Indiecision: Music Blog: Independent Music in India and Elsewhere

LIVE: ZERO @ I-ROCK, DAY 1

I always wondered why people made big deals about reunions. It seemed absurd that a band past its prime would come back to anything but a lukewarm reception and the murmurs of a guy at the back saying “Wasn’t that guy in Wham?” But all that changed on the evening of August 30.

Zero played (possibly) their final set at the Chitrakoot Grounds on Day 1 of I-Rock 2008. Preceded by what was a particularly mediocre set of performances by the competition acts, Zero reminded us exactly why they will be sorely missed.

Head downstairs for the review, pics and a largely insignificant Indiecision.

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LIVE: I-ROCK, DAY 1

Apart from the fact that this was Zero’s final gig, Day 1 of I-Rock was pretty unremarkable. Which is why Zero’s last performance gets its own post, while the rest of the acts make do with a short piece about bad lyrics and black t-shirts.

The Chitrakoot grounds are a poor replacement for Rang Bhavan and the fact that one never knows whether one will get parking there is also a pain. The competition bands were pretty mediocre across the board. Though I missed AVR, I caught the rest of the gig. Also, according to the press release I just received

‘Silvers wins the Airtel Independence Rock XXIII’

The stage was all set for India’s biggest rock phenomenon, the Airtel Independence Rock XXIII, as the finals of this grand event was scheduled at the Chitrakoot grounds in Mumbai. Silvers from Pune was declared the winners of this landmark rock event. Adding another feather to their hat was the best vocalist award which was bagged by the Silvers lead vocalist- Mahesh.

More excitement, full review and pictures after the break.

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I-ROCK BILLBOARDS DON’T MENTION BANDS

Yeah, what’s with that.

Independence Rock has been through a lot over the last two decades. Something that has grown steadily over the years though is the number of sponsors and alliances. The 2008 version of the fest sees, at last count 21 partnerships including Airtel, Compaq, VH1, Coca Cola and Lee Cooper.

Indian rock is still at that point where, when asked about bands, Joe Indian probably says Euphoria and (aur) Farhan Akhtar. So I guess it doesn’t make a difference whether Zero and The Superfuzz (name under dispute) get billboard space. But in that case, Joe probably hasn’t heard about I-Rock either and doesn’t care that this is the 23rd installment of the gig.

So what do you put on the billboards. Sponsor logos? Check. Venue and ticket details? Check. Still, Joe doesn’t give a shit. He’s not remotely interested because this is new to him, and vague. The advertising isn’t inclusive.

Is Indian rock?