Hypnotik mesmerises patrons at Hilton’s LAB

By Madushka Balasuriya

On Wednesday night, the Hilton Colombo had an exclusive cocktail party with several members of Colombo high society on the guest list to preview the latest attraction at the LAB (Lounge & Bar): Hypnotik. 

The multi-talented band consisting of vocalists Fern Lessani, Sophie Messina and musicians Hein Busch (Musical Director, Keys and vocalist), Felix Antoine Bergeron (Guitar) and Loic Dion (Bass/vocals) and Ian Ludolph (Drums/vocalist), blared out hit after hit from the contemporary dance charts with no genre off limits. 

Be it easy listening Jazz, R&B, Rock, Reggae, Latin, Blues or the classics, the diverse collective with a truly multicultural background – they hail from Canada, South Africa, Britain, and Belgium – are definitely the most unique act in Colombo.

The LAB itself transforms in the evenings to accommodate the bands enthusiastic style, with an area in front of the band (and the bar) recast as a dance floor. Lead vocalists Lessani and Messina also do their part in enticing patrons to bop the night way, frequently making their way through and engaging with the crowd – with both harbouring backgrounds in dance, they make compelling arguments!

And of the sextet only one of them – Felix the guitarist – doesn’t sing, something he more than makes up for with his penchant for flair and showmanship. Suffice to say this is not your run-of-the-mill lounge act.

All the while patrons are treated to the LAB’s vast array of house cocktails as well as their extensive - and quite delicious - range of wines. On Wednesday night, we were also given a taste of some of the specialty food items that will be on offer for the duration of Hypnotik’s residency at the Hilton.

Dishes such as Peaking Duck Pancakes, Prawn & Jelly cocktails, Crumb Fried Hendallo, Cheese & Mushroom Kieves, and Vegetarian Rotis among others made their way around and were copiously consumed by patrons, who were as captivated by the food and drink as by the music on offer.

With the band playing every night barring Sundays (Tuesday and Wednesday 8:30 p.m. to 1 a.m., Thursdays 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., and on Fridays and Saturdays until 2 a.m.) all the way until August, Hilton’s LAB makes a persuasive case for your evening’s attention. And with the LAB already offering arguably some of the best cocktails and grub around, Hypnotik’s stay is bound to be a resounding success.

Pix by Upul Abayasekara