Its just not about music, you gotta put up a show.

I wrote this email today to Banyan Tree. They are the group responsible for Ruhaniyat music concert held across the country. Wiki Source

I have realized that, production quality is the key to any event’s or artist’s success. The consumer has become demanding now.
So the email tries to give feedback about the production quality. I have been blunt in my criticism. I am no one to comment on the work of artists of such great reputation and experience. But I felt the need for packaging.

Here goes……

Hey team,

This is a totally honest feedback. Frankly your concert was good. I was introduced to the music genre recently. And I must appreciate the effort this nation wide event is making to introduce the art to audience across the country. I attended the show at Ravindre Bharti in Hyderabad this Saturday. I liked parts of the show, but I had an uneasy feeling about the show. Something was missing.

Then I realized, I do listen to something similar already. I guess Coke Studio can be used as a standard to what your events can be like. You can turn everything around into a light, music and visual treat. The egyptian artists can take your show a notch above the rest, if you cared for production. Yes, the reason I got disinterested and bored (read almost slept off at times) was production.

You might think of me as a young chap out there. But lets cut to the chase, you need young people like me to like the music for the art to grow.
What am gonna say is not for the young people but audience in general. Live shows have to go by a thumb rule according to me – Hook in that guy in the audience. Dont let him take his eyes off the show.

This can be achieved only if you take over the senses of your crowd. Put up a show which will have them eating out of your palm. Sound effects were bad. I could hardly hear what the boul song. The qawali should have taken over my senses and being. Roped me into the audio treat it can be. But again the sound system was below par.

Then comes the visual aspect. I cannot be just hooked to the show with red and yellow lights on the stage, especially when the sound is below average. The felicitations are a nice touch, but then it made me feel the artists were not involved. It would be amazing if the artists could give the theme around the songs in their own words instead of the lady on dais coming in all the time. Not because I hate her, but I cannot feel related to the artist and his music until he talks to me. Explains the feeling and theme expressed by the song. Make it a personal experience for me.

Lastly lets talk the venue. In the age of multiplexes and home theatres you cant expect me to sit in the seats that are for kids. Its just too small. The comfort level is just not there. I was perpetually at discomfort. I realized that this concert would have been an awesome event if it was an open air concert. In the backdrop of a monument or in a farm. With a more open air about the show, a slightly better sound system.

You would raise the ever present problem of sponsorships. I wont negate that they are tough to come for events of this genre. However, let me point out your show was practically house full. Now that is not a simple feat. You have an audience who come back every year. I think its time you started expanding. Plus if you can pull off multiple shows spread over a day or two, you have the moolah in the bag.

This email was not written with the purpose of negating or humoring at your expense. I really felt that things could be better. I have seen concerts in colleges that were better done. I expected better from a professional group. I am sure you guys think on a big scale too, or atleast dream of one too. I just wanted to share my own two bits. After all, if a moron like Bryan Adams can be a big sensation for masses in India, why cant Ruhaniyat become a touching and mesmerizing experience for the elite few.

Best Regards and Lotsa Luck
Anuraag

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Anuraag Sachdeva