Musically, and strictly just that, Bacardi NH7 Weekender Pune 2015 was one of the more stupendous editions of India’s happiest music festival. The Sherp staff, still reeling from the hangover from the music we heard, decided to pick our favourite acts from the festival.
Superior names dominated this year’s Bacardi NH7 Weekender Pune Lineup. There were the homegrown regulars we’re so used to seeing and loving – Madboy / Mink, Nicholson, The Raghu Dixit Project, Dualist Inquiry, Swarathma and Soulmate; the indie additions making Weekender a veritable source to unchartered music – Hidden Orchestra, Pierce Brothers, Soul Clap, and Erotic Market; and all the glorious star-list from A R Rahman to Flying Lotus, from Mark Ronson to a Vishal Dadlani-led Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan tribute, from Mogwai to SBTRKT. It’s hard not be left feeling mighty overwhelmed, as most of us are in office today.
So we decided to change things a bit for this article. Instead of talking about who worked and why, we are here to tell you why each one of these acts stood tall making it to the list of The Sherp’s all time favourite festival performances.
Expect some candid, honest fan-girling.
Erotic Market
Who
Day 1 of Weekender Pune has always been a slow affair. Despite Mogwai having been chosen to close the evening, there was little enthusiasm for the other acts. All it took was one non-decrepit French noisy nu RnB act, Erotic Market, to win the crowd over at the Breezer Beat Camp stage. With pop garage sounds, liberated moves and eponymously erotic lyrics, free of control, they had their audience in a tizzy.
Why
Principal vocalist Marine had us in trance with every break-move she’d amusedly attempt with every note she hit with perfection; it wasn’t music that Weekender audience was prone to listening. In fact, it wasn’t music anyone thought they needed at all. Sweet vocals erupting to clandestine lengths which, despite being mostly French, were met with loud cheers of encouragement. Bass and illicit pleasure, hand in hand, this band!
Meher Manda
Erotic Market definitely drew me in with its quirky tunes, but that wasn’t all. Something about the gorgeous woman, her accented English, and her eccentric, flamboyant performance made Erotic Market really stand out.
Sanjana Ajith
True its name, Erotic Market sold its unabashed eroticism to me in a heartbeat. The frontwoman, Rosemary Martins (I looked her up later) was like a vivacious little tornado on the stage. This proved to be one of the best sets at the festival.
Anupama Khedkar
(Source: Jeethendra Saran | Festival Sherpa)
(Source: Bacardi NH7 Weekender Facebook)
Mogwai
Who
Post-rock legends Mogwai were eagerly awaited at Weekender this year. Not only were they to be the first premier post-rock name of reckoning in the country, but also the act that was meant to infuse into the Friday of day 1 some much needed energy. So, quite obviously, expectations ran high. But where they met?
Why
Often, at live performances, exceptional performers are cheated because of sound that just doesn’t fit right with their textures. With Mogwai, I was apprehensive of the same happening all over again. Except, the band was at its tightest best. The band’s symphonic melodies sat well with Pune’s resident chill making it an evening that would imprint on me for a lifetime. We do have a little complaint about the audience in attendance. But let’s save that for another article, shall we?
Meher Manda
Mogwai was spectacular, expectedly so. What still amazes me is how much and with what intensity the band is able to connect to its fans with almost no lyrics, and minimal crowd interaction. It was quite extraordinary.
Anupama Khedkar
(Source: Bacardi NH7 Weekender Facebook)
Rodrigo y Gabriela
Who
Mexican, flamenco rock guitarists Rodrigo Sanchez and Gabriela Quintero are no strangers to be counted as among the very best. Having collaborated with Hans Zimmer earlier, and performed to Barack Obama at the White House, their folk-inspired rock guitar tunes were eagerly awaited at The Dewar’s. But what came off it, was absolutely magical.
Why
I’ve often noticed that wordless music, if not dance music, often struggles to keep its audience connected, especially at Weekender. A feat Rodrigo y Gabriela pulled off with the same ease they masterfully played their guitars with. The crowd danced, applauded and air guitared to their tunes, and I’ve never felt so proud of the people in attendance.
Meher Manda
Two musicians jamming on acoustic guitars may not sound very exciting, but to watch Rodrigo and Gabriela live was exhilarating. The amount of energy and sheer skill they brought to the stage was mesmerizing.
