F1 to rock music fans

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Last year the Formula One hit the capital-NCR for the first time and showed the fans that the event is not only about speed, but much more. Besides the racing cars, what kept their spirits up were the side events, particularly the music shows by international performers like Lady Gaga, Roger Sanchez, Edward Maya among others.
This year too, while the noise of the speeding cars are set to keep the adrenaline rushing, there are music performances lined up to keep the Delhiites entertained. While some of the artistes coming to the capital have been confirmed, many more are still to be finalised.
As a part of the F1 Rocks series, DNA Entertainment is bringing American and Mexican guitarist, Carlos Santana, who will be performing at the Galgotia University, Greater Noida. With an entourage of 35, Santana is set to present “Greatest Hits Tour” for his Indian fans.
T. Venkat Vardhan, managing director, DNA Networks says, “Santana’s music appeals to an audience across generations and thus he is the perfect choice for F1 Rocks.”
Askari Zaidi, senior vice-president, corporate communications, Jaypee Sports International (JPSI), the organisers of Formula One in Noida, says that the side elements at F1 are the mood setters and as as important as the main race. “All over the world, whenever there is an F1 event, other things like music performances, fashion nights and tourism events happen alongside. We have already set the mood at the circuit with the recently concluded NH7 Weekender where artistes like Megadeth performed,” says Vardhan. He says that while others like LAP, hotel Samrat, the official partner of F1 after-parties are still in the process of finalising the artistes, Amber Lounge Delhi that is hosting the official Indian Grand Prix 2012 party on October 27 and 28, recently announced a performance by DJ Taboo, founding member of the band The Black Eyed Peas.
“Owner, LAP, Arjun Rampal is yet to make the announcements of performances at the venue. I think almost six artistes have been confirmed. However, we have a Bollywood music fiesta with performances by singer Shaan and composers Vishal and Shekhar, planned on the last day of the race at the circuit alongside the main racing event,” adds Vardhan.
The musicians performing at the event are trying to keep up to the theme of the event. Taboo will be performing solo with an interactive experience, blending his DJ talents with high energy dance.
Shaan says that to equal up to the racing mood of the audience at the track, he has planned a medley that will open with the songs from Ferrari Ki Sawari. “I have planned a remix kit of 20-odd songs in the light dance music genre that we will perform non-stop alongside the racing cars. Besides the popular Hindi numbers, we will grab hook of some English songs like Dynamite for the performance,” he says.
Many Delhi-based college bands are getting a platform to perform too. They will open the shows for Shaan and Vishal-Shekhar. There’s also a performance by Shillong-based Blue Rock band, Soulmate, that will open the show for Santana with Vladivar.