Robert Kennedy waited three years for a particular wave to break — and it will today at noon. The Alaigal music festival, which he conceptualised, debuts at Four Points by Sheraton, starting with laid-back rhythms of folk and reggae and picking up mood and tempo as the day progresses. “It means both sea waves and sounds waves in Tamil; I thought it was apt for an event taking place near a seaside town,” he smiles.
The owner of Mamallapuram’s Bob Marley Café (a shack with quite the cult following), Kennedy has always been a music enthusiast, encouraging travelling musicians to perform there. Over the course of conversations with his friend Gautam Pattathil, managing director of entertainment company FlipMag, the idea of putting together musical acts on one stage took shape. “ Now is the time for something like Alaigal, given how our entertainment and nightlife industry have opened up over the last year,” says Pattathil.
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The line-up of 10 bands and 10 DJs promises a wide variety of music — fusion, lounge, rock, folk, house, techno. The sundowners are the hugely-popular Prem Joshua & Band, known for their unique crossover East-West sound, and Chennai-based acoustic alternative band RJD. Local and international DJs and bands such as Sam Shroff, Trippy Sama, Gaia Mobilij and Ashwin + BLWR will also be playing. Watch out for artistes Adrian Atma and Ben Pavlidis who will be playing in the city for the first time.
Shroff, who has performed in Chennai for the past five years, shares, “Over and above interacting with their favourite musicians and unwinding with friends, such festivals allow the public to experience new artistes and sounds.” And at his set, “audiences can expect a hypnotic vibe with an emotional groove”.
Kennedy explains that the festival’s scope has been expanded to include 3-D art installations and other entertainment. If there’s yoga and sound-healing for the soul, there’s also retail therapy on call, thanks to a large flea market crammed with jewellery, handicrafts and collectibles. Heating up things will be impromptu acts from a group of national and international fire dancers. “As we are expecting a mixed audience of all age groups, we have created a dedicated kids’ section whose offerings include shadow puppet theatre and a Smurf-themed tea party,” adds Pattathil.
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The festival is largely funded by the Bob Marley Café, which owns the Alaigal brand, with support from partners such as Decathlon. What’s more, the organisers promise that planning has already begun for next year’s musical wave.
Alaigal takes place today at Four Points By Sheraton. From 12 pm onwards. Tickets at ₹1,500 on in.bookmyshow.com. 9962392714