SUNDAY STARTED QUITE slowly, then the Sarvanaasham came again (Sarvanaasham means an apocalyptic bedlam type scenario). They sound checked again, actually I think they were just enjoying the stage and our rather haphazard approach to letting bands on it (if there is no one on the stage just get the first band around you up there and when there is live music people dance and have fun, even if it is the same tunes as last time). That was around midday and they were followed by the Silver Rain, who again had trouble with their leads and stuff, the venue filled up again nevertheless.

 

The Manthan performed possibly their first gig in front of an audience and were great, doing a mainly Hindi/Urdu set including some Junoon and Nusrat Fateh Ali songs. I used to play in a very similar band in England where I am sure they would go down very well, on the mela and wedding scene. They gave a very strong performance and even got the majority of the blissed out audience singing along on a few numbers. Really nice people, they saved the show by donating their high quality guitar leads after all ours went missing, meaning that the bands who were having trouble could make less unwanted noise, that is the spirit of a festival.

 

Many of the bands had started going home, and the jamming started early, again kick started by the Nomads Frequency. Then, Arpan got up, plugged in his strat and started shredding and squealing like it is 1987, Naveen joined him and they worked off each other wonderfully. Then, I got itchy fingers and mellowed things out a bit with a relaxed bass riff. Sorry, I am getting old. I lack adrenaline. I remember getting a lovely psychedelic groove going with Sunny, and then I was called back to the sound desk. The Silver Rain did their set proper, then the Highways, a young band sharing various members with Cards. I had difficulty with their sound, what with so many people on stage and no amplifiers, but they sounded loads better than the sound check the night before.

 

It was dark and things had gone all jammy again, with Varun giving it some power on his drum kit and Arpan doing metal, I noticed the pretty Highways lady had left her bass on stage and no one was playing it so I returned to the stage. Blimey! The tension in that machine was mad, she must have fingers of steel. I am very out of practice. I felt lost in the frenetic youthful groove. The will to perform was there but all the talent gone. ‘I used to do this for a living’ I thought, and there were people shouting my name, very off putting. I called for my bass which had been being passed around all weekend, I think everybody played on it at some point during the festival. Anyway my bass came, I did a quick tune up and found I could just about squeeze into Varun’s tight young pocket, played in E till my fingers hurt then left to get back to the mixer.

 

Everybody got fifteen minutes on stage that evening. In the pre-dawn period after most people had gone home or to bed, Will got up with two Nomads, and made lovely pleasing music, he looked so relaxed on the stage it was almost like he built it, which he did. He played some of his own, a few Devendra Banhart tunes and at least one Ben Harper, wonderful, relaxing, pretty music, The Nomads were so sympathetic, never overpowering his delicate guitar technique and sweet voice. We should have done this earlier when there were more people. I went up with my guitar and supported him quietly, the sun was coming up and there were only maybe 20 people left in the venue, but the show was a success, a lovely end to a magical festival.

 

The bus had not turned up that night, with the excuse, ‘Oh no you only paid for one way, it is twice the price of last time.’ How can people be so nasty? We had to arrange for a load of taxis to get people to Delhi, which we still have not paid for. May be if you feel like being vindictive, give them a ring and call them rude names. If, on the other hand, you feel like being nice, please send cheques to Ajay.

 

Monday, up early, maybe after two hours of sleep, people were asking for money and telling me how I went wrong, what we/I should do next time. Most of the people with the advice only turned up on the Monday, and did not see any of the show, we just did it wrong. Possibly the colour of my skin had something to do with my complete incompetence? I know I should not play the racism card but as the only videshi on the scene (to my knowledge) I cannot help wondering. Is it this difficult for everyone? I have read a few reviews, a few hundred very happy customers have emailed, the blogs all look good, and all the musicians had a wonderful time.

 

I cannot really comment on the absolute slanging we got in the Hindustan Times review, but it really upset me. Was she at the same festival everybody else was? Did she know what was going on? Why does everyone here seem to have a fixed idea of what a rock show should be (i.e.: big, glossy and corporate)? We had some beautiful music and everybody had a good time. I know the fact the Parikrama were not involved really pissed some people off, but although they are good guys basically, they should not have the monopoly over Indian music events. They were busy and we simply could not afford them. Give us a budget and we will create a masterpiece. And, please take whatever people say about us with a pinch of salt, I have heard some very strange and nasty rumours about myself.

 

In conclusion, big thanks to all the musicians involved - hope I have not offended anyone in my writing, and all the punters who made it a lovely experience. We had some amazing moments that no one who was there will ever forget. We will do it again, with or without help.