I don’t normally write about music, because I think I am not well-equipped to write about it. But inspired by my dear friend and fellow blogger M…..l and by the events of Friday, I am compelled to write this post about one of the delightful pleasures of life.
There was a rock concert scheduled near my home, yesterday (Friday) night, at a small amphitheatre. This beautiful and cute amphitheatre had somehow leapt into existence while I was sleeping. I didn’t even know that it existed, till I went there to see a play last week, though it is just five minutes walk from my home. The surprising thing was that it is next to a wonderful cafe, where I have been a few times (this cafe called the ‘Tryst Cafe’ has the best chocolate eclair that I have tasted in recent times. It also has the softest croissants around. You can find an article which raves about Tryst Cafe, here). This cute amphitheatre is actually out in the open, surrounded by a cafe, a clothing store, a home store and a furniture mart that one doesn’t even notice it – it just proves the old adage that when you want to hide something, leave it in the open and no one will notice it. Atleast I didn’t. When I did, it was one of the delightful surprises of life.
So, I went to this amphitheatre to listen to the concert. I haven’t been a rock concert recently (and to even concerts in general) and so was looking forward to it. The band which came to perform was called ‘Off the Record’ and was made up of young musicians. The lead singer Shakthi, had a rich voice with a wide range. It was awesome the way she effortlessly took her voice to a pitch which was high, ‘higher’ and ‘highest’ and then brought it back to ‘ground-level’ again. When I asked her after the concert how she did it so effortlessly, she said that she was a classical (Carnatic) music singer too. It is interesting, isn’t it, how talented people port their creative talent from one area to another. The lead guitarist, Vikram, joined in the singing occasionally, and played the guitar like a genius. I was hoping that the band would play Pink Floyd’s ‘The Wall’ and he would extract the maximum out of his guitar, but unfortunately, the band didn’t play that song. The bass guitarist Satish played his role excellently and the drummer (forgot his name) played the drums like a genius and his competition, or rather his (musical) conversation with the lead guitarist, was a treat to watch. The band members poked fun at each other, goaded each other during the performance and seemed to enjoy each other’s company and success – an excellent display of teamwork and teamspirit.
The band played some popular numbers, some classics, some of my favourite songs and some songs of the Beatles – which was a big hit among the audience. They even played their own ‘modern rock’ version of the Beatles’ song ‘With a little help from my friends‘. Some of the other songs they played were ‘Ride Sally Ride‘ (Wilson Pickett), ‘I Shot the Sheriff‘ (Eric Clapton), ‘Black Velvet‘ (Alanah Myles), ‘Long Train Running‘ and ‘Good Love‘ (John Mayer).ย Interestingly, one of my favourite songs of the evening was ‘Another one bites the dust‘ (Queen), which I hadn’t heard before – odd, because it seems to be a big hit and is by Queen.
The band also sang compositions of their own and I liked all of them. My favourite out of their compositions was ‘Time machine’. I would love to post links to some of the original compositions of ‘Off the Record’ but I am not able to find them. If I do, I will post links to them in the near future.
One of the interesting things about the concert, was that the members of the band didn’t attempt to dance while singing – even though it was a rock concert – though they displayed a lot of energy on stage which looked like they were dancing. It was normal behaviour by an Indian rock band, and the audience probably didn’t notice it. But it is interesting for me to compare this with the behaviour of a Chinese rock band. (One might ask the question – why compare with a Chinese rock band? Why not with an American rock band? Or a British rock band? Or a Russian rock band? I know, I know ๐ For simplicity sake, I will take a typical Chinese rock band as an example). In a typical Chinese rock band, if the lead singer is a lady, then sometimes she is probably more renowned for her dancing than her singing – it is an odd thing, I know, but that is the way it is. I knew the members of a Chinese rock band once, and sometimes during the break in-between the performance, I used to chat with the lead singer and the keyboard player. The lead singer was a beautiful lady, but her voice – in terms of its range and melodious quality – was average. But she tried to make it up by dancing on stage. Once during our conversation during interval-time, she confessed that she enjoyed dancing more than her singing! I also remember the Chinese government releasing a commemorative postage stamp for one of the leading Chinese women pop stars and how there was a lot of protest about it – many said that her singing was average and she was more popular for her dancing on stage and she didn’t deserve that honour. It is interesting isn’t it, how music manifests itself in different forms in different cultures – where in some cases the magic of the voice is supreme, while in others a physical expression of the song takes precedence?
Unfortunately, I didn’t carry my camera yesterday and so I couldn’t take any picture or video of the venue (Gatsby Village) or the concert. So, this post can only be a word-picture. I will remind myself to carry my camera next time. This amphitheatre is a good place to spend an evening with one’s family, friends and loved ones – sitting on the grass, enjoying the soft touch of the sea breeze which wafts through the palm trees, munching on a chocolate eclair or a cake and listening to some wonderful music. If you are passing through my city sometime, do let me know. I can take you here.
I have to say one more thing. After listening to the concert yesterday, I feel proud and jealous of the young generation today – for their talent and the way they showcase it, for their confidence and their fearlessness.
