Bangaloreans have been treated to the best rock bands and pop legends in recent years thanks to a happy covergence of big-ticket sponsorship from brands like Royal Challenge as well as the expertise of mega event organisers who have opened India’s doors to the international concert circuit of legendary bands and pop stars.
Sponsors like United Spirits Ltd, makers of the Royal Challenge brand, understand the power of leveraging youth icons in the music sphere. It is a perfect win-win combo for all concerned. When Sir Elton John signed on the dotted line to perform here, many wondered how the organisers would deal with the temperamental singer who was used to a fully furnished megacaravan to accompany him on his tours. In Bangalore, the event manager set up an air-conditioned cabin complete with all of Elton’s requirements. The audience sat in comfortable chairs and the honey voiced pop star took the audience through all his greatest hits – ‘Your song’, ‘Daniel’, ‘Honky cat’, ‘Goodbye yellow brick road’, ‘Rocket man’, ‘Don’t let the sun go down on me’, ‘Crocodile rock’, ‘Sacrifice’, ‘Candle in the wind’ - a two hour plus non-stop concert, just him, his piano and an appreciative and knowledgable audience.
Nearly two decades ago, when foreign bands first began making their apperance out here, organisers were at the bottom of the learning curve, running from pillar to post to obtain dozens of permissions and a license, unable to control rowdy audiences, not able to deliver on sound quality, all at sea at arranging proper parking. Thanks to the experiences of Bangalore, event managers are now able to organise world class concerts complete with state-of-the-art stagecraft and security for both artistes and the milling crowds.
Aerosmith rocks Bangalore
When The Rolling Stones swept into the city, they were accompanied by menacing cumulonimbus that thundered across the sky. It began pouring within minutes of the start of the concert, but that only fired the imagination and pumped the adrenaline of the one and only Mick Jagger. He stuck out his tongue, he swung from the stage support pillars, he thrust his pelvis like an 18 year old and he sang ‘I can’t get no satisfaction’.
Oh yeah, they loved Jumpin’ Jack Flash and his pouting lips and Keith Richards and Charlie Watts. ‘Time is on my side’, Jagger sang and nobody disagreed. ‘Ruby Tuesday’, ‘Angie’, ‘Miss you’, ‘Start me up’, ‘Mother’s little helper’ followed, in a concert that will not be forgotten for long.
Sting will be remembered for ‘Fields of gold’, Mark Knopfler for reigniting the mood of ‘Brothers in arms’, Deep Purple for ‘Smoke on the water’ and Iron Maiden for their mock tank that swung its turret across the stage as the band went into heavy metal nirvana.
And what about Roger Waters of Pink Floyd? When journalists from Bangalore interviewed him in London, he expresed surprise that anybody in India had heard his music. He came, he saw, he conquered and was overwhelmed by the enthusiasm. “I never knew Pink Floyd was a staple of pubs and bars here,” he said.
Responding with a roar, the city revealed its eclectic taste in music when the Black Eyed Peas sang ‘Shut up’ at the Bangalore Palace grounds. When Fergie cracked, “I thought we asked you to shut up!”, the crowd responded by mouthing every line of the lyrics with a thunderous applause. “You are the best audience we have played to in recent months,” declared will.i.am. And together band and fans gave face and voice to the smash hit. Let the music rock. Megadeth and many more echo that.