Soulmate Kick Off Summer of Love Tour This Week

It’s been so long since Shillong blues act Soulmate have been on a tour that they actually took stock of their entire setlist in the meantime. Guitarist and vocalist Rudy Wallang says, “We have over 250 songs that we can choose from. It’s going to be 20 years of Soulmate next year.”

Co-vocalist and guitarist Tipriti Kharbangar says at one point that they can easily play a six-hour set, given all the material they have – their own as well as their takes on blues essentials. “That’s how long we’ve been starving for!” Kharbangar adds.

Starting June 4th in Gurugram, Soulmate will head out on their Summer of Love tour, put together by Bengaluru-based music management company Overture. So far, they’re confirmed to hit Bengaluru on June 9th, Hyderabad on June 10th, Pune on June 11th, and close the first leg of shows in Mumbai on June 12th. Wallang doesn’t miss his chance to talk about how much has changed since the pandemic for venues and the touring infrastructure for live bands in India. “We understand it’s not easy at all. It’s really like sticking your necks out for us,” he says, hoping that people come out to pack the venues.

Although Soulmate have been performing on and off since the pandemic, this is their first tour supporting their 2020 album Give Love. They lament the lack of momentum, but remain excited about being back on the road. Kharbangar admits she’s not been playing guitar much during the pandemic. “My fingers were paining during rehearsal, but Rudy was like, ‘No pain, no gain,’” she says with a laugh.

Being parched for live performances – which are usually where Soulmate shine the brightest – Kharbangar says the downtime also led to a change in her voice. “My voice has matured so much in the last two years. I’ve been using my lows a lot, so look out for a brand new Tips,” she adds. Wallang, on his part, says they just want to make it worth people’s time, considering they’ve made new fans online during the pandemic in addition to their diehard fans.

The setlist includes Give Love cuts such as the title track, “The Way We Are,” “I Sing The Blues” and “Soulmate Boogie.” While they don’t have a support act on any dates, they might just pull in guests to join them on stage to play a handful of songs together. The full band includes mainstays like bassist Leon Wallang and drummer Vincent Tariang, plus keyboardist Brian Suting. Wallang says of Suting, who has been part of the live lineup since 2019, “He really fills out the band’s sound right now. It’s sounding bigger and fuller and at the same time, the raw power is still there. At one point of time, Karan Joseph [the late keyboardist and pianist] used to be with us. After he passed away, we’d been working as a four-piece band.”

Kharbangar remains excited but in her own playful way as they gear up to hit the stage. “I’m excited to come and sing [sporting] this new bunch of gray hair that I have and this deep voice. I’m really looking forward to getting up on stage and being like an old little mom,” she says with a laugh.

Soulmate – Summer of Love Tour 2022 presented by John Jacobs

June 4th – The Piano Man, Gurugram

June 9th – Fandom at Gilly’s Redefined, Bengaluru

June 10th – Moonshine Project, Hyderabad

June 11th – Pune

June 12th – The Finch, Mumbai

Get tickets here.