Baja at a previous edition of Freedom Jam | Photo credit: Special Arrangement
Freedom Jam, one of Bengaluru’s most popular music bands, will return to the stage at the Bangalore International Centre in Domlur on August 14. In keeping with the philosophy of its free gigs (“No Bread!” as the concert series is subtitled), Freedom Jam builds on 26 years of live music, with the band being formally active since 1997.
This long-running series, which has frequently performed on Independence Day and Republic Day, this year will feature four bands from different generations and genres, putting on an unprecedented mid-week show.
Part of the lineup is the Sarjapur Blues Band led by founder Dr. Shekhar Seshadri (who is also a renowned psychologist at NIMHANS) on vocals and guitar with guitarist Vinu Mathews. They describe themselves as a “workingman’s, underground, back-street, original, eclectic, rhythm and blues kind of band.”
Songs like ‘Don’t Drop Your Ego’, ‘Bounce It’ and ‘Lady Nicotine’ will be heard, which stay in line with Freedom Jam’s theme for this edition of the original music performance.
The Sarjapur Blues Band will be joined by veteran rock band The Unknowns, whose set will pay tribute to their late guitarist Stephen Joseph aka Steve. According to the organisers, The Unknowns will perform songs from Steve’s Carnatic fusion album Welcome to the trip This week at Freedom Jam.
Giddy Who | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
“Steve not only made The Unknowns one of the best classic rock bands in town, but he also pioneered several innovations to make the electric guitar sound like the veena, mridangam and violin. Now the next generation, Steve’s versatile son and nephew Sunil continue the tradition with Steven, who is a master of all fusion techniques,” the event description states.
As well as celebrating Steve’s life at Freedom Jam, there’s just as much fun to be had from Baaja, whose band also includes Freedom Jam founder Siddharth Patnaik. In his own words, Baaja “can’t play a cover to save his life”. Instead they offer remixes of songs like ‘Vande Mataram’ and ‘Surangani’, as well as his long-running songs ‘Money Runnin’ Out’, ‘Aloogobi Rhythm’ and more. Baaja’s style “involves a blend of Desi ‘Tappanakuthu’ rhythms with rock blues chord patterns.”
Just like the regulars who have been a part of almost every edition of Baja Freedom Jam, local rock band Giddy Who has recently joined the concert series. With four tracks released so far, the band is likely to play songs like ‘Why Should I Scare’, ‘Mount Rock’, ‘Fetus’ and ‘Pilgrim and the Creed’. They are also now busy recording their debut album. The event description states, “Two brothers from the South and two from the Northeast, the band has the potential to impress rock audiences with their energetic performances and catchy arena rock.”
Freedom Jam has previously presented live music in public spaces as well as local pubs, sometimes in a format spanning multiple venues, spanning multiple days. Hosting everyone from Raghu Dixit to Thermal and a Quarter, prog rock band Rainburn and more, Freedom Jam has received love and praise for promoting the city’s independent music scene and having fun.
RSVP via freedomjam.in for free entry to Freedom Jam on August 14 at Bangalore International Centre.
Independence Day is rocking!
Echoes of Freedom by Corporates 14th August Hoot Cafe & Brewery, Sarjapur
Freedom Hubba ft Ricky Kej 15th August Chamara Vajra, Jayamahal
The Voice of India with Akash Kumar, Dhruv Gupta, Shubham, Karthik and others 15th August Radio Bar, Bellandur
Band-e-Mataram competition from 15th to 18th August at Mall of India, Bengaluru
