Standing
amongst fifty thousand people watching the band play was one thing only to be
seen and experienced. Words fall short. I can not describe it in one word or a
sentence.
“Yes
I am going to the concert”, is all I told Nirav when we read, “Dates
are out! Metallica
That
was on a hot May day when I said I was all set to head bang. And in these five
months I had a lot to do… my daughter’s half yearly exams, a great summer
vacation and many birthdays to attend. And then there were the unexpected
hiccups… short trips … the unending rains… mugginess in the air … all to be
termed simply as this that and etcetera.
As
days passed, from dry summers to the humid Monsoons there were a few more
people who said they too were looking forward to attend this concert. And this
would be the only topic we’d discuss during weekends – binging on grilled
chicken and cooling off with Budwisers.
So it was six of us who’d finally go together. And it sounded so much
fun!
And
in these five months not only the excitement swelled but some people I trusted
without a doubt showed that they had a nasty side too. For example there is A.
An ardent Metallica enthusiast he took the responsibility to get the tickets
done. At that point of time we had no clue that the tickets would be available
online. He happily took the cash and till date I have not seen his face or
heard his voice. But that’s one story we will continue later on.
The
day the courier came containing the concert tickets I was thrilled… excited
like a teenager who just saw her crush pass by across the street. I looked at
it for a long time. Read each and every word over and over again and it took
good amount of time to let that feeling sink in.
Two
days before the concert we reached
But a
tragic thing happened on the night of 28th Oct. We were unaware of
it. It was a phone call from Lioness. She asked me to switch on the TV and just
browse through any of the news channel. My heart roughly missed a beat when I
learnt that the Metallica gig that was to be held in
We
were all silent. We just did not want to talk or discuss anything nasty and
negative. I just whispered a silent prayer to God. All I asked him was a
perfect 30th … a Sunday I’d always cherish. But there were a thousand
people propagating too may things everywhere; be it in the social networking
sites, TV, elevators, malls. I just shut myself up amidst some good books,
family and rum. For I know if nothing else work, rum surely does the trick!
Slowly
the time was drawing nearer. And I was hoping everything would be right.
The
night before the concert – it was a Saturday and I was to meet up my cousin and
that planned collapsed too … well almost if I may say… we were supposed to meet
at some pub over a few drinks and that was all. But he got stuck with his work
and the next best thing I said was “let’s postpone our meeting.” Meeting him was also very important to both
of us as we’d see each other after twenty two years. The last time I saw him
was when I was in class six and he had just cleared his twelfth. After that we
have been in touch either through mails, phone calls and texts.
But
the sweet fella he is, he took directions of the place we were staying and he
drove 25 kms. just to see me. Meeting him after such a long time has been
another experience again.
And
we spent the whole night talking and sipping scotch (for a change I shifted my
loyalty) by the balcony. We were so engrossed in our conversation that we did
not realize slowly it was dawn! He left at 6.00 a.m in the morning.
After
he left I knew I had just an hour of sleep. Nior would be soon awake and I
would get busy with her. But nothing happened as I planned. Nior woke up and
she never disturbed me (my sweet-heart… I don’t know how come she understands
me so well)… & Nirav was awake too. Infact the entire household was up and
into their own devises and the sun rays falling directly into my eyes would not
let the sleep come. So I too got up and a big mug of tea was all I needed.
By
noon we decided to move. I made Nior understand that I would be out for some
work and that she should behave like a good girl and stay with her aunt, uncle
and elder sis and also Shamima (the girl who stays with us)… and she said she
would.
We
met our friends at a junction and headed for Palace Grounds. There was a slight
drizzle but nobody cared a bit about it. The queue was a rather long one… and
this was just to step inside the Palace Grounds.
Once inside
the grounds there was no queue whatsoever. But there was a heavy rush of people
at one direction only and we too stood somewhere close to the massive crowd. Then
we heard the guys standing infornt of us say “Gates have opened”. I cannot tell
you how suffocating it was, to stand in that crowd which was swelling every
moment. You really did not have to walk, you could just move as you were being
pushed. At one point I thought I’d pass out. I looked into Nirav and said, “hold
me as tight as you can”. And I asked one of the guys infront of me, “how long
will it take us to reach the gate?” He scratched his head; pressing on to the
shoulders of another guy standing infront of him he arched himself up and
replied, “Roughly two meters”. Those two meters seemed an eternal journey. It
took about forty five minutes to reach that two meter mark. I saw a very small “gate”
through which only one person at a time could enter. The whole area was full of
these huge and frightfully morose looking bouncers. Dare you create any nonsense!
We walked for another few meters and there was another ordeal to be passed. This
time around there were five rows. People were being frisked lest we smuggle
alcohol, cigarettes, lighters and cameras. And finally…finally I could see the arena.
I
looked up my watch. It was 5.00 p.m and as I looked up on the stage there was
Nikhil (Chinappa) introducing Guillotine a
Once
they wrapped up a Scottish alt-rock act Biffy Clyro's took the stage for an hour and the crowd stood
expectantly in the pouring rain.My back was slowly hurting and I sat on the
ground… I was lucky to be standing near the barracks. I had some clear place to
sit… the rains had made the entire place slushy.
