Big platform for a young band

Appreciative audience

The third edition of ‘Ray Ban Never Hide Sounds 2013’ took place at Hard Rock Café recently with fusion maestro Benny Dayal and Mumbai-based Hindi band ‘LIFE’.

The ‘Ray Ban Never Hide Sounds 2013’ campaign is a way of celebrating one’s ‘Never Hide spirit’, which allows musicians to completely be themselves and freely express their beliefs and personality.

Though the crowd expected Benny’s music to come to the fore, the singer only accompanied the band for a handful of songs, including Munniya, Paisa, Tauba, ‘Peekaboo’, Badtameez Dil and Rajni, a song on Rajanikanth. It was quite crowded on stage, given that there were six members up there at any given time.

But the energetic band passionately performed their original compositions like Anjaana, Sun Re More Piya, Barson, Des Mera and Aazaadi alongside a few covers like Teri Deewani and Iktara.

Vikalp Sharma, the band’s vocalist and guitarist, says that it was a pleasure performing with Benny, who allowed the young band to be the focus of the show and did not take requests for his own songs. “It was a great opportunity for us because we got to showcase our music and people actually liked it. This was the first time we played in Bangalore or in South India in general. We were skeptical about the response but it was a packed house right from the beginning and people really got into the music.

Plus, we were really glad that the cops didn’t come and stop our set half-way!” shares Vikalp. He adds, “Since we have songs for all age groups, people danced to peppy numbers like Munniya, the conventional metalheads of Bangalore enjoyed heavy songs like Aazaadi and the rock ballads like Sun Re More Piya were enjoyed by the audience.”

The crowd seemed to have a good time throughout the show. “It was a refreshing change to see a Hindi band performing in the City. Since they weren’t playing Bollywood songs, we were unfamiliar with the music. But that gave us the chance to appreciate it more,” says Janaki, who attended the concert with her friends. Vaishnavi, another audience member, adds, “It’s always good to see Benny perform. The music was very different and nice to listen to. I loved the song on Rajanikanth.”