While it only takes four hours to get from Bengaluru to Chennai on a superfast train, it has taken almost a year for Thermal And A Quarter to come back for yet another electrifying performance in the city. The saying “good things come to those who wait” rings true for fans of the band as their period of anticipation has finally come to an end.
“This time, we’re coming with a different set. We will be playing a lot of songs from our last album, *A World Gone Bad*, but also some older songs, and we also have some special guests joining us on stage,” reveals Bruce Lee Mani, the founder and lead guitarist of Thermal And A Quarter.
Thermal And A Quarter, often affectionately abbreviated as TAAQ, is no stranger to the Chennai music scene, having delighted audiences in the city for years. The upcoming gig promises to be extra special, featuring collaborations with two notable Chennai-based musicians—Sriram TT from Skrat, and 19-year-old guitarist Amithav Gautam. “Sriram is an old buddy. We’ve been in the same circle for many years, and he shows up at every one of our Chennai gigs. He knows all the words to all our songs, so we thought it would sound nice to have him sing a couple of songs with us as well,” says Mani, who also divulges that their collaboration with Amithav Gautam has been long overdue due to the young guitarist’s age. “Now, he’s actually of age and he can play. It will be interesting to see what he brings. We’re doing one original song with him and then a few more.”
Discussing the setlist, Bruce notes, “One of the downsides of being a band as long as we have is that we have a great number of songs. Putting down a setlist is a battle sometimes, but we’ve found a balance.”
Rajeev, the band’s drummer, expounds on their evolving performance style, mentioning that although TAAQ is known for lengthy sets that often extend over two hours, this time, they’re focusing on creating a thematic experience. “This whole approach only started after our last Chennai set, so it will be substantially different from the last time,” he explains.
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The concert at Bay 146 on July 26 will also mark the premiere of their newest single, ‘Raise the Bar.’ “I think the surprise is that we still need to figure out that song. We recorded it, did a bunch of other gigs, but we have not practised it at all,” laughs Bruce. The single, which has been recently released on major streaming platforms, carries a retro rock vibe. However, it appears to be an unexpected addition to their setlist. “The surprise is also that it’s not on the setlist yet,” jibes Rajeev.
Known for their commitment to nurturing the music scene, Rajeev shares, “We are in our 30th year of playing and what we’ve constantly tried to do wherever we go, is to help the scene.” The four-person band has a tradition of conducting workshops and frequently collaborates with burgeoning musicians in the cities they perform. “This is our way of helping the overall music scene develop,” Rajeev adds.
Mark your calendars for Thermal And A Quarter’s much-anticipated performance at Bay 146, The Savera Hotel at 9 pm on July 26. With an evening filled with a harmonious blend of fresh tunes and time-honored classics and a few surprises up their sleeves, it promises to be a memorable experience. Don’t miss out—grab your tickets from insider.in.
Thermal And A Quarter’s enduring passion and dedication to their craft and the broader music community is palpable. Their commitment to fostering new talent alongside reprising their most beloved tracks keeps them a mainstay in the hearts of fans, new and old alike. As they prepare to light up the stage in Chennai, the city awaits with bated breath for an unforgettable night of rock and roll.
