Snarky Puppy Hit All the Right Notes at Mumbai Gig

This past weekend on December 2nd, Mumbai’s Bayview Lawns witnessed two incredible performances. One by Edinburgh power rock/funk trio High Fade and the other from American Grammy Award winners Snarky Puppy. With a show in Gurugram the following day, the two-city tour for both acts was organized by Paytm Insider in partnership with Hyperlink Brand Solutions.

The scenic backdrop at Bayview Lawns is one of the best settings in Mumbai to host a live music event. The gig kicked off at about 7:00 pm with High Fade taking to the stage in blistering form. The trio – comprising guitarist-vocalist Harry Valentino, bassist Oliver Sentance and drummer Calvin Davidson – were at their pulsating best as they delivered their distinctive blend of vintage 70s and 80s vibes, seamlessly fusing funk, rock, pop, and disco. Infused with an infectious style and unparalleled energy, High Fade’s performance also showcased plenty of dynamics and dexterity. The band’s hour-long setlist included tracks such as “Burnt Toast & Coffee,” “Fur Coat” and “Lifes To Fast, Lifes To Slow.”

With a half-hour break after High Fade’s set, attendees had a chance to head over to the food and beverage area for refreshments and also to catch up with friends. The festive atmosphere at the venue made for quite a treat to be at.

Soon, it was time for American jazz fusion outfit and five-time Grammy Award winners Snarky Puppy to hit the stage. The 11-piece group – led by bassist Michael League – opened their set with material off 2022’s album Empire Central, with songs that included “Keep It On Your Mind,” “East Bay” and “Bet.” Next, the band performed “Xavi” off 2019’s Immigrance. More material off Empire Central followed in the shape of “Cliroy,” “Pineapple” and “Belmont.”

The band then rounded off their 90-minute performance with songs off 2014’s We Like It Here such as “What About Me?,” “Shofukan” and their magnum opus “Lingus,” for which they invited sitar player Purbayan Chatterjee to sit in with them on the song. Blending diverse influences such as jazz, rock, world music and funk, Snarky Puppy incorporated unique accents from around the globe through their immersive performance. From tight rhythm sections to free-flowing solos, incredible musicianship and more, the band thoroughly delivered a great evening to their fans. League joked about how it had been almost 10 years since they were last on Indian shores, and he promised not to wait that long before they were back again.