It’s time for the NH7 Weekender music festival! Food blogger and music columnist Nikhilesh Murthy is back with his picks of the top gigs you shouldn’t miss if you’re going! Read on to know what they are.
Ganesh Talkies: Have you ever imagined how Radiohead and BappiDa would sound together? You’ve probably not, because who in their right mind would put those two musical icons together? However, bringing such unlikely elements together is Ganesh Talkies. This 4-piece alt-rock act from Kolkata brings together their version of addictive, bold disco music that will have you dancing from the first note. With songs like Dancing! Dancing! , Monsters in your Head and Wonder Woman, the band’s live gigs are an absolute riot – a perfect early act to get you in the groove for two days of music. The vocalist, Suyasha Sengupta is one of the best female voices in India in my opinion. Check them out at the Bacardi Arena on day 1 at 4:10 pm.
Maati Baani: If world music is your thing, Maati Baani is your band at the festival. Comprising of the talented Nirali Karthik on vocals and Kartik Shah on guitars, the duo bring together numerous folk and street musicians to present a truly world sound with that bit of Indian spice coming through. I watched them perform first at the Pune festival a couple of years ago, and if that gig was anything to by, this one should be an absolute joy to listen to. The band goes up on the Dewarists stage at 4:50 pm on Day 1.
Thaikkudam Bridge: Joining the ranks of other great music acts singing in the local dialect is Thaikkudam Bridge. I first heard them when a friend sent me a link to their videos on YouTube, and I’ve been a fan ever since. Not limiting themselves to any genre, the band’s repertoire of songs spans Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi and English. The band has among the highest number of band members, and it sure knows how to rock an audience. Just check out all their videos on YouTube if you want to see the talent pool, or check them out at 6:10 pm at the Dewarists stage on Day 1.
Mad Orange Fireworks: Just out with their second album, Under the Orange Sky, Bangalore’s Mad Orange Fireworks is a live act not to miss. With simple, groovy tracks and a tight stage presence, this 3-piece band is the ideal way to get your hit of Rock music, or “Orange Rock” as the call it, at the start of Day 2. Catch material off their new heavier album at the Bacardi Arena at 3:40 pm.
Dhruv Voyage: Mumbai based guitarist Dhruv Ghanekar’s new album – Voyage brings together elegant and sophisticated elements from Jazz and Indian folk music. While the album features renowned artistes like Raul Midon, Etienne Mbappe and Trilok Gurtu, to name a few, I am very eager to see how the album translates into a live act. While this gig might not make you jump up and dance and entice you to take that selfie, it will be an absolute joy to the ears. Dhruv goes on the Bacardi Arena at 5:50 pm on Day 2.
Rodrigo and Gabriela: This Mexican acoustic guitar duo came across my radar during my ‘Metallica are God’ phase on a video where they play with Robert Trujillo on a Metallica Medley. I went on to check other videos of theirs; besides neat covers of classics like Stairway to Heaven and Orion, the original tracks from the band can give you a ear-gasm. It’s sure going to be something else to watch the duo unleash their brand of flamenco-meets-rock-meets-metal at the Dewarists stage at 6:40 pm on Day 2
Mark Ronson: While everyone will be heading to this gig just to listen to mainstream favourites like Uptown Funk and Valerie, I’m keen to check out this act because Ronson is one of the few DJs who still knows to scratch a Vinyl old-school style and not spend time holding his hands up in the air. Bringing together a lot of live elements like keyboards and horns to accompany his console, Mark Ronson’s mix of modern pop, old school disco and funk should be one big dance party to knock your socks off. 7:30 on Day 2 at the Breezer Beat Camp is where you need to be.
We hope you enjoy NH7 Weekender. We’d love to see what you liked the most about the festival, so do tag us in all your festival pictures on Instagram. For everything else Chumbak, stay tuned to www.chumbak.com!
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