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The Alliance Francaise was packed to the rafters on Sunday evening for the TAAQ gig. But some folks out there were taking notes. Aswin Nandakumar sends us his take (for the record, it’s his first-ever gig review). We’re honoured, Aswin. Thanks!

The music they breathed out at Alliance Francaise (with the new bassist) was entirely unpredictable. It might be a naïve comment, but it’s been ages since I last attended a TAAQ concert. I am talking about ‘those times’ when they used to belt numbers from Plan B. I must say their enthusiasm for their live craft to play is grand with likeable degree of energy. Their music did the talking.

There was a festival atmosphere in the Alliance as they rendered all new tracks keeping aside their most peppy hits. Fans gazed into each other’s eyes with the expression “OHoo… Wowwiiee” as the new bass guitarist Prakash on his debut performance plucked, stroked and strummed with great ease and grooved so well with Rajeev (drums) and vocals.

The gig was short as they played just less than half a dozen songs. ‘Ordinary Affair’ and ‘Surrender’ were my personal favorites. I was also pleased with their intention to write the song the ‘Where the state has no name’, which sang about the “geographical divide” situation in Andhra Pradesh. I just hoped they would play ‘One Small Love’ with the video flashing in the background.

Perhaps more pleasing to the impartial listener might have been the Beatles number ‘Hey Jude’. On request from an unknown shout from a fan who probably would have come to sing along with Paper Puli, Bruce humbly replied, “No. All new songs today.” And his request to the sound guy: “Give him (Prakash) whatever he wants” added fun to the gig.

Backup vocals/seconds (God knows how Bruce did that) was timely and limited just like the number of t-shirts they had for sale!

On a lighter note, I was wondering if TAAQ would tell their newbie to trim off his metal look! The TAAQ concert at Alliance Francaise was a fine breeze. It was pleasant and engaging. TAAQ serious followers were all there! It came as no surprise as half of the crowd left the Alliance with them. It’s great to to see TAAQ find equilibrium at 3 yet again!