Rockaway Negombo to rock in style

Dilanka MANNAKKARA

It's a ground breaking a concept, refreshing difference to the monotonous music scene in Sri Lanka and its called Rockaway Negombo. Chill House project based in Negombo wil be staging the musical talent in Negombo to the entire music loving public on December 4 at the Maristella College Gymnasium at 7 pm.

The entire proceedings of this concert will be donated to the Prasanna Children's Home Demanhandiya. The evening will include a mixture of Sinhala and English pop songs, Baila, Rock, RnB as well as Reggae.

The music for the concert will be provided by homeboys of Negombo - Untitled - which is one of the most exciting and upcoming bands in the island. Untitled which consists of six musicians is led by the dynamic Rajitha Fernando and has marveled audiences throughout in a very short span of time with their musical magic. According to Rajitha Fernando, the reggae popular duo of Jaya Sri will be the guest artists for the concert and they will be specifically flying over for Rockaway Negombo.

Untitled who would be backing up for the whole musical extravaganza will be doing rock, pop, reggae and rock and roll (both English and Sinhala). They would also introduce a new concept for Baila which would be a surprise for many.

The RnR Dance club - trained by Shehan Fernando (winners of all island Latin dance competition 2010) will be doing a special dance with his group lighting up the bodies with LED's.

The performers include the enormously talented 16 year old Aby Elisha and is ABRSM grade 5 all island high scorer for voice. She would be singing a couple of Rihanna's songs. Nirusha Fernando,an opera singer who is Rajitha's own sister will showcase her talent in some Evanesence tracks while Shenali Augustine, SriLankan Airlines stewardess will be doing a cover version of Sheryl Crow's First cut is the deepest.

The male performers include the rock voice of Pubudu Senarathne doing covers of Seether and Guns and Roses while 18 year old Pramuk Elica who has already completed his debut album will be singing Nadee Ganga and Hotel California. Aurin Martinez the younger brother of Aundre Martinez, the musical sensation in London and the founder of the band 'Martinez brothers' will also be seen in action.

Rockaway will also feature "Esh" an emerging artist in Negombo who has released a couple of originals with his latest hit video of Hada dinu kumara released last week. He will be doing Queen and his originals. Last but not least Vox one - the famous classical choir in Negombo trained by Harin Deekshan will be doing a special Pop performance.

Rajitha concluded by telling that they could have had a famous band and singers performing but they wanted to showcase home grown Negombo talent and give the music loving audience, a novel experience by having amateur yet gifted artists who were unraveled by several auditions and he invites everyone to come to Negombo and experience the "Talent in Negombo".