Gig Review : Swarathma at HRC B'lore

This is the sixth time I’m seeing Swarathma live, and it was definitely not the best gig of theirs. The band has sort of templatized (word we use in the corporate circles which means ‘to make a template of’) their shows. So like the plot of most romantic Bollywood movies, you know what to expect. While they did try and change things around a bit this time, by trying new things, it wasn't overly different from their previous gigs. That’s not to say it wasn't a fun evening.

Swarathma at NH7 Weekender B'lore 2012

The band started the evening with Aaj Ki Taaza Fikar which got the crowd grooving along. The band went on to play some of their classics which included Duur Kinara (the collaboration with Shubha Mudgal from the first season of The Dewarists), Ee Bhoomi, Koorane, Sur Mera, Topiwale and their trademark Pyaar Ke Rang where Vasu Dixit mingles with the crowd on the Rajasthani horse.  There was a rather interesting limerick shared by bassist, Jishnu – 'Shaadi ke pehle ladka ladki bane love birds.... Shaadi ke pehle ladka ladki bane love birds... Shaadi ke baad ladka ladki bane angry birds.' (I’m unsure if it was the beer, but that line had me in splits.... which is odd considering I’m not married).

The band did try to change things by going all acoustic on Bolo Kya Hain . During the course of the evening Swarathma introduced the crowd to a few new songs and a new video. The new video for their song Rang Zinda Hain was premiered at the Bangalore show. Not the most memorable video I've seen. I don’t want to be the grouch who trashed the first time effort of the team that put the video together, so I’ll just leave it at that. The band also played their latest collaboration of Naane Daari , which was done with Delhi-based electronic act Dualist Enquiry. While the crowd was going crazy dancing away, I’m yet to cozy up to electronic music. 

The evening closed with a new tapori-esque song of the band called Haste Rahenge which they said would be available on their website for a free download.  Yup, you heard me, free download.( Somewhere a pirate just died). The crowd kept demanding the band play Pyaasi, but the infamous 10 PM witching hour of Bangalore was upon us. An entertaining evening , but not a very memorable one.  Unfortunately, I managed to successfully delete all the pictures of the evening from my camera for which I am giving myself a time-out by standing in the corner.

Here's a older video of theirs to keep you company.