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Gig review/ Billy Kilson Trio

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BY NARENDRA KUSNUR Billy Kilson Trio/ Live in Mumbai Genre: Jazz Details: Tata Theatre, January 31 Rating: ***** In his formal half-jacket, enjoying his chewing gum, eyes wandering into distant space, Billy Kilson looked straight out of a Christopher Nolan film. He sat behind his drum-kit like a king, moving from gentle feather-touch flourishes to sudden energetic tom-tom bursts within the blink of an eyelid. And he had like-minded company. Pianist Geoffrey Keezer and bassist Essiet Okon Essiet completed the Billy Kilson Trio, bringing their own brand of genius and virtuosity to the table. While it wouldn't be fair to compare this show with other great jazz performances Mumbai has witnessed over the past year or two, Saturday night's gig at the Tata Theatre stood out for its sheer artistry and soul.  The great music was accompanied by nostalgia too, as Kilson recalled how the great pianist Ahmed Jamal had told him 40 years ago to visit India, and yet, this was his first tour of...
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Naren's indie round-up/ Jan 2026, Ep 3

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BY NARENDRA KUSNUR Two Summ/ We Are (EP) Genre: Percussion meets electronica Label: Self-released, available on Bandcamp Rating: **** Percussionist Viveick Rajagopalan has done some very interesting experiments using the mridangam, his core instrument. In Ta Dhom Project, he has blended Carnatic rhythms and konnakol (spoken syllables) with hip-hop. And in Two Summ, he and Anantha R. Krishnan, also a mridangam player, have conceptualised tunes that blend percussion with electronica. Two Summ's new EP We Are contains six tracks that are strong on groove, blending intricate rhythm patterns with cutting edge electronic samples and different vocal styles. Joining the mridangam players is Harmeet Manseta, a keyboardist who makes deft use of the electronic work here. The title track has a strong hook, and 'Little Secret' smartly blends bols with hand percussion. 'Maya' has English lyrics and 'Magnolia' with its soothing melodies and konnakol interlude is reminis...
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Gig review/ Linkin Park at Lollapalooza

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BY NARENDRA KUSNUR  Linkin Park/ Live@Lollapalooza, Mumbai  Genre : Nu metal Presented by : BookMyShow Live Details : Mahalaxmi Race Course, January 25 Rating : **** (Pictures courtesy: Lollapalooza India Instagram page) In the end, does it even matter? The area around the Budweiser stage was left in a complete mess after the Linkin Park show at Lollapalooza, with beer cans and 'papercut' cups littered all over. Those entering the men's loo became 'numb', almost 'faint', seeing the 'overflow' caused by clogged urinals. For the 'points of authority', it doesn't even matter. The nu metal giants won hearts, after all, fulfilling the dreams and tickmarking the bucket lists of many fans who even came in from other cities. Some grew up on the Chester Bennington phase, on songs the frontman released till he committed suicide in 2017. Others knew them 'from zero' only after Emily Armstrong joined as vocalist in 2024. Most of them loved M...
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Gig review/ Yungblud at Lollapalooza

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  BY NARENDRA KUSNUR Yungblud/ Live@Lollapalooza, Mumbai Genre: Punk-rock/ alternative  Presented by; BookMyShow Live Details: Mahalaxmi Race Course, January 24 Rating: *** 1/2 Picture courtesy: BookMyShow  Around 8.25 pm on Saturday, towards the end of his set, British star Yungblud announced, "You guys want 'Zombie'?" It was a song that a good chunk of the audience knew, and they happily sang along. Those who didn't know it gaped at the stage like zombies, more mesmerised by the sheer spectacle. Yungblud's performance on Day 1 lasted only an hour. But the man wowed the crowd with his sheer energy and showmanship, as he pranced barechested around the stage, even did the crowd-surfing act, and won hearts by saying that he loved India so much he'd come every year. Yet, it wasn't a perfect set. The sound was awry in the first 10 minutes, and his nine-minute 'Hello Heaven Hello' lacked the impact one experienced on his album Idols . That guitar ju...
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Robbie Williams/ Britpop

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  BY NARENDRA KUSNUR Robbie Williams/ Britpop Genre : Pop-rock Label : Williams/ Farell, licensed to Sony Rating : *** 1/2 For those who thought British star Robbie Williams was lying low for a decade, releasing only a Christmas album In 2019, the news is that he's back. Known for his attitude issues and enigmatic persona as much as his music, the singer takes you back to the glorious 1990s with his new album, suitably titled Britpop . Two things immediately strike you. Robbie still has that penchant for writing catchy melodies and addictive hooks, a trait he showed earlier on songs like 'Angels', 'Rock DJ', 'Better Man', 'Come Undone' and 'Feel'. Secondly, he's invited some surprise guests, including Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi, his Take That partner Gary Barlow, Deep Purple's Glenn Hughes (who sings back-up on the opening number 'Rocket') and Gaz Coombes of Supergrass. Iommi's guitar spells clearly lift 'Rocke...
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Naren's indie round-up,/ Jan 2026, Ep 2

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BY NARENDRA KUSNUR  Swanand Kirkire/ Aise Na Humko  Language & genre: Hindi, love song Label: Self-released  Rating: *** If the song involves Swanand Kirkire, one can be assured that the lyrics are of a high standard. On 'Aise Na Humko', he does the composing and singing too, making this a good all-round effort. Adding to the aura is Rishi Punjabi's black n' white video, starring the pretty Saiyami Kher and charismatic Gulshan Devaiah. The love song is well-shot and well-rendered, the sound blending ghazal and jazz flavours with a simple ballad-ish style. Swanand sings, "Aise na humko dekhiye, aise na muskuraiye, jo mil hi gayee hai ab nazar, aankhein ne churaiye". The production by Shrey Gupta and Bharath is subtle, going with the romance of the words and tune. This is Swanand's fifth independent single and it works. Maati Baani feat. Vela Ghani Bhil/ Mannde Ji Mala Language & genre: Kutchhi, folk-fusion  Label: Self-released  Rating: **** Folk-fu...
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Blues for Bandland

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BY NARENDRA KUSNUR Dear BookMyShow Live Team We know all your answers, and we understand your plight. Bandland, the two-day festival in Bengaluru, was cancelled after Muse backed out. John Mayer's January 22 show in Mumbai was postponed to February 11 because of unavoidable circumstances. You tried your best to salvage the situation. The economics weren't working out. You will give a refund. You apologise. Great. We accept your reasons. All are valid. But is the matter over? Look at the rock fan's plight. If they were from Mumbai they would have booked their Bengaluru flights and accommodation for Bandland in advance. Likewise with people from Delhi or Kolkata who already booked their John Mayer tickets. Getting a refund from the airline would mean a loss of Rs 8,000 or more. If they had booked their hotels, there would be a further loss. So anybody coming in from other cities - and there's a pretty large number, we're sure - would lose a substantial sum for no fau...
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