Once once more, the Mahindra Independence Rock pageant can be held on the Bayview Lawns in Mazgaon, Mumbai. For old-timers who’ve repeatedly attended the occasion on the now-defunct Rang Bhavan, and even those that later went to Andheri’s Chitrakoot Grounds, the brand new venue has been a whole departure, with all of the costly whiskey, a menu of pizza and burgers as an alternative of vada pav and chai, and lawns that missed the grass. The music was the identical, after all, and the favorite bands performed as soon as extra.
Now we enter the pageant’s 30th yr and the third yr since I-Rock grew to become Mahindra-ised. But earlier than we discuss of the line-up, right here’s a quick on what occurred in 2022 and 2023. The first yr noticed an assorted mixture of acts enjoying Angrezi rock, desi rock or Anglo-desi rock. Thus, bands like Thaikkudam Bridge, Avial, Parvaaz and Bloodywood shared the stage with veterans Parikrama and Indus Creed. Last yr, the organisers determined that the older listeners had one set of favourites, whereas the youthful lot most well-liked excessive metallic. So they ready a line-up that segregated the 2 – metallic on the opening evening, and classic-ish rock the subsequent day. Farhad Wadia, who began the pageant in 1986, was seen within the type of a life-sized cutout in 2022, however was bodily very a lot current final yr.
Since I-Rock is celebrating its 30th yr, it has been themed ‘Dirty 30’ this yr. Rock, rock, who’s there? On first look, the line-up looks like a reversal of final yr’s plot, because the classic-ish bunch play on the primary day (November 16) and the metallic monsters make the best noise 24 hours later.
Motherjane |
The spotlight of Day 1 ought to be the looks of Kerala bands Motherjane and 13 AD. A mix of progressive rock and Carnatic influences, Motherjane is understood for its 2008 album Maktub, although it has been a dwell favorite because the late Nineteen Nineties. In what’s being described because the mom of all reunions, 13AD is reuniting after 28 years to play their model of laborious rock.
Other opening night bands embrace Girish & The Chronicles, fronted by the sensible Girish Pradhan, and the Topiwalleh creators Swarathma, who will play with ‘friends’ Bhayanak Maut, Parvaaz, Sidd Coutto and guitarist Sutej Singh. Finally, get able to be ‘trapped’ by rock n’ roll renegades Indus Creed.
13 AD |
The second night guarantees tens of millions of decibels from Bloodywood, with its mix of nu-metal, folk-metal and what-hear-you, and the Bombay Metal Project, a collective of the town’s loudest metalfolk. Also gracing this ‘awaaz ki duniya’ can be Chennai band Skrat and experimental rock group About Us from Nagaland
For the file, seven of the bands showing this yr, together with the ‘friends’, have carried out throughout the earlier two years at I-Rock. And 4 of them will seem on the Bandland rock pageant in Bengaluru on November 23 and 24. Does that imply the identical set of bands are being pushed, or is it as a result of solely these many acts are able to enjoying at such festivals, or is it as a result of they’ve extra aggressive managers and PR expertise?
One can’t pinpoint a purpose. But if one hops throughout Mumbai golf equipment like AntiSocial, the Stables or Finch, or some cities the place Hard Rock Café nonetheless exists, one clearly hears many different acts that deserve an even bigger pageant platform. They are simply not observed by the related individuals. The solely new act this yr is About Us. One additionally appears to be like ahead to the outcomes of the Headbanger battle of bands contest. It’ll be nice to listen to some contemporary sounds there.
Over the years, I-Rock has constructed up a faithful following. It has an illustrious story, from the time Farhad Wadia set it up until when Rang Bhavan was shut down until its present avatar. This journey is greatest captured within the first episode of the Disney Hotstar documentary collection Sab Cultures. It can be worthwhile to examine it earlier than starting the trek to Mazgaon.
