From poor stands and wet bathrooms to long walks to venues, are we really prepared? Heres what experts and fans say
Rock band Maroon 5’s frontman Adam Levine at the band’s India debut show at Mahalaxmi Racecourse. Pic/Anurag Ahire
A Sunday Mid-Day writer noted that at the Maroon 5 concert, poor sound quality made it hard to hear Adam Levine when the crowd sang. Sound quality often depends on budget, venue setup, and technical expertise.
Over 56,000 people attended Justin Bieber’s concert at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, in 2017—one of the most hyped concerts India has seen till date. The venue will see three performances from Coldplay in January. Pic/Getty Images
However, Anisha Gupta said she was thrilled just to see Adam Levine live. I don’t think the sound was bad, I mean, how could it be?! He hit every note perfectly while engaging with the crowd, said the Maroon 5 fan
Jovian Soans, Sound engineer
Due to budget issues, vendors may need to reduce the number of speakers or use less advanced equipment, affecting sound quality, says sound engineer Jovian Soans, adding that larger venues like Mahalaxmi Racecourse can be challenging due to its irregular shape.
Police managing crowd outside Jio Garden, BKC, before Ed Sheeran’s concert in 2017, which saw around 10,000 people. File pic
It took me three hours to reach the venue and four hours to return. Walking to the parking area was literally 10,000 steps, so I checked my health app. Now, I will only attend a concert if a major band comes to India," says Aishvary Singh, a metalhead who attended Avenged Sevenfold’s concert in Bangalore in November.
A Maroon 5 fan’s snapshot submitted to Sunday mid-day. The portable loos were cramped and pitch dark, and were captured using phone camera flash.
Sanitation at concerts is still a problem. The Mid-Day writer who attended the Maroon 5 concert noted that portable bathrooms were devoid of electricity, and most people used their cell phone flashlights to avoid tripping or falling.
Brian Tellis, Proponent, Mahindra Blues Festival
Brian Tellis, proponent of the Mahindra Blues Festival, says that for a genre like Blues, they have to adhere to all technical requirements, including the importance of acoustics and cleanliness, with strict waste management rules and a focus on providing an intimate experience for the audience.
Antisocial in Lower Parel is one of the top venues for live gigs
On the other hand, smaller venues like antiSocial in Lower Parel, with a 500-person capacity, host daily gigs by top Indian and international acts, with remarkable control over their sound system. Divya Aggarwal, Chief Growth Officer, says their sound systems and flexible layouts ensure each performance connects deeply with the audience.
Dua Lipa performing at the MMRDA Grounds, on November 30. Pic/Instagram
India now has top-quality systems to meet international artists' technical demands, but key equipment is still flown in from abroad," explains Xerxes Antia, co-founder of Seventy Event Media Group.
British rock band Coldplay at the Global Citizen India concert, 2016 at BKC. Pic/Getty Images
Some fans at Maroon 5's concert were disappointed by issues like costly hydration stations and poor sound, with general tickets priced at Rs 9,000 and premium ones at Rs 15,000 and above.
Traffic jam at Bandra-Kurla Complex during the Global Citizen Festival, 2016, which saw performances from artistes such as rapper Jay-Z and rock band Coldplay, among others. File pic
My friend and I developed blisters on our heels from walking so much at the Mahalaxmi Race Course, and another friend was dehydrated by the time we reached our ticket zone, says Amrita Pratap and her group, who flew from Bengaluru to Mumbai last year to see the Jonas Brothers.
Also read: Are we logistically ready for international acts like Coldplay to perform in India?
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