Come Sunday morning and Bengaluru’s early birds can start their day with a song while digging into their favourite breakfast treats. Deepa Jacob and Michael Antony Dias perform at the first ever ‘Breakfast Concert’ in Bengaluru.
Hosted by Monkey Bar, Indiranagar on May 31 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Breakfirst Shift promises to be lots of fun.
Michael, the frontman of city-based band Mad Orange Fireworks, is a prolific songwriter and reputed in the music circuit. Deepa, a writer and narrative game designer, spends most of her free time putting her powerful vocal proficiency and dynamism to good use having sung, recorded and toured with Bengaluru’s favourite choirs, bands and musicians. “Deepa and I have been working out a nice bunch of duet cover songs. The set will be just one guitar backing the two voices. We are keeping it mellow and simple,” says Michael. Deepa elaborates that they did a similar set under the stars at a camp fire gig last year outside Bengaluru. “We’ve got a range of fun songs from The Beatles, Police, Michael Jackson, and even some Britney Spears. These are songs that we love and want to share with our listeners.”
Elaborating on the breakfast gig concept, Michael says: “Most venues are trying out the same formula with music events on a Saturday or Friday night. Monkey Bar has a good crowd that comes in for its Sunday breakfast. So it’ll be something interesting to try out.”
Deepa agrees: “When I first heard it’s going to be a 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. gig, I wondered who’ll turn up, but the breakfast is insane at Monkey Bar so I knew it’ll work out. However, I’ve never met the breakfast crowd before. I’ve only met the weekend crowd. I’m curious to see what it’s going to be like.”
Do they think this concept will catch on in Bengaluru? They chorus a hopeful yes. Michael says it sounds like a fun thing to do.
“Even I would rather prefer spending a nice Sunday morning doing something like this rather than a Saturday night partying.”
Deepa pitches in: “I know a lot of places have been promoting their weekend breakfasts. And it’s always been the standard music on the PA. It’ll be interesting to see live music catch on at a different time of day.” Sharing their thoughts on heralding in a whole new listening audience in the music capital, the duo agrees the music-loving, appreciating crowd usually turns up on a Saturday or Friday night. “Sunday mornings, I’m guessing, is going to be a little more of a family-oriented crowd.
But, obviously, there is definitely going to be lot of music lovers there. I’m just hoping to get everyone gets involved instead of it being only background music. I’m keeping fingers crossed,” hopes Michael.
Deepa is equally optimistic. “I think the breakfast crowd is very different from the other crowds. These are people who wake up early and maybe hang out at a park on Sunday. I’m actually excited about reaching people who haven’t been exposed to our music before.”
Looking ahead, where do they see the future of the breakfast gig heading? Michael says he would love to play Sunday mornings with his band, “But it’s going to be tough waking the others up early,” he laughs and adds: “I hope the concept catches on and becomes bigger, and pulls in crowds that comes in mainly for the music rather than just for breakfast with music in the background.” Deepa confirms that it is something that seems promising, “But it’s a morning show and a mellower acoustic set is perfect for a Sunday morning. I’m not really sure that this is the kind of thing that would suit every band.”
The Monkey Bar Breakfirst Shift will continue over the coming months giving a platform for the range of talented artistes from the city.
Call 44114455 for details.