Soon
they were off the stage the crowd was getting frenzy. The wait was finally
over. We would see Hetfield & Co. in any minute. But to everyone’s surprise
there was this man on stage giving a sermon on safety. He urged the audience in
front to look to their “left”, “right” and “behind” and then take “three steps
backward”.
And
as obedient school children the crowd adhered to it without fuss.
At
about 8.00 p.m as the band came finally took charge the whole Palace Ground got
euphoric. Hysteria set it and finally it was happening. I am sure everyone
present there had the same feeling like the one I had. This was it… it took
them so long but they finally arrived… the wait, the pain, the rain, hunger and
thirst everything was forgotten.
From CreepingDeath to For Whom The Bells Toll people sang in chorus. Nothing matter at that
time. Seemed we were all one. Standing their in unison, head banging and
enjoying each and every moment and soaking it all.
The
LED screens behind the two storied stage and on the sides is where you could
see them giant size and the fire works added sparks to the whole ambience.
And
then there was the anti-war song One when a fleet of doves flew above in the dark
night sky and all I could say was “they were so well trained.”
As
they belted out one hit after another I could not have thanked God enough for
making this so perfect for me and another few thousands too.
And
as they sang Master of Puppets, Hetfield gave out that evil laugh much to everyone’s
delight and there were so many like me I noticed who clutched their foreheads
in utter disbelief.
And
then the time came I was waiting for… after a solo by Kirk Hammet for about
fifteen minutes the music seemed familiar. Oh yeah… It was Nothing ElseMatters. The entire Palace Ground with fifty thousands metal heads singing that
song was amazing. People came from every corner of the country and other parts
of the world too. There were people of all ages… there were people in crutches,
bandaged arms and heads too. But all were there… to see the Gods of Metal perform
live. The finale was Enter Sandman… as he Hetfield chanted “And now I lay down
to sleep… “ I just told myself, “this is insane… I can take no more”….
I has
been truly all the long travel… the back ache and all the wait …. I never
thought I could see these guys ever … but Jasoon Newstead you were sorely
missed…Lars seemed to have gone mellow… age suits him and what can I say about
Hetfield… he is just too much!
As we
decided to walk back to the nearest taxi stand I still could not believe what I
had just seen… I knew it would take a hell lot of time to let that feeling sink
again… like it happened to me when opened the courier and saw the concert
tickets.
As we
were heading home I knew this was definitely a pilgrimage and also realized
that I had not slept for the past twenty four hours.
“Awesome”
is the closest I can get and to add spice to the awesome word I can equalize
that with the word “Aphrodisiac”.
“Yes
I am going to the concert”, is all I told Nirav when we read, “Dates
are out! Metallica India Delhi
and Bangalore respectively during their
inaugural India
Bangalore
That
was on a hot May day when I said I was all set to head bang. And in these five
months I had a lot to do… my daughter’s half yearly exams, a great summer
vacation and many birthdays to attend. And then there were the unexpected
hiccups… short trips … the unending rains… mugginess in the air … all to be
termed simply as this that and etcetera.
As
days passed, from dry summers to the humid Monsoons there were a few more
people who said they too were looking forward to attend this concert. And this
would be the only topic we’d discuss during weekends – binging on grilled
chicken and cooling off with Budwisers.
So it was six of us who’d finally go together. And it sounded so much
fun!
And
in these five months not only the excitement swelled but some people I trusted
without a doubt showed that they had a nasty side too. For example there is A.
An ardent Metallica enthusiast he took the responsibility to get the tickets
done. At that point of time we had no clue that the tickets would be available
online. He happily took the cash and till date I have not seen his face or
heard his voice. But that’s one story we will continue later on.
The
day the courier came containing the concert tickets I was thrilled… excited
like a teenager who just saw her crush pass by across the street. I looked at
it for a long time. Read each and every word over and over again and it took
good amount of time to let that feeling sink in.
Two
days before the concert we reached Bangalore
But a
tragic thing happened on the night of 28th Oct. We were unaware of
it. It was a phone call from Lioness. She asked me to switch on the TV and just
browse through any of the news channel. My heart roughly missed a beat when I
learnt that the Metallica gig that was to be held in New Delhi
We
were all silent. We just did not want to talk or discuss anything nasty and
negative. I just whispered a silent prayer to God. All I asked him was a
perfect 30th … a Sunday I’d always cherish. But there were a thousand
people propagating too may things everywhere; be it in the social networking
sites, TV, elevators, malls. I just shut myself up amidst some good books,
family and rum. For I know if nothing else work, rum surely does the trick!
Slowly
the time was drawing nearer. And I was hoping everything would be right.
The
night before the concert – it was a Saturday and I was to meet up my cousin and
that planned collapsed too … well almost if I may say… we were supposed to meet
at some pub over a few drinks and that was all. But he got stuck with his work
and the next best thing I said was “let’s postpone our meeting.” Meeting him was also very important to both
of us as we’d see each other after twenty two years. The last time I saw him
was when I was in class six and he had just cleared his twelfth. After that we
have been in touch either through mails, phone calls and texts.