Anupama Khedkar
There’s always that one act that stands out every year at Weekender, and for me Rodrigo y Gabriela was this year choiciest pick. Watching two self-proclaimed metal enthusiasts, maniacally strumming at their acoustic guitars, thus performing their own version of nuevo flamenco was as much a delight, as it was amazing. I refuse to get over how flippin’ great they were.
Dhriti Menon
(Source: Jeethendra Saran | Festival Sherpa)
(Source: Jeethendra Saran | Festival Sherpa)
Niladri Kumar
Who
Niladri Kumar has been a revelation to the world of contemporary Indian classical music. Having fused the sitar with the riff capable of a guitar, to play a hybrid known as the zitar, he performed to a packed audience with a natural flair, really seen. With the legendary Gino Banks accompanying him on the drums, it was incredible through and through.
Why
Indian classical music rarely sees the kind of chutzpah displayed by Niladri Kumar on the NH7 platform. At one point, the icon refused to pick his sitar, choosing instead to play it with one hand as he teased the crowd with that surreal show.
Meher Manda
(Source: Bacardi NH7 Weekender Facebook)
Ustad
Who
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan is, undoubtedly, one of the crowned jewels of subcontinental music. His music has been attempted time and again on programs such as Coke Studio and Nescafe Basement. With Vishal Dadlani being chosen to put together and curate a tribute program, with a handful of singers, puritans and experimentatives, alike, were intrigued at what would come to fore.
Why
Let us, for starters, thank Vishal Dadlani for choosing the strongest voices for the Ustad tribute. It was fitting to hear Richa Sharma, Harshdeep Kaur, Shekhar Ravijani and Vishal, himself, pay their respects to the legend in the choicest fashion. With exceptional backing instrumental talent, the performance was replete with goosebumpy moments, galore.
Meher Manda
Having been to NH7 for 4 years now, I’ve always felt that the Dewarists Stage somehow represents the essence of what the festival conveys. And Ustad brought this feeling to life by sticking to roots, but also fusing styles in the most interesting manner. In my mind, it somehow stood for all the amazing acts I’ve seen on the stage in four years.
Sanjana
I was extremely apprehensive about this particular act. In my personal experience, tribute sets have almost never lived up to the expectations. But Ustaad didn’t disappoint. The set was moving and well-executed in its entirety. There was a surprising influx of genres that could have made the set a circus but it didn’t. Instead, everything fit right into place with a touch of eclecticism.
Anupama Khedkar
(Source: Bacardi NH7 Weekender Facebook)
Soulmate
Who
Soulmate is India’s best blues rock band at the moment, with a vocalist, who is arguably, India’s answer to the genesis of rock music, itself. Tipriti Kharbangar and Rudy Wallang bring together a force of music that is undeniably some of the very best in the country. They returned to the Pune stage to the Bacardi Arena and delivered an astoundingly good performance.
Why
Every note that Tipriti hit, and every time Rudy spoke-sang like Bruce Springsteen, Soulmate was off the charts. They started on a sombre note, with a few colloquial artists for company, but with their departure, they resumed those towering vocals and riffs that makes Soulmate the band it is today. Our only complaint? Ending under an hour, it was too short for a Soulmate maverick like me.
Meher Manda
When I heard the female vocalist of the band sing, I couldn’t help but feel goosebumps. It’s not a feeling that I can put in word, but it was definitely one of my Top 2 acts at the festival. Soulmate’s unadulterated rock and blues feel got me pumped for the rest of the night.
Sanjana Ajith
I can say this with utmost certainty – Tipriti Kharbangar is a rock n roll goddess. This fact remains undisputed and is reinforced with every Soulmate performance. This wasn’t the best Soulmate set I’ve ever watched, but it was definitely phenomenal.
Anupama Khedkar
(Source: Bacardi NH7 Weekender Facebook)
Hidden Orchestra
Who
Joe Acheson’s musical project that is Hidden Orchestra is a live performance of electronic brilliance. Employing musicians on drums, electronic violin, synth and mixing, it is an enduring show of genius. Taking the Breezer Beat Camp on Day 3, the band delivered an audio-visual spectacle to a crowd of surprised new-fans.
