In the ’70s, during his stint as a young journalist, Kolkata's veteran drummer Nondon Bagchi once wrote, “Rock music is on its way out of India” in his article titled In India there's no making it big. Fifty years later, on Sunday August 6, The F16s, a Chennai-based alternative rock band, arrived at Kolkata’s Princeton Club to perform as part of their Rock n' Roll is Dead Tour.
The band began their set with consistent uptempo beats that persisted through the evening. Their tunes were irresistibly groovy, ensuring there wasn't a single dull moment. The audience was visibly moved, swaying energetically to the driving force of the pronounced bass lines.
Formed in Chennai in 2012, The F16s steadily gained recognition in the Indian indie music scene for their distinctive sound. Their debut EP, Kaleidoscope, came out in 2013 and was followed by other notable releases such as WKND FRNDS in 2019 and Is It Time To Eat The Rich Yet? in 2021.
The ensemble is known for blending indie, alternative, electronic, and garage rock elements in their songs, comprising booky basslines, synthesisers and evocative lyricism. With tracks touching on a range of themes from the deeply introspective to the universally relatable, their musical journey encapsulates both the serenity of mellow melodies and the energy of upbeat rhythms. While their sound resonates with global appeal, subtle nuances reflect their Indian origins.
Drawing from a rich musical background, the seasoned performers of The F16s took the stage. True to their reputation, the band journeyed through their discography, offering a mix of both old and new favourites. Their distinctive sonic style, a signature of The F16s, adds substantially to their mass appeal. There’s an unmistakable trademark in their music — when a song by The F16s plays, it’s immediately recognisable. However, this distinctiveness comes with its own set of challenges. Over time, their tracks can verge on the monotonous, with many songs bearing a striking resemblance to one another.
But even within this soundscape, certain tracks stand out. Trouble in Paradise, Moon Child, Sucks to be Human, and My Shallow Lover were highlights of the evening, each showcasing a different facet of the band’s musical prowess.
The band comprises Josh Fernandez on the guitar and vocals, Abhinav Krishnaswamy on guitar, Sashank Manohar on bass and Harshan Radhakrishnan on the keys. For the Kolkata show, Tapass Naresh took on the drumming duties.
Over the years, The F16s have garnered acclaim for their contribution to the indie music scene in India, playing at major festivals and touring internationally. However, their journey wasn't devoid of challenges. Reflecting on this, Abhinav remarks: “The challenges faced by an indie band in India are significant. Singing in English in a country with many languages presents challenges, yet our presence in the industry has been consistent. Over time, it seems people have begun to appreciate our unique sound. We're passionate about our music and will continue to produce it, and it's heartening to see more listeners catching up. It feels like we've now reached a point where a majority are on board, though it did take time. In our early days, we played anywhere and everywhere that would host us, often for minimal compensation.”
Being an independent band in India, reaching even a modest level of success took them a decade, according to the guitarist. For years they faced uncertainty about their ability to sustain themselves solely through their music. “Nevertheless, it's truly a privilege to be where we are now,” he says.
The F16s: Josh Fernandez, Abhinav Krishnaswamy, Sashank Manohar, and Harshan Radhakrishnan Shantanu Krishnan
The concert’s visuals were impressive — costumes, lighting, and ambience all culminating in an immersive experience. However, one couldn't help but feel that the audio mix could have been calibrated for the words to be lucid and more audible. The instrumentals, though passionate and energetic, occasionally overshadowed the lyrical essence of their songs.
With an active career spanning over a decade, two EPs, two full-length albums and several singles, the band has become one of the most distinguished Indian rock outfits of the present time. Talking about future plans to release new music, Josh says, “Yes, absolutely. We've taken steps to produce new music. In fact, just before starting this tour, we took a trip to Ooty, primarily to immerse ourselves in the process. We stayed there and, in a sense, self-isolated. We brought all our equipment and set it up in the house to facilitate our writing. So yes, definitely.”
As an avid listener of their music, I must admit that for this particular show, I found the studio versions of their tracks more resonant than the live performance.
