Mumbai Refreshed


There is hope yet
February 20, 2006, 12:50 pm
Filed under: Mumbai, Music, Nightlife, culture, india, popular culture

Strictly Blues festival
Mumbai gets its first blues festival. Stage 1 presents The Strictly Blues festival, an annual festival of pure, unadulterated blues featuring Dana Gillespie & The London Blues Band and the Dino Baptista Trio from the UK, Julien Brunetaud and The JB Boogie Band from France and America Zach Prather.
Joss, Kalaghoda Rampart Row, 7pm, February 19, 2005.
-Time Out Mumbai

While there is an increased number of concerts and live music events happening across the city, this one in recent past tops my list.

An early affair, the music started by 7:45pm and went on till close to midnight. There was no seating (read people swinging and dancing), gorgeous starters doing the rounds, and a full bar. Mumbai’s hunger for nights like this was evident in the packed hall. People were stomping to the music till those a floor below feared the ceiling would come down. We want more events like this.

Is anyone listing?



Found and Lost
January 31, 2006, 2:26 pm
Filed under: Mumbai, Music, Nightlife, india, popular culture

Why is it, that having lived in Mumbai all my life I don’t have a favourite bar? Not into crowded dance floors, and junk music, I am constantly on the look out for a place that gets the formula right.

Finally there was hope and his name was Henry Tham; a fine dining restaurant, recently converted into a part bar/lounge in Colaba. Friday night’s they showcase a live act ‘Bombay House’.

I went there a couple of Friday’s ago. A live saxophone, drum and synthesiser complimented great tracks (I know what it was not… Trance, RnB, Hip Hop, Bollywood, Pop, Retro) from the DJ booth; it was magical!

I spread the word, waiting in tepid anticipation to get lucky the next Friday. It was lost. I walked into a crowded room with no place to stand. The music was average at best and the live acts gone. My eyes watered, I am not sure if it was the second hand smoke or the thought of what was. Henry Tham has become a scene. RIP.