BIEBER’S ‘BIZARRE’ LIST FOR INDIA GIG WHAT DO YOU MEAN!

Musicians assess if the pop star’s demands are plain crazy tantrums or quite justified

There’s no need for any artist to be worried when Shera is around. He is very reliable and a no-nonsense person SALMAN KHAN, ACTOR Off-stage demands are uncalled for. I’d prefer having a better sound system at the cost of having a luxury car pick me up from the airport JUBIN NAUTIYAL, SINGER [International artists] become even more rigid about their demands when they perform in India KAILASH KHER, SINGER

The list of demands by Canadian pop star Justin Bieber, who performs in Mumbai on May 10, has everyone talking about it. The 23-year old has listed things ranging from a private Rolls Royce to a convoy of luxury cars and Volvo buses. He has really got down to details, specifying a particular video game console and a washing machine among the items absolutely required.

Are these a huge star’s pointless demands? The music industry is divided on it. Some feel the demands are justified; others feel they are no more than starry tantrums.

Singer Jubin Nautiyal feels that a musician should get whatever he wants for his performance, but that offstage demands are uncalled for. “You can’t compromise with things being asked for while the artist is performing. It’s about being comfortable,” he says.

Singer Jasleen Royal feels that even the “weirdest demands” make sense for live shows. For example, she adds, some artists may ask for a particular brand of towels, because if they get scratchy towels, it may affect their face.

Singer Kailash Kher, who had been the first to comment on actor Sonakshi Sinha’s unsuitability for an opening act at the Bieber concert, feels that these demands do amount to tantrums, but adds that organisers will fulfil them anyway. “They’re big stars and when they come [to India], it becomes a big deal,” says Kher.

Veteran musician Subir Malik, keyboardist for the Delhi-based band Parikrama, understands the “ridiculous” demands, seeing it from the artist’s perspective. “Singers like Justin Bieber are big stars. They need to be in their comfort zone. If any small thing goes wrong, [Bieber’s] reputation as a live artist will take a hit,” Malik says.

Amit Khilam of the Delhibased band Indian Ocean says that these demands can also ensure that concert organisers get all the details right.

Rounding it off, composer Anu Malik thinks that the “big baggage” is okay, as “pop stars are pop stars” and people are crazy about them. He adds, “I’m glad that someone like Bieber is coming to India.”