Photos: Kasauli Rhythm and Blues Festival 2014

Uday Benegal performs with Indus Creed at the Kasauli Rhythm and Blues Festival 2014.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Genesis Foundation

Every year, the Kasauli Rhythm and Blues Festival is as much about music as it is about getting away from the madding crowds and scorching temperatures. Nestled in the quiet Baikunth Resorts, the festival drew to a close this month with fantastic performances and an impressive turnout.

Blues rock band Ministry Of Blues delivered one of the best performances of the festival, with lead singer Philipe Haydon proving that he’s as adept on stage as he is in the boardroom as the CEO of a herbal pharma company. Rock veterans Indus Creed performed with their new bassist Krishna Jhaveri, adding crowd favorites like “Top Of the Rock” and “Pretty Child” to their set. Pop rock singer Caralisa Monteiro performed a smooth, unapologetic cover of the classic Guns ”˜n Roses song, “Sweet Child Of Mine,” with Nitin Malik of rock band Parikrama. Folk rock band Lagori launched into a high energy set that had the audience cheering for more. Adi & Suhail performed tracks from their brand new album Culture Code Landscape, with Bollywood singer Shilpa Rao stepping in as a surprise guest artist. Acoustic rock band Whirling Kalapas performed with their new drummer Ashwin Andrews of Orange Street fame, including a cover of “Lazarus” by Porcupine Tree in their set.

With a venue so spectacular, almost everything is bound to sound great. As Indus Creed’s frontman Uday Benegal put it: “This is probably the best venue that we have performed at in 20 years.” And if that kind of tall praise wasn’t enough, blues rock band Soulmate were inspired to create a new track titled “The Kasauli Blues Song” while they performed. Until next year, here’s a peek into how the festival unraveled.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Genesis Foundation [Photos 1-9]; Shiv Ahuja [Photos 10-16]

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