Rockapalooza is on again and though you might think it’s only open to rock bands, founder Anil Balasuriya says he’s willing to let stand up comedians take the stage. It’s unlikely that there will be any takers, but the offer draws attention to Rockapalooza’s widening base. It’s one of the few events that regularly allows talented Sri Lankans to perform for an audience.
Traditionally, the event features metal and rock and roll bands, but a few pioneers have brought Hip Hp and R&B to the table. In the process they get to learn from the pros, even as they gain valuable experience. Anil says he believes that this kind of publicity is the first step towards creating bands that could perform internationally. The second should be in place by the end of the year, when Rockapalooza is scheduled to set up its own studio and launch a music channel.
“We wanted to create the infratstructure needed to launch these artists,” Anil says, adding, “I know how hard it is when you have a passion and you want to do something, and there’s no platform. When you see talent, you should try and nurture it.”
“We’re ready to take this overseas,” says Anil, adding that they will probably begin by making landfall on India. “We’d like to take some bands over, and really dazzle those people,” he says. But before that happens, it’s your turn. Here are some of the bands who’ll be playing:
Magic Vinyl: With Anil Balasuriya, Allan Outscoon, Sam Weerawardene, Isuru Passan, and Maria Soyza, the band is just over a year old. They currently in the studio recording their debut album and a video to their debut single “Requiem” should be released in the next month.
Nuke the System: Shamin de Silva, Shivane Wickramasinghe, Ruvin de Silva and Niren Neydorff pride themselves on their genre hopping skills. Expect songs that cover ground from A Perfect Circle to Massive Attack to Mutemath and maybe some Kula Shaker.
Salvage: CC, James and Greg, all TNL Onstage stars, join Justice for this performance.
The band intends to release an EP this year, but you can check out their single ‘Follow You Home’ at Rockapalooza.
Wagon Park: Get a taste of what Buddhima De mel, Nuwan Tharanga and Mohamed Firash have to offer – check out their video Single Flat.
Azure: Lakmaal, Rolando, Janidu, Pratheep, Dhanushka, Kasun, and Manujaon say their band is still only a few gigs old. Rockapalooza will be their first major gig.
Rockapalooza kicks of on April 30 at Clancy’s from 8p.m onwards. Tickets are available at the gate. |
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