On August 28, city gets set to rock

The 23rd installment of I-Rock is going to be the biggest yet, with five cities taking part

The 'Woodstock of India' is back again with an even bigger bang than in previous years, and now it's Mumbai's turn to rock on. For four days, beginning August 28, rock bands from all over India will be playing to a frenzied crowd; the climax will take place on the last two days — August 30 and 31 — with finalists pitting their riffs against each other to claim the winning title and participate in the 'National Victory Lap'.

This year's Independence Rock XXIII will witness rock bands from five cities — New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and two new entrants, Kolkata and Pune. Mumbai will be represented by Zero, Scribe, Demonic Resurrection and Faith. Already, feelings of nostalgia are rife as this will be one of Zero's last performances before its band members part ways.

Farhad Wadia, founder of I-Rock, says, "The very idea of the Independence Rock festival is to provide a platform for talented local rock bands that have the potential to make it big." In fact, this rock festival was the platform for many of the country's now famous rock bands like Mirage, Orphean Revival, Indus Creed (formerly Rock Machine), Brahma, and Pentagram.

Sahil Makhija, one of the organisers, says, "This year, it will be bigger than ever, as it involves five cities. One of the major attractions is the reunion of the band Agni - under a new name, Agnee." Last year's I-Rock winner, Scribe, will also be performing on the second day. And to add to the hype, they will be giving away free copies of their new album.

Pune and Kolkata, though new to the I-Rock scene, have received an overwhelming response. Wadia adds, "Pune's response was fabulous, though the response at Kolkata was a little tepid, but that was because of a bomb scare."

More than 40 bands will be performing in Mumbai, and new acts are set to give the old ones some serious competition. Says Makhija: "Scavenjer Projects, the winner from Kolkata, is showing a lot of promise; the band will be a tough act to beat."

More than 8,000 people are expected to turn out for the four-day rock festival; the braver ones have reserved a place in the Mosh Pit.

Sukruti Tyagi, a bank employee can't wait to let her hair down. She says, "I have already got my passes and I'm planning to take the day off. I want to see Superfuzz performing, they are my idols."

For many, like BPO employee Ankur Sharma, I-Rock is a trip down memory lane. "I used to have a rock band in college, but that's in the past. Now with work and hectic schedules, these four days will take me back in time to those good old college days."

As the competition is on a bigger scale this year, Mumbaikars are looking forward to the challenge. Shruti Shrivastav, a media professional, says, "My friends and I have already bought our tickets, and we will be there for all four days. I am looking forward to the competition, as only the best will compete".

It's been a long journey as far as I-Rock is concerned. This is the 23rd year of the festival, and veteran bands have an alternative take to it. Girish Bobby Talwar, the bass player for Zero, says, "We performed for the first time in 2000, and the only difference I can see is that it's become bigger now. It's a multi-city affair, and the enthusiasm of the audience shows that rock will never die."

Harvard Pereira, guitarist of Depth, a new band, says, "I-Rock has been here for so long. And the chance to get to play in front of so many people is a victory in itself. I don't have any expectations, but it will be great if we make it to the finals. It's not about the competition, but the immediate connect with the crowd, which most of the bands are looking forward to."

So the countdown begins. As Wadia says, "The motto of this festival is 'Keep Rocking'." Mosh on!
p_sugandha@dnaindia.net