But
the sweet fella he is, he took directions of the place we were staying and he
drove 25 kms. just to see me. Meeting him after such a long time has been
another experience again.
And
we spent the whole night talking and sipping scotch (for a change I shifted my
loyalty) by the balcony. We were so engrossed in our conversation that we did
not realize slowly it was dawn! He left at 6.00 a.m in the morning.
After
he left I knew I had just an hour of sleep. Nior would be soon awake and I
would get busy with her. But nothing happened as I planned. Nior woke up and
she never disturbed me (my sweet-heart… I don’t know how come she understands
me so well)… & Nirav was awake too. Infact the entire household was up and
into their own devises and the sun rays falling directly into my eyes would not
let the sleep come. So I too got up and a big mug of tea was all I needed.
By
noon we decided to move. I made Nior understand that I would be out for some
work and that she should behave like a good girl and stay with her aunt, uncle
and elder sis and also Shamima (the girl who stays with us)… and she said she
would.
We
met our friends at a junction and headed for Palace Grounds. There was a slight
drizzle but nobody cared a bit about it. The queue was a rather long one… and
this was just to step inside the Palace Grounds.
Once inside
the grounds there was no queue whatsoever. But there was a heavy rush of people
at one direction only and we too stood somewhere close to the massive crowd. Then
we heard the guys standing infornt of us say “Gates have opened”. I cannot tell
you how suffocating it was, to stand in that crowd which was swelling every
moment. You really did not have to walk, you could just move as you were being
pushed. At one point I thought I’d pass out. I looked into Nirav and said, “hold
me as tight as you can”. And I asked one of the guys infront of me, “how long
will it take us to reach the gate?” He scratched his head; pressing on to the
shoulders of another guy standing infront of him he arched himself up and
replied, “Roughly two meters”. Those two meters seemed an eternal journey. It
took about forty five minutes to reach that two meter mark. I saw a very small “gate”
through which only one person at a time could enter. The whole area was full of
these huge and frightfully morose looking bouncers. Dare you create any nonsense!
We walked for another few meters and there was another ordeal to be passed. This
time around there were five rows. People were being frisked lest we smuggle
alcohol, cigarettes, lighters and cameras. And finally…finally I could see the arena.
I
looked up my watch. It was 5.00 p.m and as I looked up on the stage there was
Nikhil (Chinappa) introducing Guillotine a Delhi Delhi
Once
they wrapped up a Scottish alt-rock act Biffy Clyro's took the stage for an hour and the crowd stood
expectantly in the pouring rain.My back was slowly hurting and I sat on the
ground… I was lucky to be standing near the barracks. I had some clear place to
sit… the rains had made the entire place slushy.
Soon
they were off the stage the crowd was getting frenzy. The wait was finally
over. We would see Hetfield & Co. in any minute. But to everyone’s surprise
there was this man on stage giving a sermon on safety. He urged the audience in
front to look to their “left”, “right” and “behind” and then take “three steps
backward”.
And
as obedient school children the crowd adhered to it without fuss.
At
about 8.00 p.m as the band came finally took charge the whole Palace Ground got
euphoric. Hysteria set it and finally it was happening. I am sure everyone
present there had the same feeling like the one I had. This was it… it took
them so long but they finally arrived… the wait, the pain, the rain, hunger and
thirst everything was forgotten.
From CreepingDeath to For Whom The Bells Toll people sang in chorus. Nothing matter at that
time. Seemed we were all one. Standing their in unison, head banging and
enjoying each and every moment and soaking it all.
The
LED screens behind the two storied stage and on the sides is where you could
see them giant size and the fire works added sparks to the whole ambience.
And
then there was the anti-war song One when a fleet of doves flew above in the dark
night sky and all I could say was “they were so well trained.”
As
they belted out one hit after another I could not have thanked God enough for
making this so perfect for me and another few thousands too.
And
as they sang Master of Puppets, Hetfield gave out that evil laugh much to everyone’s
delight and there were so many like me I noticed who clutched their foreheads
in utter disbelief.
And
then the time came I was waiting for… after a solo by Kirk Hammet for about
fifteen minutes the music seemed familiar. Oh yeah… It was Nothing ElseMatters. The entire Palace Ground with fifty thousands metal heads singing that
song was amazing. People came from every corner of the country and other parts
of the world too. There were people of all ages… there were people in crutches,
bandaged arms and heads too. But all were there… to see the Gods of Metal perform
live. The finale was Enter Sandman… as he Hetfield chanted “And now I lay down
to sleep… “ I just told myself, “this is insane… I can take no more”….
I has
been truly all the long travel… the back ache and all the wait …. I never
thought I could see these guys ever … but Jasoon Newstead you were sorely
missed…Lars seemed to have gone mellow… age suits him and what can I say about
Hetfield… he is just too much!
As we
decided to walk back to the nearest taxi stand I still could not believe what I
had just seen… I knew it would take a hell lot of time to let that feeling sink
again… like it happened to me when opened the courier and saw the concert
tickets.
As we
were heading home I knew this was definitely a pilgrimage and also realized
that I had not slept for the past twenty four hours.
So much for Mr. James Hetfield & Co.
