POETS OF THE FALL LIVE IN DELHI - A LITTLE MORE THAN JUST A SHOW

There used to be a time when I used to express myself through words. But that channel of thought running on paper got cripple and every thought and memory started to get cramped up inside of me. For the longest time, I kept wanting to write here, but something always managed to come up and keep me from doing so. But I knew that there would be a start some time, and nothing can be better than the time Poets of the Fall performed live in Delhi!

I’ve been a fan of Poets of the Fall for over 6 years now. The journey from listening to Late Goodbye for the first time during the ending credits of Max Payne, to listening to the same song live after 6 years- It’s been a memorable ride. I joined the forum back in 2008 or so, and even though I don’t get to frequent the forum often now, the place still holds a special place for the people I encountered there – all friendly, approachable and more importantly, sharing the same undying love towards the band. Looking at my far-away friends and their pictures with the band, I only wished that one day I could get the chance to be able to witness their concert myself, maybe even interact with them.

All those wishes transformed to reality only recently, when the Poets finally announced their 5 city-tour this August. I was one of the unfortunate ones who had to miss their show last year in Bangalore at the Great Indian Oktoberfest. But this time, there was no reason to miss it. They were gonna be right here, in my city, playing at a venue so close.

Rushing straight to the day of the Delhi Concert- 24^th August, 2012, even though the show was supposed to start at 10 PM, I skipped my classes and left for the venue at 4PM, hoping maybe to catch them outside the venue or during the sound check, which I had confirmed a day before from the organizers would be happening around that time. So I enter the mall where Hard Rock Café was, and I saw Marko strolling right in front of me! He was walking casually with a bottle of Coke in his hand, bouncers surrounding him as he walked, absorbing the environment that’s so new to him. The passionate fan in me couldn’t gather the courage to come up with any words, even though I wanted to shout out to him with all my heart. The most I could muster was to run past him to the entry of the venue so I could catch him right before he entered. He did smile at me as he walked by, so I can’t complain anymore. I still wished I could get him to stop for few words, a photograph even. Next thing I know, I see Jaska checking out guitars at a shop outside HRC! The crazy fan in me sprang up to life again, and this time I couldn’t miss it. So I, along with a friend and fellow street team member, went straight to the shop and literally cornered him. He was ever so friendly that he agreed for photographs. Jaska could really qualify for one of the friendliest souls on earth.

Despite our countless efforts, we weren’t allowed to get inside while the sound-check was going on. There were some four of us there anyway, but the security never budged. Anyway, the tall (and questionably feeble for bouncers, you might say) security men and the thick door couldn’t stop us from listening to the sound check from outside. It was a different feeling really, knowing that in a few hours we would be actually witnessing the grandeur of the entire performance with our eyes. They tested the sounds with “Dreaming Wide Awake”, “Kamikaze Love” and some others and our excitement grew with every passing second. We waited outside that entire time, and soon the band came out, heading to the hotel to gear up for the show. They passed smiles and waved their hands as they walked past us, and we managed to get a pic with Jani as well!

It was only after they left, did we catch a break, knowing that the gates would open at 8PM. The wait didn’t feel like waiting at all; we were all mesmerized and already making new friends. Soon enough the gates were open, we made our way to the front rows, sticking to the stage so we’d be the first to experience it all. Patience at this point was in a testing-point by now. We were right there, and the only thing required was for the show to start. There was a DJ who was playing music during the wait, but even classic rock and roll anthems couldn’t satisfy the crowd who only hooted “Poets! Poets!” in unison. After a wait for more than 2 hours (believe me, it felt longer than that), we finally got to see some “signs of life” (I’m sorry I couldn’t stop myself). The minute Marko got on stage, the crowd went berserk. The hours of waiting and restlessness had been drowned in the hooting of the crowd that was ever so excited that it was finally happening! Marko’s stage presence was felt right from the start, his impeccable sense of theatrics incorporated in his actions was something else to witness entirely.

Marko's stage presence was to die for. Hardly any one can match up to such brilliance

The show finally started with Kamikaze Love. Now this one song is a personal favorite of mine, mostly because of its duality which is surreal indeed. One aspect of that song is that it starts right away- no music to build up to the song, just lyrics being sung right away. But this very aspect enables the song to hit you like a brick, with its utmost gravity. That is pretty much what that song had as an impact for being the first song. The crowd by this time had gone completely berserk, and the place had almost closed in on a stampede. Enthusiasm was overflowing as the band kept on playing at the best of glories. The passion was so heated that the security staff had a tough time dealing with it. It was a united cry of passion- everyone in a daze, swaying mentally and physically with every beat and every strum of the music. Diamonds for tears played through the air while there was no stopping the mob. It might just be true when Marko said in an interview one time that India is one of the places that makes them feel like real rockstars! This being a Temple of Thought tour, they played the songs Temple of Thought, Cradled in Love, and The Lie Eternal from the new album. I really wished they had played Skin too, though.  Of others, there was War, Roses, Locking Up the Sun. My memory’s still in a haze from that day, and even though I had not more than one beer, the memories of that night are placed in my head like vivid visions of a lucid dream. The crowd sang along not only to Late Goodbye and Carnival of Rust (possibly the most commercially known songs by the band), but also so Illusion and Dream, Stay and many others.

To go into the technicalities of the show, there were some drawbacks, but the entire finger of blame can only be placed on the organizers. The venue was really small and was holding almost double its capacity that night. Even the audio could have been a little better. And most importantly, the stage was too small for the band, considering how Marko is known for playing around the stage, making full use of it with his unbeatable stage presence. We couldn’t see Marko running around crazy, but it was still a very intimate and cozy show.

Them Finnish Rockers couldn't take the Delhi Heat apparently!

All in all, I can only say that when the band played Lift as the final song, we were all left wanting for more. Dazed as we were, we didn’t want the trance to end. There are so many instances of that night that are permanently engraved in my memory and will never wash away. Like, Marko saying “Find your truths, cos this is The Lie Eternal” right before playing The Lie Eternal. Or, the entire band raising their glasses while on stage in the middle of Illusion and Dream, singing “Here’s to you”. To say that I had goosebumps would be an understatement as my life seemed to have changed that night. Years of obsession with the band, finally lead on to the day when I could actually view the splendor of their presence physically.

This was my first experience of a POTF concert. I know for sure now, it definitely won’t be my last. And after the show, one thing I can vouch for with all honesty, I can now die a happy man…

Article by AYAN DAS

Photo Courtesy: Dhruv Bhutani