Mirror Magazine

Mirror Magazine

Rockin’ it right
By Ishani Ranasinghe
The young do not know enough to be prudent, and therefore they attempt the impossible, and achieve it, generation after generation.
Anyone looking at the youth today cannot help but agree with this statement. Look around at all these young people determined to get the whole world thinking.

The Kollupitiya Methodist Church Youth is one group determined to make a change. The interesting part about it is they plan to do it through rock music. Why? Because the organisers feel that this way, they will have a greater impact on the youth as the generation now is growing up listening to more of hip hop and rock. Youth Live, with its theme of ‘Burning Generations,’ is presented with this idea in mind.

“We are trying to make a difference by promoting positive thinking among youth and getting them to break out of the mould,” says Avanka Fernando, while Ruben Kennedy adds that they are planning on making an impact on the youth in Sri Lanka.

Youth Live, made its debut on the local rock scene in 2003, entertaining and satisfying a rock hungry generation that’s rapidly expanding. This year with Youth Live: Burning Generations they hope to promote a positive image in rock music, while giving greater opportunity and exposure to budding youth rock groups, who have great talent and the potential that needs to surface.
With the concert approaching, it’s time for you to gear up for an atmosphere of raw ear-splitting music. Five rock bands will take the stage and usher in the sound of electrifying rock. From the very first guitar riff to the grand build-up of the final cymbal clash, this event promises great atmosphere and amazing talent as Reap, Ezra, Jacob’s Ladder, Zilch and Cold Armour bring forth their music.

Reap, one of the bands tipped to perform met up with us last week to have a few words about their outfit and their performance for the evening.
For many people, Reap will definitely be a name that they are not really familiar with. But this band made its debut in 2003 at Youth Live and really got the crowd going. After their performance, they took a break and then came back with a few changes in their line-up.

Now, the line-up includes Chrishantha, Greg, Shamal, Diyan and Susantha who met at the Kollupitiya Methodist Church. They are a youth rock/gospel band with a cause. Musically, they all come from different backgrounds, “but we click as a band, and when we come together we are a genre of our own,” says Chrishantha. With their uniqueness in style and enthusiasm to progress, they are determined to make their mark in the local music scene.

So what should we expect? “Even though we have a few originals, we plan on playing a few covers,” says Chrishantha, adding that they plan to work on their originals a little more before putting them out. This is just one band that will be performing, the evening will be jam packed with some amazing bands that will definitely get you going, making this one event you should not miss out on.

Youth Live 2006 will be held on May 6 at the Methodist College Auditorium. Tickets priced at Rs. 200 and 300 will be available at the gate. The main sponsor for the event is Mission Rainbow, with TNL Radio coming in as the exclusive radio station and The Sunday Times as the print media sponsor. The associate sponsors for the event are Ginger Beer and Stone ‘n’ String.

Top