This story is from August 29, 2007

Rock 'n' roll times ahead

TNN / Aug 29, 2007, 00:00 IST

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This winter will be dedicated to rock music. As big events are planned, DT explores whether the city has given up its love for Punjabi pop

This winter will be dedicated to rock music. As big events are planned, DT explores whether the city has given up its love for Punjabi pop This winter will be dedicated to rock music. As big events are planned, DT explores whether the city has given up its love for Punjabi pop This winter will be dedicated to rock music. As big events are planned, DT explores whether the city has given up its love for Punjabi pop doweshowbellyad=0;

WANT TO BREAK FREE: Rock music fans (TOI Photo)This winter will be dedicated to rock music. As big events are planned, DT explores whether the city has given up its love for Punjabi pop From Punjabi bhangra numbers to death metal rock music - the paradigm shift in the music circuit of Delhi has been tremendous. Though many aver that the performers are being paid peanuts and the Delhi audience is not zestful enough to enjoy international music, there are a few who are making the capital a rocking place, literally. While the fests have already started in the city, come October and the city will turn into a rock haven with concerts lined up till January. DT brings you the details.
PUB GIGS TO GALA EVENTS
The people behind these events feel that the status of Delhi as the poor cousin of Mumbai and Bangalore, when it comes to rock music and hosting international performers, needs to be changed. Siddhartha Talwar, co-owner of Café Morrison, says, "The pubrock culture is fast catching up in Delhi. To make the scene even better, we need gala events that can give Delhi a makeover in terms of music."
Aniruddh Goswamii, member of the band Level9, believes that this is a very encouraging sign for the bands. "While the earlier gigs had bands performing the same old famous numbers, the listeners now are willing to embrace live performances and original compositions. Earlier even the gigs were restricted to the autumnwinter season, but now with these big events lined up for Delhi, the rock music scene is sure looking up."

MUSIC & MONEY
Considering all such shows may cost anything from Rs 1.5 to 2 crore, are they financially viable? One of the organisers, Sanjay Tripathi, says, "We are promoting music keeping in mind the trendy youth of the city. Delhi is outgrowing its status as the hub of Punjabi pop and rock is gaining currency. If we want international artistes to come to Delhi, we need to project it as an international city and music is the best way to do it. That is inspiration enough to invest and back these musical events."
And what's more, these will help the bands do better too. Says Dhawal Mudgal, lead vocalist of the band Half Step Down, "Though the scope of this kind of music is still restricted to youngsters and college crowds, big organisers and financers coming onto the bandwagon will help a lot."
THE BIG THREE
Pink Floyd's classic We Need No Education will be interjected with the elements of theatre to come up with 'concert theatre’. Says Rahul Pulkeshi of IDreamTheatre which is behind this experiment, "Drawing inspiration from Pink Floyd's album Walls, we are doing a concert on the multitudes of walls that exist in our society and constrict us."
The show will have 25-30 bands performing, a cast of 100 actors and will go on for 20-30 days. "The whole drugs, sex and rock 'n' roll thing will be larger than life on the stage," adds Pulkeshi.
Ring Road Gig is another creative idea that's waiting to materialise. Talwar says, "We are still finalising the details with the Delhi government as we faced a few roadblocks. When it comes through, it will be a first of its kind show in the city."
Meanwhile, the city's Woodstock event will obviously be inspired by the 1969 cult show held in New York. Stanley Vaz, the brain behind the event, says, "Unlike the death metal music that is slowly catching up with Delhi's music lovers, this event would showcase the melodious rock of the 70s and the 80s. Discussions are on with many international bands for participation."
Rock the party
Rocktober (October): Musical fiesta - on the lines of the Beer festival of Germany - comprising Indian and international jazz, blues and rock bands. It would include the Ring Road Gig, starting from South Extension and ending there too.
Woodstock Event (November): Inspired by the 1969 Woodstock festival, this one would feature some of the old bands playing the rock music of the 60s and the 70s.Tyris from Boston, Simple Truth from Germany, Miller Khaningham from the US may be seen performing here.
Concert Theatre (January): Pink Floyd music combined with theatrical presentation would mark this 20-day long festival.

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