How This Music Festival Is Going To Change Kochiâ€™s Music Scene Forever

05 Aug 2016
Fathima AbdulKader
Features

Last weekend, I go to a music show and anyone can guess the kind of people you meet at such events. The show barely finishes before they start talking about the next event. But this time all I could hear them talking was about Bands United happening two weeks later! I’m sure at least a few of you have had the same experience in the recent past. And if you are wondering what the big fuss is all about, you are at the right place.

We all know Kochi as a city is experienced best with good music in your ears and good food on your plates. The only thing Kochiites might love more than music and food is perhaps live shows and shopping. Now how about we think of a live show that combines the best of music and food our city has to offer, and a chance to score some great branded merchandise of the event? That is exactly what Bands United plans to do with the Kochi stint of their concert series, and that is just the tip of the iceberg. If my brief introduction and anecdotes were not enough to compel you to book your ticket for this game changing music event right now, here are eight more reasons:

You can also win tickets to the event here!

1. The Bands:

The bands gracing the stage at Bands United is some of the best that the city, in fact the state, has to offer. Namely, Masala Coffee (Kantha song fame), Thakara (Puttu pattu song fame), Blank Planet (Maya song fame), Rocazaurus (Had opened for international act Slash), Segments & Perfect Equation.

2. The Food:

One of Kochi’s popular foodie group Eat Kochi Eat has teamed up with Bands United to rope in Cafe Papaya, Chaat Street, The Grill Lab, Soup Shop, Malabaari corner and Gokul Oottupura to put up stalls offering dishes unique to their menu. With this effort, they are taking this event to being about more things than music. The real intention of incorporating the food corner is not only to pamper the hungry, but also to explore various delicacies from all over the town.

3. The Bikes:

If music and food is just not enough to hold your attention, how about a stopover by the biker community 'Riders of Kochi'? They plan on stopping by and showing a display of brotherhood at the venue. This will grant you a chance to take a peek at their mean machines from super bikes to modified bikes.

4. Safe Travel:

If you are a woman thinking “Even if I wanted to go, how am I going to get home”, the Bands United folks have thought of a way to cater to our needs too! They have partnered up with a prominent cab provider to provide reduced rates for attendees after the show to encourage more people to attend, especially women. They also providing facilities so that you can enjoy this fest to the max.

5. The Idea and History:

If you are wondering what the idea and backstory behind Bands United is, the answer is that this event was conceptualized by music enthusiasts to provide platforms to underappreciated talents in our states who often get sidelined for their Mollywood counterparts. With this event they also aim to expose the popular public to the till now untapped potential of Malayalee independent musicians.

The organizers tested the waters by doing their first show in Thrissur on June 4th, 2016 and featured 4 bands- Crossovers, Ugly Old Men, Dhimi and Mushroom Lake. The event drew much more crowd than expected, over 800 people. The response from the Thrissur crowd furthered the organizers confidence to try the next leg of the event in Kochi.

6. The Experience:

The Bands United event is expected to be more than just a musical event, but rather a lifestyle event combining the best of many spheres- music, food, automotives, merchandise and such to create the mixing of many worlds- artists, the public and the corporate. This is bound to change the way events will happen in Kochi and bring a different experience to Kochiites.

7. The Takeaway:

If you thought all you could take away from the show was just memories of good music and scrumptious food, think again! Bands United has partnered up with a Bangalore based Design Company to make available exclusive concert merchandise like T-Shirts or may be even posters.

8. The Crowd:

With over an expected turnout of 1500+, Bands United will combine a plethora of people from various walks of life- musicians, music lovers, foodies, and everything in between. Bands United have roped in digital, radio and social media partners to get the news of the event to even more people.

The event is scheduled to happen on 12th of August which can be a kick start of a long weekend.

Text: Fathima Abdul Kader
Images: Bands United Facebook Page