Photos: Siddharth Basrur’s solo show in Mumbai

Siddharth Basrur at Blue Frog. Photo: Monisha Ajgaonkar

When the second track of the night [also the encore] is introduced [and reintroduced] as one that was written while sitting on the pot, you’re not sure what to make of the gig. Scatological references aside, Siddharth Basrur’s “Light Up My Life” recalled a John Mayer B side. Mumbai-based Basrur is a competent vocalist, who has won much praise and following for both his solo work and his role in the alt metal band Goddess Gagged. The audience gradually swelled as proof of the vocalist’s draw. Some even made it to the front of the stage to shout out their approval turning what seemed like a listless Tuesday night gig into somewhat of a success.

One of the best renditions of the night was an original titled “Rain,” that had enough hooks to convince the audience that Basrur held promise. The audience didn’t have too much time for the originals to sink in though since Basrur packed in the covers. Temple Of The Dog (“Hunger Strike”), Gnarls Barkley (“Crazy”), Adele (“Rollin’ In The Deep”) and a couple of same-sounding originals later, the show seemed to slump.

It was Basrur’s night to shine alright, despite a few members of the audience hoping that Pentagram’s Vishal Dadlani or The Lightyears Explode’s Saurabh Roy, both of who were in the audience, or Spud In The Box’s Rohan Rajadhyaksha, who seemed to have turned roadie for Basrur, may just be roped in for a collaboration on stage. But this was not to be. 

Basrur is most appealing when he takes a detour from the road where Eddie Vedder, John Mayer and Sting all seem to meet head-on. 

Photos: Monisha Ajgaonkar

Check out photos from the gig here