Gig Preview: The F16s to play at Blue Frog

The F16s
Photo: Courtesy Siddharth Dugha

It’s only been a year and a half since the five-member band formed, but The F16s from Chennai, who also featured as part of our Artists To Watch Out For have built quite a following for themselves. They’ve played across the country including Nagaland at the Hornbill International Rock Contest, where they won second runners-up. Last month, the band took home the Best Emerging Band award at the Jack Daniel’s Annual Rock Awards and they’re back in Mumbai this week to perform some brand new material.

Their newer songs are darker and moodier than “My Shallow Lover” and other tracks that featured on their debut album Kaleidoscope, which was released last year. The freshly recorded “Lunarzep”, “Ausenberg,” “Palladian Park” and “Drag Dance Disco” are among the new tracks that The F16s will perform in Mumbai. Says guitarist Abhinav Krishnaswamy, referring to their show last year at Live From The Console organized by Sony Music India’s independent music label Day 1, “We were happy with the crowd response the last time we were in Bombay. The turnout was spectacular and they took to the music really well.”

The band has written an album worth of songs already and are also in talks with producer Miti Adikari, who is famous for his association with artists ranging from the Foo Fighers to James Blake. Says Radhakrishnan, “He’s very keen on working with us. We might go to Kolkata and track there, or we’ll work with him in Chennai. The album should be released by the end of the year.”

The F16s include vocalist-guitarist Josh Fernandez, guitarist Abhinav Krishnaswamy, bassist Shashank Manohar, keyboardist Harshan Radhakrishnan and drummer Vikram Yesudas.

 
The F16’s will play at Blue Frog, Mumbai on March 5^th.
Entry: Rs. 350 post 9pm or Rs 1000 (full cover)

Q. What is the name of the F16’s debut album?
Send in your answers with your name and phone numbers to editor@rollingstone-india.com, with ‘Lightbulb’ as the subject.

Each ticket only entitles the winner entry to the concert and not food or beverages. The contest is only open to readers in Mumbai.