Here’s what I saw at the Metallica concert which was to happen in Gurgaon. I reached the venue around 15:30 hrs. There were huge queues lined up to get tickets. These were apparently people who had booked tickets well in advance but for some reason never got them via the post. My tickets had arrived in time via courier and I was thankful for that. The gates had not been opened and the people queued up for tickets were actually blocking the paths to the gates. Twenty minutes of hanging around, we heard a euphoric roar and assumed the gates had been opened. I am told now by some who were right in front that the rush actually caused the gates to break down. Puts a whole new meaning to “gate-crashed”.

By the time I got to the gates, the crowds were definitely dense but moving along slowly and orderly. Most seemed in a great mood and I did chat with a bunch of kids who were simply ecstatic and excited at being there. No chaos at all, huge crowds, broken gates (which were made of cloth and a tiny wooden frame) minimal security and checking, and we were all in.

About ten minutes later came the first announcement. A polite “we are having technical difficulties” and a request for the crowd to step back. Then some minor confusion started, announcements to sit down, stand up, move back, almost seemed like a PT class.

When the request to step back did not receive the expected results, the announcements got nastier, “Step back or we’ll call security”. And then some poor bloke came in and made a humble request in Hindi which received a thunderous roar but apparently still no result.

One totally obnoxious announcement from possibly a band member, cursing and promising to NOT play if the crowds did not move back. Finally, we were told that the front barrier was broken and that unless people step back Metallica would not perform.

Almost two hours later with nothing else being communicated other than the same message of “technical snag” and “step back” we were told that the show was cancelled. Oh! wait, not cancelled just postponed to tomorrow 16:00 hrs.

This is the only point at which there was some mild chaos, plastic bottles were flung on stage and irate fans did scream, shout and curse but it was no more than that. As the crowds started exiting, about 10-15 guys managed to get on stage and smash things around. One can only hope the damage was not too much and that we do actually get to see Metallica perform.

If not it, would be a real pity.

IMHO, the organisation was the pits. Arrangements were totally miserable for the size of crowd that was there. I also believe the crowd was extremely well behaved. The largest collection of black t-shirts and blue jeans I have seen at one time. Age group ranging from 4 yrs to 60 yrs. Patiently waiting to listen to music. Like a large family picnic.

My feeling is that something else was wrong and they tried blaming this on the crowd. I wish DNA would come clean and tell us the truth…for Nothing Else Matters!

Cheers…Kishore
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Not enough can be said about the music, you just have to listen to it. The really cute gesture, if you do go out and buy a CD is the fact that it comes with a give-away CD with 2 tracks so that you can introduce others to the music as well.

While at the concert, I just wanted to sit back, or stand up and enjoy the music, I was carrying my camera and decided to take a few shots. My flash decided to misbehave so most of the shots were then taken without flash and since I only had my kit lens, the results were not that great. Just a few record shots:

I certainly had a good time, if you get a chance to listen to their music on CD or live, don’t miss up the chance!

Cheers…Kishore
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PS: Although its tough to pick a favourite track, my current two favourites are the two Kannada ones

gudugudiya sedi nodo (kannada): Raghu’s rendition of one of the poems written by Saint Shishunaala Sharif, a 19th century spiritual poet of North Karnataka, South India. Shishunaala is popular for his simple metaphors to explain intricate philosophies of life. This song urges the listener to smoke a Hookah (a smoking pipe) to understand how one should lead life! Open the small cloth bag called mind, pull out the hash called greed/lust, crush it in a chillum called faith and light it with a fire called intelligence, Smoke that Hookah, he says.

Its happening right here in Gurgaon, but people don’t seem to know about it. The little business hotel on way into Gurgaon, Fortune Select has some great music and musicians but not enough people coming in to listen. I saw the hoardings a few weeks ago and I was curious, later when on a routine visit to my Doctor, he recommended relaxation by beer therapy and Jazz, and I heartily agreed.

If you like music and specially Jazz, then you must definitely visit. It does get a bit full on Friday nights and they are closed they take a break on Tuesdays but the rest of the week, JAZZ ROCKS!

Cheers…Kishore
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