What feeds the booming Music Festival scenario in India
What does one say about a country like India which verily has a multitude of music genres and the count of which is only mounting? Music has been the go-to leisure preference for Indian music lovers since ages. Folk music, film music, classical music, light classical music, devotional music, independent music tagged to the melodies from every region make the Indian music scenario as vibrant as can be.
Every part of India has its own musical lingo that is complete in itself. With the massive upsurge in producing and consuming music in the digital format Indian music is no longer relegated to the peripheries of India. In fact, it has traveled far and wide with the Indian performers gaining world-wide acceptance thanks to their exotic, colorful and universal appeal. While this is a welcome development what really has been a gamechanger is the equally free-flowing passage of international sounds into the country. The heady mix of the two has sounded the bugle for the music scenario to expand like never before.
These and a plethora of other factors have influenced the robust Music Festival culture prevalent today. While it would be great to usher it all under one umbrella, it is without a trace of doubt that socio-cultural, economic, and last but not the least, a whole new breed of music listeners has brought in a refreshing aura to the larger music scenario.
Music Festivals couldn’t have had it better!
The spurt in music festivals can also be put in perspective through the meteoric rise of independent artists and talented bands lining up an eclectic mix of performers. The ready availability of music and social media platforms like Spotify, Reddit, YouTube among a multitude of others also add a solid beat to the cause of emerging talent. Gone are the days, when aspiring musicians waited years to get an opportunity to showcase their musical chops. These new and snazzy platforms are the one-way-ticket to getting discovered almost off the cuff and if luck have it transport boy and girl musical wonders into performing at one of India’s music festivals.
The crowd pulling Jodhpur Riff, at the Mehrangarh Fort during Sharad Purnima that brings the creme de la creme of international and local folk artists is a sublime aural treat. NH7 held at Pune, Bangalore, Kolkata and Delhi arguably the classiest 3-day Indie Music offers Rock, Metal, Ethnic fusion as its staple fare. Western Jazz and tribal folk music punctuate the air around the outer limits of Bangalore under a Banyan tree at the exotic Fireflies music festival. Kasauli, Nashik, Manali, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, apart from the regular destinations, emit some of the soothing, pulsating and unforgettable riffs audiences love to soak in to get into the groove.
The fact that music festivals today are much more than a musical event has to be taken into account. Music festivals across India are an irresistible experience zone replete with classical stage designing, great food, art stalls and opportunities to network with a global congregation of music lovers and talent scouters. With corporate sponsorship flowing in offer organizers the liberty to better production quality and upscale the event to a whole new level of extravaganza.
Few of the popular music fests where you can feel the wind in your hair this year include:
ZIRO Music Festival Arunachal Pradesh – a one-of-a-kind outdoor music festival being held from the 28th September to 1st October featuring the resplendent North Eastern tribal and local talent along with the best in class Indian and international independent musicians.
NH7 Weekender Pune which is among the most visited and patronized music festivals in India are the multi-city, multi-genre NH 7 Weekender. Pune will play host to this gala euphonic treat from the 25th-27th November. With notes from Pop, Folk, Electronic, Indie-rock filling the air akin a mist, revelers have the time of their lives.
30th September to October 2 witnesses the genre-defying Kasual Music Festival in the party capital of the Himalayas. Music and the Himalayas sounds like a dream come true idyllic locale.
The Global Indie Festival at the Dublin Square Phoenix Market Square in the heart of Mumbai sees the convergence of the top Indie-Pop, Hip-Hop, Rap and Rock artists on the 4th-5th November.
Cherry Blossom Festival, Shillong: What began as an opportunity to showcase the unique beauty of the Himalayan cherry blossom flowers has now evolved into the state’s most loved festival concert, providing the biggest artist line-up and set-up the state has ever seen. The festival, this year, is being held from 17th to 19th November.
Electronic music performers will bunch up at the Sunburn festival in Goa where electronic dance music holds sway. Touted to be one of Asia’s biggest EDMs, the festival this year is slated for a 28th through 31st December landing.
Hornbill, Nagaland: One of the biggest music festivals in the country, the Hornbill Music Festival is a 7-day cultural fest in the scenic vistas of Kohima from the 1st to the 10th of December every year. The festival, an initiative of the state government of Nagaland displays the talent of the diverse multi-ethnic tribes of Nagaland to the world. Upcoming Northeast bands and artists savour this opportunity to blend with the music virtuosos from different parts of the country.
Magnetic Fields, Rajasthan: Set in the magnificent Alsisar Mahal in Shekhawat, Rajasthan, Magnetic Fields is a stunning three-day music festival. Set in between the grandeur of golden triangle formed by Bikaner, Jaipur and Delh, the festival held in December, aims at promoting the countries freshest sounds and offers a rostrum to break into the music industry by pitching them alongside music legends.
Mahindra Blues, Mumbai: Asia’s biggest Blues music festival, Mahindra Blues takes place in Mumbai every February. The festival promotes the local blues community by bringing globally established blues artists and budding blues artists in India on a common platform. Tourists can relish the local food and bustling nightlife of the city in tandem with this elite music festival.
Storm, Bangalore: Celebrating various music genres like folk, indie and electronic; this music festival on the outskirts of Bangalore thrills music patrons for three dazzling nights. Held in January each year, Storm is famed for its vast lush venue that offers a unique mix of adventure sports along with live music.
Rang, New Delhi: The festival celebrates the spirit of music with the colours of Holi in the capital city of Delhi. Vibrant colours, water splashes, exotic cocktails and exclusive Holi special delicacies are part of this festive event. The unique music festival promises the ultimate electronic music experience.
Tansen Music Festival, Gwalior: November is the month when the Annual Tansen Music Festival zeroes into Gwalior with prominent musicians from the country performing scintillating recitals against the backdrop of the Tomb of Tansen.
With the festive season on the anvil it is also the time of the year when India’s sparkling music festival scenario readies itself to bedazzle the steady influx of music lovers and connoisseurs across the alleys.
Bring it on. We echo!
– By VIBHAV RAO
