WORDS HARRY K / IMAGES GOSIA CZYZNIEWSKA
It was Kula Shaker at the O2 Ritz Manchester tonight. To be honest, I only really know one of their albums, “K”, but I love it and it’s part of my record collection. But they have quite a back catalogue.
Kula Shaker is an English psychedelic rock band led by frontman Crispian Mills. They made their name during the post-Britpop era of the late 1990s and enjoyed success in the UK between 1996 and 1999, with many Top 10 hits on the UK Singles Chart, including “Tattva”, “Hey Dude”, “Govinda”, “Hush”, and “Sound of Drums”. Their debut album, “K”, reached No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart.
The band is known for their interest in traditional Indian music, culture, and mysticism. Many of their most famous songs, including “Tattva” and “Govinda”, feature lyrics written in Sanskrit. The name “Kula Shaker” was inspired by King Kulasekhara, an Indian king from the 9th century. In addition, many of the band’s songs feature traditional Indian instruments, such as the sitar, tamboura, and tabla, mixed with guitar-driven indie rock.
They disbanded in September 1999 and reformed in 2004 for the “School of Braja” compilation album. This led to plans for a full comeback, although the reformation was not widely publicised until the beginning of 2006. The band’s third album, “Strangefolk”, was issued in 2007, and their fourth, “Pilgrims Progress”, was released in 2010. The band returned with a mostly sold-out European tour and new album “K 2.0” in 2016. Following a six-year hiatus, Kula Shaker returned with their sixth album, “1st Congregational Church Of Eternal Love And Free Hugs”. This year, they have released “Natural Magick”, which has fueled excitement among fans to see the band live once more.
The opening act was Wonky-funk cartoon freaks SILENT-K, who played a set full of infectious melodies and electrifying, rip-roaring hip-hop-infused rock n roll.
The lights dropped low, and Kula Shaker took to the stage and launched into “Gaslighting” before moving straight into the brilliant “Hey Dude”, one of their biggest hits, and the room burst into life. With a shout-out to Manchester, they wasted no time in playing the title track of their new record, “Natural Magic”, then into “Indian Record Player” and “Start All Over”.
Next up was “Infinite Sun”, with Crispian Mills resplendent in green and gold kaftan, adorned with gold mandala, shaking his blonde mop-top from side to side and grooving around the stage. As the songs kept coming, the atmosphere in the venue was full of feel-good vibes, with people singing at the top of their voices and swaying along to the songs they love.
The biggest cheers of the night were for the big hitters like “Hush”, “Grateful When You’re Dead”, “Tattva”, and “Govinda”. After the obligatory encore, which included a groovy cover of “Groove Is In The Heart” by Deelite, it was all over, and nostalgia seemed to have reigned supreme tonight. I enjoyed Kula Shaker, loved hearing those tunes that have been the soundtrack to those seemingly endless summers in the nineties, as well as the tunes from the new record, which show that this band is not done with making, cool, groovy, Indian-influenced indie pop records.
SET LIST
1/ GASLIGHTING
2/ HET DUDE
3/ WAVES
4/ NATURAL MAGICK
5/ INDIAN RECORD PLAYER
6/ START ALL OVER
7/ INFINITE SUN
8/ I’M STILL HERE
9/ GRATEFUL WHEN YOUR DEAD / JERRY WAS THERE
10/ SHOWER YOUR LOVE
11/ HAPPY BIRTHDAY
12/ IDONTWANNAPAYMYTAXES
13/ F-BOMBS
14/ 303
15/ TATTVA
16/ HUSH
ENCORE
17/ NARAYANA
18/ GREAT HOSANNAH
19/ GOVINDA
20/ GROOVE IS IN THE HEART
FOLLOW KULA SHAKER
FOLLOW SILENT-K
My life is a soundtrack, i track my life through music, photography is my passion, my escape, my expression. Without both i have pieces missing, thankfully i’m blessed and get to combine both.
Born in Manchester, lived in Australia for 22 years where i was heavily involved in the Australian Music Industry, firstly in bands (Singer) and then managing bands (all original), I moved back to the UK, Wales specifically 10 years ago
