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Photo: Sampath Kumar g.p.

COMING OF AGE Most bands played original scores

Focussing on Indian rock bands and original compositions, Whiplash provided the perfect platform for talent and despite the average sound quality, long sound checks and blazing heat (it was an all-day contest), the enthusiasm levels both in the mosh pit — which expanded as the sun went down — and the general audience, was unmistakable. With popular Indian band Bhoomi headlining the event, 11 bands selected out of 29 entries from all over the country performed. Illuminati won the Rock category and Inner Sanctum took home the prize for the best Metal Act.

College festivals, it seems, have come of age (what with another college — a rather affluent one at that — managing to bring Boney M to perform in the city). Yet, two things set this one apart from the rest. Firstly, the fact that most of the bands, both the college acts as well as their more seasoned counterparts, played original compositions. Colleges, in the past, have been infamous for inviting Indian bands and insisting that they play only covers. With festivals such as Whiplash, all that is set to change.

And secondly, the more important and exciting part: yes, the awards! In terms of money, several contests can give this one a run for its money; however, what probably got the bands turned on is the fact that the winner (Illuminati who won hands down in the rock category with a high-energy performance) will be opening for the Def Leppard Concert on May 16. The organisers of the Def Leppard concert, E-18, were the sponsors for the day, with The Hindu as their media sponsors. Nolan, frontman of Kryptos and Sujay of Bhoomi were the judges of the event. While the Metal acts were largely Thrash or Death, most bands played originals with very few covers. Each band played an average of four songs and while some acts seemed painfully long, the better ones seemed all too short.

Hot weather and too much dust in the air is not conducive to head bangers – especially if the sound is not up to the mark and the work uninspiring. Though the hard core fans continued to mosh and even sing along, most of them just hung around seeking refuge in the shade of the shamiana. Spirits rose as the temperatures dipped, as did the quality of the performances and even the sound wasn’t so unbearable anymore. Hanging around for all 11 performances is quite impossible, but I was lucky to catch both the winning bands. Inner Sanctum, winners in the Metal Category, were not so tight, but managed to get the evening started. Though the response was nothing exceptional – the band has some stage presence and did a decent cover of Arch Enemy.

Illuminati certainly took the cake, with an energetic Venky, perhaps the best in terms of stage presence, connected excellently with the crowd, and even managed to make it sound decent. Though they took a whole song to get the sounds right, they sounded good and their “Use protection” number — with the moans and the very politically incorrect lyrics — worked well with the audience. Even the disinterested Rock ignoramuses hanging around the basket ball courts, seemed to be interested as well as amused with Venky’s antics and spunk.

Bands such as Grubby Halo and Spitfire were good and among the tighter acts and seemed to have quite a fan following.

Though Spitfire seemed to have some timing problems on the drumming side, they managed to pull it off with some good guitars and originals.

No smokes, no alcohol, not enough black t-shirts and none of the frills of a rock show; the ice-lolly man and chaat stalls – not to forget the “100 percentile CAT coaching stall” — the place looked like an amateur college carnival crossing over to make its mark as a rock concert on par with the kinds held at Palace Grounds.

The organisers say that the police gave their management express instructions to conduct this festival at Palace Grounds next time around. Considering that it took a while to find parking space and was more of a public concert (not restricted to college students), this may just be a suggestion worth taking seriously!

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