| Kanakakkunnu, Trivandrum: The three-day long Hay Festival was brought to a thundering close with a concert by Bob Geldof, the founder of Live 8 concerts. Geldof's unfailing energy was writ upon the whole place - from his chic yellow suit to a stylish left-handed guitar. The audience had a taste of a legend doing what he does the best - making music. Starting his gig with a foot tapping Irish tune laden with rock rhythms that help define Geldof's genre "folk-rock", Geldof had the open air Nishagandhi auditorium filled with a sense of anticipation, as to what turn the concert would take. Geldof's laid back conversation with the public was greeted with a round of applause, while terming his relation with the audience as "mutually incomprehensible, with which, I feel perfectly comfortable". After announcing the song "When Night Comes In", Geldof spoke of the first time he came to India, back in 1972. Humorously commenting that no one knew him back then, he launched into the song. Geldof in concert is a visual delight - a rock and roll star, full of panache and attitude, slight in frame but towering on the stage. After that piece, he gave a short introduction to the next piece, "The Revolution", written in 1981, as a reaction to the Irish Civil War and its subsequent dilemmas. Adding with tongue-in-cheek humour that it became a hit because "the English thought it was a good dance tune and the Germans thought it was their own", Geldof and band started their next piece. The band supporting Geldof on stage consisted of Pete Briquette, his long time songwriter and bass guitarist, Bob Loveday on the violins, who switched to play the ukele for the second number, Niall Power on the percussion, Alan Dunn alternating on the keyboard and the accordion, and John Turnbull on lead guitar. A close knit group, whose amicable interaction on stage was cause of much delight, they smoothly eased themselves into a lilting waltz "Under the Harvest Moon". Singing the refrain and bringing back a quaint Irish melancholy in the midst of the incessant drumming, the half moon lighting the still sky seemed to complete the picture. |
Geldof and Sting
Geldof's next item was a milestone in his career - written in North Ethiopia, sometime around the mid 1990s, "Stream" captured the sense of futility, while underlining a tone of resistance. Starting with slow rap-seeming lines, by the time the music reached its crescendo, the crowd was enthralled. No more announcements, the music just followed. But the night was far from over.
Anisha Netto
Yentha Exclusives: Yentha Special: Hacking History Interview Of The Week: Soorya Krishnamoorthy
|
| News | Features | Columns |
Top Stories
- Civil Services Basketball Tournament Gets Underway At Trivandrum
- Exhibition Of Sketches And Sculptures
- Foundation Stone Laid For Kanjikode Railway Coach Factory
- ‘Pada Mudrakal’: Documentaries Released
- Ananthapuri Charmed In The Symphony Of Strings
- Symphony Of Strings 2012
- Edu Buzz: B.Sc (Nursing), B. Pharm In Ayurveda At Banaras Hindu University
- Documentation Of Treasure Underway At Padmanabhaswamy Temple
- Ban On Licence In Case Of Accidental Death
- Logo Of Gandhi Peace Bus Released
- Smaller Waste Treatment Plants For Cities
- Biz News: Foreshore Automation Launches Two Companies
- Anayara Rail Over Bridge: The Commuter Woes Continue
- 'An Edible Invite'
- Logo Of Thikkurissi Film Festival Released
- Strength Of Kerala Police Force To Increase
- Thampanoor Modern Bus Terminal Nearing Completion
- Muhamad Ali Adam Exhibits Paintings On His Life
- Enchakkal: Still Awaiting The Bus Stand
- Heritage Award Announced
- Edu Buzz: Applications Open For Maritime Courses
- Karikkakom Tragedy: One Year Later
- Global Ayurveda Festival Concludes
- Kerala To Be The First State To Implement Infection Control Program In India
- Women Achievers In Science To Interact With Girl Students
