Our Picks From Pune NH7 Weekender Day 2

The Ed’s All-You-Can-Catch Sched

Mode7 ”“ 3-00-4.30pm ”“ Pepsi Dub Station

We’re keen to check out former Bay Beat Collective DJ’s debut solo project Mode7 kick off the festival with dark, bass heavy tunes off his first EP In Faded Days.

Modern Mafia ”“ 4.10-4.50pm ”“ Bindass Restless Fully Fantastic Stage

Depending on how you break it up, you’ll either catch the Mumbai pop rock act’s set right from the start or just before they step off stage. The band recently won the band hunt that got them a spot on this stage edging out hardcore punk band The Riot Peddlers, who were close competition. The four-member Modern Mafia released an EP titled Random Sheep earlier this year.

 Listen to “Arnie” here

Shrilektric ”“ 4.40-5.30pm ”“ The Dewarists

Bassist and multi-instrumentalist Shri Sriram’s acoustic electronica project made its debut last year. You’ll probably catch him playing his bass with a violin bow, the flute and some loops all in the span of 10 minutes.

 Listen to Shrilektric’s “From Heart To You” here

Pangea ”“ 5.20-6.10pm ”“ Black Rock Arena

The Mumbai prog metal act Pangea made their stage debut at the ROLLING STONE INDIA Metal Awards this year. Formed in 2007, the five-member band has already won a following for their symphonic sound and layered tracks. The band released their debut album Snails Are When I Was Young last year. 

 Watch “Every Photo Doesn’t Have A Ghost” here

 

Mou ”“ 5.30-5.50pm ”“ The Other Stage

The Bengali singer was to take to stage soon after Rabbi Shergill was launched in 2004. We’ve waited eight long years for this. Mou Sultana’s songs in Bengali take on abortion, abuse and female emancipation. The feisty singer makes her India debut at Pune Weekender, so don’t miss this set.

Shantanu+Swanand ”“ 5.50-6.40pm ”“ The Dewarists

Now if only the good folks at NH7 could fly down Zeb and Haniya for this set. Composer Shantanu Moitra has been making magic with lyricist and singer Swanand Kirkire since “Baavra Mann.” Moitra has a keen ear for folk music and Kirkire can riff off on everybody from Kabir to Kafka. 

Watch “Pinjra,” Shantanu Moitra’s Coke Studio@MTV appearance featuring Swanand and Bonnie Chakravarty

Driving Lolita ”“ 6.10pm-7.00pm ”“ Eristoff Wolves Den

The three-member band from east London has been making EDM heads turn since 2010 even as it channeled electronica, pop, R n B and rock ’n roll. Put together by former BBC 1 radio producer and drum and bass fanatic Dee Dhanjal, the band has Graziella on vocals and Abrar Hafiz on guitar.

Watch “Run” here

Big Scary ”“ 6.10-6.50-Bindass Restless Fully Fantastic Stage

It’s cruel but we’re torn between two sets again. As Driving Lolita wreaks havoc at one end of the fest, Australian indie act Big Scary builds a quiet riot. Vocalist Tom Iansek and drummer Jo Syme got together in 2006, and have won over audiences across Australia with their gentle, stripped down sets. 

Watch “Leaving Home” here

Trilok Gurtu ”“ 7.00-7.50pm ”“ The Dewarists

You need some quick gear shifts to catch both Gurtu and Buraka Som Sistema

Buraka Som Sistema ”“ 7.10-8.00pm ”“ Eristoff Wolves Den

The three-member band from Portugal fuses electronica and South West African music to create what they describe as “electro ghettotech.” Rui Pité (DJ Riot), Andro Carvalho (Conductor) and Kalaf Ângelo got together in 2006 and have been putting on banging sets since. Slip into your most comfortable pair of shoes and get ready to jump.

Watch “Kalemba” here

 

Bombay Metal Project ”“ 7.40-8.50pm ”“ Black Rock Arena

With its artist line-up, we are sure the mosh pit will be nothing short of brutal as 15 metallers take turns performing their favorite songs. 

The Manganiyar Seduction ”“ 9.00-10.00pm ”“ The Other Stage

The grand spectacle that is The Manganiyar Seduction is the brainchild of theatre director Roysten Abel, who came up with the idea of setting up an installation inspired by Amsterdam’s red light area. The ensemble, which includes over 40 Rajasthani folk musicians, delivers a striking, soulful performance every single time.

Watch The Manganiyar Seduction at Delhi’s Purana Qila in 2010

The Supersonics ”“ 9.00-10.00pm ”“ Bindass Restless Fully Fantastic Stage

We’d go for this one even if we’ve been to all their gigs. But the skill is in dividing this slot. Begin with The Supersonics and end with The Manganiyar Seduction, since the latter picks up force midway into the show and it’s the stunning climax that packs in all the seduction.