Delhi 2 Dublin review

The original article as sent to the newspaper: On Friday March 4, 2016 west coast locals Delhi 2 Dublin returned to Victoria, BC. After a few mixes by Oregon deejays The Sugarbeats, the headliners bounded onto stage. I had never seen Delhi 2 Dublin perform, and when I inquired about their general sound beforehand I had only been told it was anything but general. These guys have somehow combined bhangra, celtic, electronic, hip-hop, and reggae music carried by an array of instruments and purely pliable talent. The group of five took the stage by storm, getting the entire crowd jumping with the first song. The three founding members from the band’s inception in 2006 are now joined with James Hussain on electric guitar and Serena Eades on violin (and tambourine). From the first track there wasn’t a still body in the place. Original member Ravi Binning was by far the most enticing act to watch. I had never before seen a dhol, let alone realized what an energetic and powerful instrument it is! This double-headed drum, shaped like a wine barrel and only slightly smaller, was dressed in tassels and hoisted over Binning’s shoulder with a single strap. Using two different "drum sticks” (called a dagga and tihli) he hammered incessantly on either end, carrying and emphasizing every track with loud and steady bass. Throughout each song their unwavering dedication to modern day Bhangra music was evident. Not only with the authentic instruments but the light rhythms that floated atop the underlying beat, keeping the audience in constant motion. On stage left Tarun Nayar was alternating between his electronic control panels and hand-played tabla percussion - similar to bongos. Once lead singer Sanjay Seran had enticed the crowd to give in fully to the rhythm, all hands bouncing in the air, Nayar left his set up and carried a floor tom to centre stage. The group cleared away as he and Binning had a base-beat battle, both pounding their drums while bouncing and egging the audience towards a culmination of ecstatic cheers and cat-calls. Not only do Delhi 2 Dublin ensure upbeat, complex, and fully danceable tunes, but they put on one helluva show to boot. Keeping the crowd in constant motion, they leave swarms of fully exhilarated and happily exhausted music-lovers behind. Keep an eye out for their inevitable return to their homebase of Vancouver BC, because this is a group not to be missed! ~ and a link to the edited version printed in the Nexus Newspaper: http://www.nexusnewspaper.com/2016/03/05/delhi-2-dublin-bring-their-unique-sound-to-an-exhilarating-night-in-victoria/