Retro music always has us dreaming up of long hair, exuberant sideburns and gravelly voices weaving a spell over an enrapt audience. Bringing those golden hits back to stage is ‘Go Retro’, happening on June 8. The show will see performances highlighting several young bands in addition to the legends of that genre. The organizers [...]

The Sundaytimes Sri Lanka

Recalling those retro hits

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Retro music always has us dreaming up of long hair, exuberant sideburns and gravelly voices weaving a spell over an enrapt audience. Bringing those golden hits back to stage is ‘Go Retro’, happening on June 8.

The show will see performances highlighting several young bands in addition to the legends of that genre. The organizers are looking to make a statement about the retro music scene in Sri Lanka. “Everyone always thinks of the older retro bands when they think of this genre,” says Melantha Fernando of the band Backstage, who will perform at the show. “But something a lot of people don’t know is that there are quite a number of young bands who are also performing these hits, and performing them well.”

Along with Backstage, upcoming bands such as Glory, Sintonia, Missing Link and Battery are also set to be the main attractions of the show. Strengthening the set list are some legends including-Noeline Honter, Rajitha Rupasinghe of Misty, Clifford Richards and Mirage will also join these bands for a night to remember.

Speaking to some of the performers before the show we were struck by their passion for the genre. “Personally I believe that the best music came from that era,” says Melantha who believes that these are the real gems of pop music and he’s determined to ensure his contemporaries are exposed to these classics.

Donald Pieris of Mirage fame is just glad that these young bands are taking the initiative to organize such an event. As the extremely experienced front man of Mirage, Donald has seen his fair share of retro music bands come and go. Mirage formed in the late 80’s and spent almost a decade abroad, returning in 2008. “When we started we didn’t have the facilities that these guys have now,” he says wryly. “We had to start from scratch. So it’s really nice to see so many young bands emerging in the industry, and to know that our music is not fading away.”

Among the bands taking stage – ‘Battery’ having formed in 2007 has garnered mainstream success with their Sinhala hits, and they also perform a wide variety of western music. Sintonia is a Colombo based jazz and funk band. Glory is a five member multi genre band while Missing Link is made up of four folk, country, rock and retro musicians who also perform an instrument each.

As if this line up of accomplished and upcoming musicians wasn’t impressive enough, the show is also in aid of a fantastic cause. The concert is organised by the Senior Wesley Guild of the Methodist Church, Koralawella in aid of the church building fund. The Methodist Church of Koralawella was built in the late 1800’s and to mark the 125th anniversary the Church, organisers embarked on a project to build a new Church complex. This event is one of many that will pour funds into a Rs. 48 million project that will benefit the community.

‘Go Retro’ happens from 7pm onwards on June 8 at the Bishop’s College Auditorium. Tickets for the show are available at the Park Street Mews, The Commons and Yamaha Music Centre.




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