Popular Indian and international artistes will jam together for a concert dedicated to drums; they are also using the platform to tell Mumbaikars to step out and vote today
(Back row, first from left) Kurt Peters, Gino Banks, Rhythm Shaw, (front row, second from left) Swarupa Ananth and Pete Lockett (front row) with a few women at Shivaji Park
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Last year, for the first time in India, a one-of-a-kind musical event dedicated solely to the drum set was organised in Mumbai. And the second edition of Mumbai Drum Day is likely to be bigger and better. Popular national and international drummers will come together to showcase their versatility across multiple genres at the February 23 gig.
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Rhythm Shaw
A sound vote
The group of performing artistes have a crucial message to give Mumbaikars on polling day. They have dedicated the performance to encouraging Mumbaikars to cast their vote today. "We need to have a say in how our city is run. And we need to decide who is the right person for the job. To make that happen, we need to come out and vote. We are creating this awareness through the Mumbai Drum Day concert, as it is happening around the same time," Banks says.
Gino Banks
The event boasts of an impressive line-up, including celebrated English percussionist Pete Lockett, drummers Gino Banks and Kurt Peters, and percussionist Swarupa Ananth. Musicians Lydian Nadhaswaram, Rhythm Shaw and Sonu Sangameswaran will also be part of the show.
Pete Lockett
Explaining the purpose behind a show like this, curator Banks says, "I always wanted to experience a concert dedicated to the drum set. It happens all over the world, so why not in India? The idea was also to offer a platform to local talented and well-known drummers from around the world. It also brings the drums, which is primarily an accompanying instrument, to the forefront."
Strings attached
Unlike last year, the event will see a couple of guitarists performing solo acts, and later accompanying the drummers for some renditions. "For this edition, we have Rhythm Shaw, who is supremely talented and is a young master on the guitar. He will dazzle the crowd with his solo gig. He will also be joining me for a duet piece of acoustic guitar and drums," says Banks, adding, "Sonu on the electric bass guitar will make audiences groove. He will also play with Kurt. Bass and drums laterare the foundation of any music; they go hand-in-hand."
Since it is an instrument-only event, how will the performers ensure it doesn’t get monotonous? "The vast variation in everyone’s music will engage the audience throughout," assures Banks.