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What a gig this was! I will leave the gig review to the more music-educated.

Cheers to what happened back-stage. First off, a big hats-off to the guys at DNA. It’s getting bigger and better every time. To manage a gig is a Herculean task and to manage a Herculean gig needs that something more. The logistics, the stage set up, the crowd control (except the size of the exit gates & the traffic snarls), the coordination – just fantastic. The lights & stage was brilliant. I think Bangalore is ready for Aerosmith, Mettalica & U2. Even though I was a little worried when Mr. Dickenson climbed up the scaffolding…

Another crib that is going around is that only the older bands are coming here. I will say for sure that only these bands are going to pack the venues. Look at the economical scenario. When India was getting exposed to the rock scene through mass media, we were in high school. These bands were in their prime and making so much noise that we heard it in India with just one international music channel. Now a decade and a half later, the people most influenced by this music, have the moolah to get to these gigs. I personally know more than a dozen people who took flights the night before to get here from far & beyond. Thank budget airlines for that! It’s the economic reforms in India over the last decade that have made these gigs happen. Watching iron maiden from the front row, paying US$ 30 is awesome. And look at how many people were there. So what if the performers are growing old, their audience is getting there too.

Another interesting thing – Tee Shirts! 96% wore black, 78% had a HeavyMetal band’s name on it and 56% were branded “Iron Maiden”. Here is what takes the cake – 88% of Tee’s were Made-in India.