From gypsy jazz to metal-core, folk rock to trap, there was something for everyone at the World Music Day Festival 2018, in association with t2, at The Gateway Hotel on June 21. Some sang along, while others headbanged, and then there were those who danced the night away. Snapshots...
The energy levels soared to an absolute high as metal-core band Chronic Xorn set the stage on fire, performing songs such as Justice By The Act of Violence and Necropolis III from their 2017 release For These Sins Who Must Die, alongside older favourites such as Bleeding and Surge of Guilt. The audience went into a frenzy, as people started moshing in front of the stage. “This is the power of original music,” said guitarist Suvam Moitra, as he wrapped up the performance.
Gaurab Chatterjee (far right) and his friends got together to perform some all-time Mohiner Ghoraguli favourites such as Haye bhalobashi and Amar priya cafe and the performance proved why these songs have remained popular over the years. “Having been in Calcutta on World Music Day for many years now, I’ve seen several shows and concerts which are great. But I wish we could celebrate World Music Day every single day,” said percussionist Gaurab — Gabu to friends — with a laugh. “I obviously have a personal connect with these songs, and playing them with friends for a lovely audience makes it worthwhile,” he added.
Heavily influenced by the gypsy jazz of guitarist Django Reinhardt, The Big Other performed an instrumental set, comprising hits such as Sidney Bechet’s Si tu vois ma mere, more popular as the Midnight in Paris theme, alongside the likes of the Italian anti-fascist folk number Bella Ciao, ending with the celebratory Jewish tune, Mazel tov.
Singer-songwriter Rahul Guha Roy’s one-man act won over hearts, as he sang classics such as Bob Marley’s Rastaman Chant. His cover of Bob Dylan’s Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door sent the audience into a nostalgia trip.
Folk Foundation performed songs like Laal peeli and Meethey ras.
Folk and bluegrass group Mondegreen eased the mood with two original numbers penned by vocalist Nabanita. Tales of Rust was a song about “old wishes and desires and reminiscing times that have turned to rust”, while Dreaming revolved around “loving and trusting like a child”. They also performed Miles Davis’ Blue In Green and John Coltrane’s Naima.
Bangla folk pop/rock group The Miliputs belted out a couple of folk numbers, such as Ke bole manush more and Pindare polasher bon, with a rock twist. “We’ve been attending this event since 2016 and dreaming of performing here. This time we made it and gave it our best. The crowd was really enthusiastic,” said vocalist Sharoni
aka Mili.
Formed in 2015, pop/jazz ensemble MOJO brought on some indie vibes along with a healthy dose of soul, performing Tom Misch’s It Runs Through Me, alongside D’Angelo’s How Does It Feel and John Mayer’s Back To You.
Singer Mishti and her Hindi pop group Vee& Me kicked off their performance with a Rabindrasangeet (Purano shei), getting the audience to sing along with them, before moving on to popular Bollywood numbers. She went on to sing the Cadbury theme song (that she had sung for a Cadbury Silk ad), getting the audience crooning yet again.
Described by event curator Varun Desai as the “new sound of the city”, trap and hip-hop duo Trapinati (part of the The Cypher Projekt, which is aimed at promoting local urban music) got the crowd on the dance floor, grooving to some of their original mixes such as Indian Flava and Gullible, alongside popular tracks such as Mi Gente and Mundiya. “We had a great time playing here... the crowd interaction was amazing and the ambience was perfect,” the duo told t2.
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