Bodies packed shoulder to elbow to shoulder, the smell of fresh cut grass and smoke, voices raised in unison to celebrate the magic of music – to say that NH7 Weekender began with a bang would be an understatement.
The very first day had headlining acts like God is an Astronaut and The Contortionist. Old faithfuls Mahesh Kale, Mohini Dey and Aswekeepsearching came back to their favourite festival and Benny Dayal & Funktuation and Salim Sulaiman had the audience dancing to their beats.
While Aswekeepsearching and Benny Dayal reeled in quite the crowd, it was ultimately the final act of the day that people had come from all over the country to see.
THE STARS FALLEN ON THE STAGE
An eerie blue light enclosed the stage as Torsten Kinsella and his fellow bandmates took the Bacardi Arena stage. By the time they began playing All is Violent All Is Well, there was an odd hush that enveloped the crowd.
Odd murmured conversations broke off midway, cheers mellowed out as the audience fell under the spell of God is an Astronaut. A fog of constant smoke from the machines kept the band separate from their audience. Though the light show, as much a part of the concert as their music, dazzled the eye with vivid greens, blues and flashing whites, many an audience member had their eyes shut, immersed in the tunes.
Of course, when the band announced crowd favourites like Forever Lost or Suicide by a Star, there would be a burst of applause and cheer. But the real impact of the music was felt in the silence that permeated during the softer interludes.
THE MISFITS
Like most concerts and music festivals, this one too had its share of people who didn't quite seem to fit in. People taking selfies at the Bacardi signs while the headliners played their hearts out, children under the age of three and even the odd puppy could be spotted among the crowd.
The only dampener was in the form of security who, though they didn't manage to catch the smokers, hassled the stragglers, even the ones eating dinner.
Overall it would seem that NH7 is off to a promising start. With Joe Satriani around the corner, we're sure to see the enthusiasm and musical madness return over the weekend.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Synopsis of NH7 Weekender Day 1 in Pune")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}