Counterfeit Beatles Live @ Imphal (Revival)
- Magical Mystery Tour 2011 -

Lukhendro Keisham *

Magical Mystery Tour, Imphal
11th of December, 2011

Counterfeit Beatles, a tribute band of the legendary Beatles of United Kingdom performed at the Bheigachandra Open Air Theatre (B.O.A.T) in Imphal on the 11th of Dec. 2011 as a part of the Magical Mystical Tour. Along with Counterfeit Beatles were the Dirty Strikes, Kanglasha and Recycle who performed that evening.

Opening the show were the young and the limitless Dirty Strikes. They put up a good beginning making the crowd ready to welcome any genre. The band showed signs of improvement with better co-ordination compared to previous shows.

Kanglasha, one of the most happening Imphal based rock band was the next on the line. They thrilled the crowd with songs from Iron Maiden to Kid Rock. The band introduced a female vocalist who shell be part of the Kanglasha team. Said to be in eight grade school she enacted a not-so-kid stage presence with the cover "I Remember You" by Skid Row. A classic look it was as the bass guitarist was greeted with a cigarette lighted for him by a fan during their cover "Back In Black" by the legendary AC/DC. It was truly bringing back the old days.

Recycle as usual were clean and calm. With never failing impression to impress the audience the band with its soft action ed, clean analog guitar sound, ambient mood, fabulous bass and simplicity drum works did the talking. Fans roll on the stage to greet the band. A close friend of the band shouted "Recycle!! The best band in Manipur" among the crowd. With a cover from their favorite band Incubus they went on and on giving the audience what they wanted. It was a crazy experience waiting for the Counterfeit Beatles. The band ended their slot with a song called "True Lies".

Screaming voices, flashing shutter lights and an uncontrollable crowd as the Counterfeit Beatles make their entrance on their signature gentleman's suits of the Beatles. The crowd went a little too wild rushing to the front stage to greet their star of the evening. Security personals who were on duty had a really tough time backing off the crowds trying to break the human wall.

With a total of three costume changes in their entire show the CB paid a trusted tribute to the Beatles. The instruments the band used were exact replica of the original Beatles. It was a welcome back recall to the 60s watching the show.

Welcoming the audience with songs written in 1964 to the melodic harmonica tune the Counterfeits never leaves their smile till the end. The youngest member of the band Dave Lindsay who took the drums for Ringo Starr was the cutest touring the world keeping alive the fame of Beatles.

No doubt that the band was truly remarkable and exclusive in presenting the faith and glory of the Beatles here in the heart of the Land of Jewels. The acoustic guitar parts, the leg shaking moves and hippies costume made the air smell of the days gone by. We grow up listening to Beatles and this time its watching the oldies in that amphitheater romancing in the tune of their youth days. The infamous fact that "The Beatles came to India in 1968" shell now be more closely talked about as their shadow returns in the form of the Counterfeit Beatles.

It was a true Beatlemania watching the crowd sing along with the band. Few even brought their whole family and a rare moment to see the spectators scream and shout praising their youthful Beatles in the form of the Counterfeits. Lost in the tunes of the Beatles the elderly crowds forgot to cover their childish acts that evening. Those English mans spoiled the crowd taking them back to the 60s. The security personals failed to make the crowd sit till the end. The Counterfeit Beatles finished the evening with Hey Jude on the come back request by the screaming fans.

Appreciation goes to the Thadoi Gypsy Entertainment for organizing such an event which will sure help the local artist and music enthusiast in building the music scene of Manipur by interacting and yet exchanging platforms with foreign artists. The State of Manipur needs more such privileges in future.

The Counterfeit Beatles were:
- Peter Bailey as Paul McCartney
- Dave Lindsay as Ringo Starr
- Harrison Woodrow as John Lennon
- Marvin Nayer as George Harrison

Event Name : Magical Mystery Tour, Imphal
Date : 11th of December, 2011
Venue : Bheigachandra Open Air Theater, Imphal
Organizer : Thadoi Gypsy Entertainment
Entry : Rs.100/-

Bands:

The Dirty Strikes (Imphal, IN) www.ReverbNation.com/TheDirtyStrikes
Kanglasha (Imphal, IN) www.Myspace.com/Kanglasha.Rocks
Recycle (Imphal, IN) www.Myspace.com/RecycleIndia
Counterfeit Beatles (London, UK) www.CounterfeitBeatles.com

**This review is also cross-posted at www.LukhendroKeisham.blogspot.com (here)