Tap, melt and groove

Day three of the 31st edition of the music festival, Fête de la Musique opened to a full house on Saturday at the Goethe Institut. The atmosphere crackled with expectation and energy. The evening kicked off with a performance by Pyjama Conspiracy, a five-member band which opted for a relatively slow start with their own version of Sexy Back and then the more popular The Caramel. It did feel like one had walked into them jammin’ in their jammies at home, but the unhurried start was justified as a build-up to their original composition Sunlight, which stood out and earned the audience approval. Vocalist Shaktisree Gopalan deserves special mention for her smooth delivery of the numbers. The band, also comprising of guitarists Toby Joseph and Roshan George Thomas, was young, fun and their tracks, endorphin-inducing. Their pianist, Leon James, and drummer, Tapas, also lent their talent to the other acts at the event.

When the next act made its way to the stage, the audience were reminded of the primary reason for them being there. Everyone wanted a glimpse of the man who has ruled YouTube and their play lists for a while now — clarinetist Shankar Tucker. Along with vocalist Vandana Srinivasan and pianist Prithvi Chandrasekhar, they formed Krimson Blend to present a medley of some beloved songs — the A R Rahman mashup in Hindi and Tamil, and a beautiful version of Aaj Jaane Ki Zid Na Karo. Vandana’s voice was soothing, Prithvi’s energy infectious and Shankar Tucker had the presence. The foot-tapping rendition of the Shantanu Moitra mashup proved they weren’t just there to make you nostalgic. While they delivered some goose bump-moments, it was quite disappointing that they weren’t prepared for an Ilaiyaraaja request. But they made up with Thuli thuli.

A recent study affirmed that people love music for the same reason they’re drawn to sex, drugs, gambling and great food. Even anticipation of good music can cause a release of dopamine as a response to an aesthetic stimulus. Now, that is what got the crowd to their feet for the next act. Singer Benny Dayal, along with Groove #3, really got the audience moving with the funk and jazz. And talk about stage presence and sheer energy – Dayal with his quirky hats and moves had the crowd involved right from the word Go. Baby you got me, Keep on trying and Nowhere to run got even reluctant feet tapping. The surprise was having Tucker join them for the track Summer Time. As he ended the night on an improvised version of Omana Penne, everyone immediately knew it was an evening well spent, one they would’ve paid for, and one that makes them believe they’ve really come into their own.