MUMBAI: While Bangalore festival Rock Ethos was known for its steady flow of beers and offering revellers a unique experience last year, this time (14, 15 March) the authorities didn’t allow the organisers to serve alchohol.
Those who attended the event said the turn-out, around 5000 on both days, was less compared to last year. The showers on the first day also affected the turnout at this two-day event.
However, there was one band that would have enjoyed playing the most amidst a comparitively ‘clean’ atmosphere. Divine Connection, a well-known gospel band from Nagaland, performed alongside 20 other bands from different parts of the country. The band stands out because of their idealogy which believes that young people can enjoy good music without indulging in sex, drugs, alcohol and violence.
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Apparently, the band’s influences range from Queen, Harem Scarem, Deep purple, Iron Maiden, Pantera and Metallica – most of them known for their infamous involvement with the very things the band does not believe in. Divine Connection was also the first to represent the North-East states at â€?Rock Ethos’this year.
The band played songs from their debut album ‘El-Roi’ that thrilled the audience as well as their their own contemporaries at the music festival. After its album release ‘El-Roi’ has received good reviews from the listeners, the song â€?My All’ is becoming a major hit among their fans. “The band is tight, very tight and plays everything from metal to jazz. They have some great musicians onboard,” said a reveller.
After some line-up changes, Divine Connection has now entered into its fifth year and has been performing at places like Shillong, Guwahati, Delhi, Bangalore, and extensively in Nagaland and Manipur. The band’s members include Obed Kath (Vocals), Yanpothung Lotha (Drum), Mhathung Odyuo(Bass), and Lichen Kichu(Guitar).
Rock Ethos was sponsored by Kingfisher, DNA, Radio City, Planet M and Cafe Coffe Day.
