The really AWESOME weekend, Part II: Back to the Summer of '69!

Bryan Adams. Live in Concert. A dream come true for many. Not so much for me, but certainly something I was looking forward to. And as the title suggests, it was awesome!

My growth curve since I started listening to English music was something like this:

Venga Boys --> Enrique --> Limp Bizkit --> The Rasmus --> Bryan Adams -->

Metallica --> Pearl Jam --> Pink Floyd

This is over a period of 15 years or more, so don’t be judgy :P. This is by no means the whole extent of my musical journey. I’ve only listed bands which were like, my favorites. Also, since we’re on the subject of musical tastes, I’m a huge fan of instrumental music and film scores, which I haven’t listed here.

So, anyway, my point is most of us have listened to Bryan Adams’ music at some point or the other. And a live concert is too good an opportunity to pass up! But as concert day approached, I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to go, with my cast and all. I was also unsure about the match. In the end, I went to both :D.

Harry and I took an auto to Palace Grounds, where the concert was scheduled to take place. There was a bad traffic jam, it took us ages to get there. The name “Palace Grounds” evoked images of royal gardens with a beautiful palace in the backdrop, but it turned out to be a dusty enclosure with an entrance line a mile long. I limped along and finally managed to enter the venue.

Shiamak Davar performed the opening act. It seemed quite funny to me, an Indian “singer” singing popular English songs with a dance troupe performing “arty” poses on the stage.
Disappointing start? It would only get better!

Finally Bryan and his band started playing. What a performer! His enthusiasm was contagious, and before long the crowd was singing along and tapping their feet. He performed all the songs one could expect him too, that too with the energy of a teenager (he’s 51 btw, I just checked).

Good lighting and the really cool screen behind the stage gave the concert that extra feel.

The crowd obviously gave the most enthusiastic response when he played “Summer of ‘69”, which was quite brilliant. He almost went off the stage twice before chants of “We Want More” brought him back. He ended with a solo performance with a harmonica and all. I don’t remember the song’s name, but it was beautiful music.

The concert left me with a very good feeling. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to last long. It’s surprising how heavy the traffic can be at 11 pm when something’s happening. After looking and negotiating we finally found an auto. Four people stuffed in an auto with blaring Kannada music. That was enough to make me forget the Bryan Adams’ feel, but it was an experience in itself :P.

Of course we were starving by the time we got back, and resorted to the ever reliable chai-biscuit to contain our hunger.

But it was an amazing night, and an amazing weekend.

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There’s not much point in trying to describe how I felt during the show when I can show you what I saw :D.

(Video Link)