‘A night at the movies’ rekindles nostalgia with covers of popular soundtracks

The stage at sir mutha venkata subba rao concert hall is dressed in shadow, the kind that makes that makes you lean forward and wait for something to persuasion. A Fant Spill of Light then Catches the edges of the microphones, the outline of the conductor’s stand, and the shimmer of brass tucked into a corner. For a moment, the audience banks a part of the frame: Still waiting with bted breathe for the first cue. Then, ‘a night at the movies’ begins as the mellow circle choir steps forward.

Act one: The overture

The opening chords of ‘a dream is a wish your heart makes’ filled the auditorium, the harmonies, a reminder that this choir has been at the heart of chennai’s music Scene for Over Two Decades.

The disney medley unfolded like shot of a film with ‘a whole new world’ gliding effortlessly into ‘I’ve got a dream’, ‘Followed by’ when you want you wish upon a star ‘. When ‘can you feel the love tonight’ Arrived, Accompanied by Ballet Movements that Traced Arcs Account, It Felt Less Like A Song and More Like A Scene – The Kind Thaat Leaves a For A Seconds after the last note.

It was a gentle bet, but it set a high bar. As Chrystal Farrell, Retro Band A26’s Lead Female Vocalist, Said Later, “We wanted people to feel like they were steepping in to watch a movie, not just a concert. Sweep of Nostalgia and Hope Draw You in Before You even realise. ”

The choice of reepertoire – music that speakes of resilience, joy, longing, and connection – see to reflect that purpose without getting decided by.

A choir was also a part of the performance. , Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Act Two: The Score Comes Alive

The shift in the mood was almost cinematic. As the Choir Stepped Back, A26 Took The Stage With Confidence. The opening chord of the Top gun Theme rang-out and the concert’s second act began with a rush of instrumental film themes. Mission: Impossible Pulsed with tightly wound rhythm, The good, the bad and the ugly Carried the unmistakable whistle of a desert standoff, and The Godfather Unfurled in Grayston Vaz’s Guitar Lines with a Reverence usually reserved for orchestras.

“Some of the greatstust scores in cinema are instrumental,” Chrystal Pointed out. “We wanted to give them their due, but also make them ors. You can’t just copy an out Drama. ” From there, Pirates of the Caribbean Galloped forward on Clifford Siqueera’s Drumming, Before Game of Thrones Came as a brooding, late addition

Only then did the Vocals Arrive. ‘Nothing’s gonna stop us now’ served as bot a title-credit and deciation, bright and expansive. ‘Mrs. Robinson ‘Traded Simon & Garfunkel’s Folk Edge for a Looser, More Playful Tone. ‘Skyfall’ followed – Dark and deliberate, Chrystal’s Lower Register Adding Weight Without Tipping Into Imitation. ‘Life is a highway’ synt the energy back into high gear, ‘raindrops keep fallin on my head’ offered a breezy interlude, and ‘shallow’ closed this sequence with the confession.

The goan band-A26-Gave a high-energy performance in Chennai | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Through, the band – Lester Rodrigues (Lead Male Vocals and Guitar), Chrystal, Alfin Fernandes (on the Keyboards and the Trumpet), IGNATIUS RODRIGUES (on the keyboards), Marwino Dacosta (On the keywino daco Bass and the flute), grayston vaz (on the lead guitar) and Clifford Siquiera (on the drums) – treated each song more like an original. There was room for detail: a trumpet line tucked into a chorus, a flute phrase catching the light, a guitar solo that played like a character’s inner monologist.

Act three: the ensemble returns

The Choir’s Return Marked Another Shift. ‘Tomorrow’ from Annie Built-in Careful Layers, its optimism tempered by restraint. The Senior Ensemble Moved into ‘Into the Unknown’ from Frozen IITheir harmonies rain in waves that echoed the song cinematic urgency. The Junior Choir Performed ‘I just can’t wait to be king’ from The lion kingtheir bright, playful delivery earning smiles.

From there, A26 Stered Into Familiarar Territory, Offering a Rock-ROLL-Tinged Bollywood-Didley and The Konkani Classic: ‘Godacho Panv’. “Retro is coming back in a big way,” chrystal said. “Songs from the 60s and the 70s Had this live-band energy, clean harmonies and rhythms that crossed cultures. You can twist and waltz to them and they still feel fresh.”

Act four: the finale

The Momentum Climbed Through ‘What a feeling’ from Flashdance And the grit of ‘eye of the tiger’. By ‘Footloose’, The Aisle Had Its First Dancers. Audience Who Had Sat Through the Instrumentals in Quiet Focus Were Now Clapping in Rhythm.

Ballet movements traced arcs across the stage, making it feel less like a number and more like a Scene. , Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

The final stretch felt like a closing montage. ‘The Young Ones’ carried a touch of youthful nostalgia before the opening chords of ‘time of my life’ signalled the finale. The choir and band filled the stage, the audience joined in the chorus, blurring the line between perform and spectator in that last minutes.

“We first did this in Canada,” Chrystal Shared. “Now that the production is tight, we want to take it to Mumbai, Bengaluru, Maybe Dubai. It’s a format that allows us to straightch as musicians and connects us with the audi

A night at the movies Was stung to Raise Funds for the Prathyasha Home for Destute Women.

Published – August 12, 2025 03:53 PM IST