Why
From the coherent to discorded drum sessions, to the violin programmed to sound like a synth, to the many textures continuously creeping in, thanks to the live producer, to the gorgeous beat-powered rhythms and to the variance, Hidden Orchestra was every bit one of the best acts to steal the show at Weekender this year. I’m a fan!
Meher Manda
Hidden Orchestra’s set is at its brilliant core the very reason I love music festivals. I didn’t go into it expecting anything; I hadn’t listened to their music before. But I simply stood there, entranced, as the synth-heavy, bass-driven complexity of their music washed over me. It was serendipity.
Anupama Khedkar
(Source: Bacardi NH7 Weekender Facebook)
SBTRKT
Who
The masked dubster took to the Breezer Beat Camp stage, right before Flying Lotus’ closing set on day 3, and delivered a performance that was all parts dance-worthy, even while it was extremely tight.
Why
If you’re someone who enjoys experimental post-dubstep or electronica, watching SBTRKT live can be quite the treat. Armed with his trademark ‘mask’ and an explosive set list SBTRKT absolutely nailed it, in terms of bass music for Weekender. Apart from dishing bangers like Wildfire and Pharoahs, the man had the innate ability to keep people dancing with his awesome remixes of contemporary rap and hip-hop chart toppers like Hotline Bling, U Mad (by Vic Mensa and Kanye) without making them sound cheap and gimmicky. I was quite surprised by the crowd that gathered to watch him live. It may not have been packed, but the stage was substantially filled with bass-enthusiasts who seemed to be truly enjoying themselves grooving to his supreme version of bass.
Dhriti Menon
(Source: Bacardi NH7 Weekender Facebook)
A R Rahman
Who
Whether you think Weekender sold out to Bollywood’s Rahman, or whether you think his is the greatest addition of all time, everyone must agree that A R Rahman in an absolute revolution in Indian music. And his performance was the most anticipated, with a crowd gathering like the festival has never seen.
Why
This was easily my favourite act of the Pune Weekender this year. And this is not to say that I don’t have complaints. I was almost entirely confident he would end with Vande Mataram, which he didn’t. And I could have definitely done with fewer songs from Rockstar. But as the crowd was losing its sh*t, Rahman somehow managed to remain true to himself, his musical genius and powerful voice towering above all else. With a small, knowing smile, he acknowledged his fans who sang every single word of each song with him, while absolutely killing it as he sang, played and performed.
Sanjana Ajith
Musically sound, captivating and crowd-pleasing is exactly how i would describe AR Rahman’s performance at Weekender, Pune. Pulling out all the Bollywood big guns like Nadaan Parindey, Dil Se, Rehna Tu and such, the man pretty much had every audience member’s undivided attention, and with such ease! It was a true and honest delight to see the living legend belt out all these fantastic tunes.
Dhriti Menon
(Source: Jeethendra Saran | Festival Sherpa)
Flying Lotus
Who
The diverse hip-hop and electronic legend that is Flying Lotus was the closing headlining performance at the Breezer Beat Camp stage on day 3. Stood behind a large screen emitting visuals, both captivating and metaphorical, the producer delivered an enthralling set, with even a bit of his rap persona, Captain Murphy thrown in.
Why
I will, personally, never forgive Bacardi NH7 Weekender for slotting Flying Lotus and A R Rahman at the same time. But choosing to stay at FlyLo’s gig was absolutely worth it, with the genius churning out the most experimental electronic set I have ever witnessed at Weekender from a headlining artist. There was jazz, hip-hop, rap, IDM, and crude electronica, along with generous bass drops, satiating everyone in the crowd. The visuals in particular, were not just stimulating, but absolutely thematic, truly representing black culture and art. Thank you for the set, Flying Lotus, for it was the kind of closure I hoped for from the highly invigorating Bacardi NH7 Weekender Pune 2015!
Meher Manda
The only complaint I have about Fly Lo’s set is that I wish it was longer. He came on stage repeating, “Oh, shit…” as chaos ensued, and his voice was nearly drowned by deafening cheers. The set commenced with the words “You’re dead!” flashing on the weird 3D screen behind which Fly Lo played. There is a kind of tangential beauty in his music that is simply sublime live. He rapped, he played “Never Catch Me”, he was his strange wonderful self. It was a gratifying experience.
Anupama Khedkar
