Not that they lacked for inspiration. Minutes before the show started, actor-model Marc Robinson came on-stage and, with characteristic gusto, proceeded to symbolically rip apart the Stage Performances Scrutiny Board's carefully spelt out instructions on rock-show conduct. Turning to veejay Sophiya who had come up with him, he said, ``Hey, baby, I want to kiss you!'' ``Okay!'' said an equally enthusiastic Sophiya.

The clinch that followed was also viewed by four members of the board who were part of the audience. They sat quiet for the time being, but presumably informed Board chairman Shantaram Nandgaonkar. Later, speaking to The Indian Express, Nandgaonkar said: ``We will decide on action against Marc Robinson after weget the full report.''

However, Robinson's little tableau of protest did little to perk up the audience. The band played ten of their numbers of which the only ones that seemed to liven the crowd were I Want You and Truly, Madly, Deeply.

The show began at 8.20 pm, more than an hour late, prompting restive spectators to set up a chant, demanding that the music begin -- probably the only instance of audience participation during the entire show.

Savage Garden, for its part, played diplomatic. Asked at the press conference what he thought of the code of conduct, band member Darren Hayes said, ``Well, this is your country. I am your guest, and we're here to make music, and you're here to enjoy it.''Among the audience were celebrity couple Arjun Rampal and Mehr Jessia. ``The whole thing sucks,'' said Rampal of Navalkar's directives. ``Why do you want to disturb the show?''

But Vineet Kanchan of the Citizens Organisation for Public Opinion took a belligerent view of Robinson's defiance of the orders. ``MarcRobinson is a respected celebrity,'' he said. ``He incited and encouraged the audience to kiss.''

Among the few youths who took Robinson's message to heart were Rajesh and his partner. ``As you can see, we're smooching,'' Rajesh told The Indian Express. ``No one's here to stop us.''

It wasn't just the spunky spectators that got away; lyrics form the song Universe the Board had found offensive were belted out loud and clear; the `instructions' that were to be announced thrice during the show didn't come on once. And `No Smoking' signs went unheeded, the presence of security guards at the venue notwithstanding.

And even for the spectators that only half-filled the venue, the show wasn't much to write home about. Bored groups were seen leaving the ground as early as 9 pm. ``For 350 bucks, this show sucked,'' said a disgruntled rock-lover in passing.