Thereยดs a Gatsby village? How fantastic! I envy you this cafรฉ, it sounds so perfect and the descriptions of the pastry in the article made my mouth water. Sounds like I need to go to my favorite cheesecake bakery today ๐
Itยดs weird how we sometimes donยดt notice things right in front of us, but now you know and will probably go to this theatre often. The concert sounds great, I find singing more important than dancing, too. But itยดs because a great voice can touch me more, emotionally. Probably comes from listening to Whitney Houston and Aretha Franklin as a child.
Yes ๐ The Gatsby village is cool ๐ When I go there next time, I will try to post a picture.
Cheesecake is so awesome ๐
Yes, the theatre was really hiding in public view. I am glad I discovered it. I was pushing the manager to organize an event during the coming Friday too ๐
I agree with you on singing – a great voice is wonderful and divine. I also like it when singers dance, but I liking their singing more.
Sounds like a lot of fun. As you probably know, there’s little I enjoy more than a live music performance. I also enjoy writing about my experiences at concerts. Whether it’s writing about what happens on stage or in the audience or before or after the show, there’s always something I want to share in a post. It’s also a lot of fun to read about the concert experiences of other people.
Your post was very interesting to me. Mostly I kept noticing the little differences between how things work where you live and what I’m used to where I live. The main thing I noticed is that I’ve never eaten a chocolate eclair at a concert! There’s one supper club-type venue I visit when I’m in Seattle where I can eat a quality dinner while watching the performance, but there’s very rarely food served at the concerts I go to. Sometimes the big outdoor venues will serve junk food like hotdogs and buttery popcorn, but that’s about it. A venue where you can eat delicate pastries sounds very classy.
Also, dancing is generally frowned upon from the performers (and sometimes even the audience). I can think of a couple female singers who dance a bit, but I think it’s mostly because they don’t play an instrument and feel the need to do something when the other band members are playing theirs. Of course, now that I think of it, the concert I went to last week featured a male singer who actually left the stage and danced around in the audience. I’d never seen that before, I can assure you.
One last thing…I find it hard to believe you’d gone your entire life without hearing Queen’s “Another One Bites the Dust”. I thought that was one of their worldwide hits. I don’t know anything about the pop charts in your country, though. Maybe songs that are big in the U.S. or England don’t always make it out your way. I used to love that song when I was a teenager. I don’t listen to Queen very much anymore, though.
(By the way, the bass line to “Another One Bites the Dust” is sometimes used in CPR classes. It’s supposed to be the same speed as the chest compressions.)
Wow, I’ve really rambled with this comment. Sorry about that. I had a lot to say and don’t think I said even half of it. I think I’ll post this as is and go back to bed. I’m kind of sleepy.
Glad to know that you enjoyed reading the post ๐ I love reading about your concert experiences and also discovering new music and singers through your posts.
It was interesting to know about the concert venues you go to. The one I went to, is quite small and a cafe is attached to it. It has wonderful eating options. But for bigger bands which attract big crowds, concerts typically are held at bigger outdoor venues where eating options are limited – like you have written, they might serve simple sandwiches, hotdogs or popcorn.
Now that I think of it, I have rarely seen men singers dance on stage or join the audience in dancing. I have seen only women singers do that. I think the reason that you have given for that, might be true. However, I didn’t know that dancing by the singers was frowned upon.
Yes, I know – I have been through my entire life till now without listening to Queen’s ‘Another one bites the dust’ ๐ฆ But I have heard it now – better late than never ๐ Enjoyed it too! Interesting to know about the song’s connection to CPR classes – that is really interesting!
In my place, people still have a soft spot for the classic songs of old times and so bands indulge them.
Sounds wonderful! I miss going to concerts. Haven’t been to one for ages.
Glad to know that you liked the post! Hope you get to go to your favourite concerts soon ๐
I’m a big proponent of live music, and this sounded fantastic! I truly believe that music, when done in the right way, can explain the world in a way that words simply cannot. It can also change the world in significant ways.
It sounds like it was a great evening, and I’m very jealous I don’t have a Gatsby Village anywhere near me!
Glad to know that you too love live music, Ben. I liked very much your comment “music, when done in the right way, can explain the world in a way that words simply cannot.” Very beautifully put ๐
Gatsby village is really nice – I will try to post pictures when I go there next time.
Live performances make my heart dance! Like you, I’m a little envious of them, how so much opportunity they have been given as compared to myself/my generation (maybe we are in the same one?). At the same time, I also feel wonderful about it, being in between, as if I am part of something that has come and gone, and then also of something that is yet to come.
Glad to know that you too love live performances, Claire ๐ I liked very much your comment about being part of the past and the future at the same time ๐ It is a wonderful position with a rich perspective, isn’t it? Very beautifully put ๐
I should clarify something. I wrote that dancing singers are generally frowned upon. Well, mostly it’s me doing the frowning. Maybe other people like it.
I understood that when I read your first comment ๐ I have to say that I really enjoyed reading your long comment ๐
What a musical post! Enjoyed reading this. Gatsby Village and Tryst Cafe all sound straight from a 1950s American novel, hard to believe its right there in Chennai! I will definitely take you up on your offer if I come to Chennai sometime again ๐ …
Glad to know that you liked the post, Swati! You are welcome to visit here ๐
I love “Black Velvet”. Back then I think it’s such a cool song. Lots of female angst, rock chick stuff.
I’m happy to hear your favourite song is “Another one’s bite to dust”. Queen is my all time, I mean all time favourite band. Freddie Mercury came from your motherland and I’m so very proud! ๐