Tuareg band Tinariwen on stage at Echoes of Earth 2023 in Bengaluru. Photo: Courtesy of Echoes of Earth
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In their sixth edition, Echoes of Earth Festival in Bengaluru maintained a strong identity sonically, thematically and visually, sticking with what works for the most part. Held on December 2nd and 3rd, star power came in the form of Indian-origin artist Sid Sriram, Tuareg band Tinariwen, German DJ-producer Len Faki and more.
On ground amid the weeds and dirt paths, Canada’s Modern Biology aka Tarun Nayar remained a big draw. Not only is it one of the few times a Banyan Tree can be sampled on stage, but where else do you hear someone thanking a mushroom company for sourcing their performance?
The Instagram-friendly Enchanted Forest, fantastical art installations made from scrap materials and more made sure that plenty of focus lay on the visual aesthetic for Echoes of Earth, perhaps in the way that it can always spark curiosity enough for people to want to be in the middle of it.
Kochi fusion act Thaikkudam Bridge were likely the heaviest band in the festival’s history to perform with songs like “Thekkini,” but they also mixed it up with songs like “Saalaikal.” They joined the day one lineup, which also included Chennai act Sunflower Tape Machine, New Delhi singer-producer Sijya and was headlined by Tinariwen. There was a spot of rain by the time the Malian rock, blues and even country-informed band got on stage. They needed a few tents to keep going, belting out hypnotic desert blues and Afro rock.
On day two, we caught Bengaluru-based artists like Yuhina and Mary Ann Alexander set a diverse pace for the day, which Ari Roland Jazz Quartet added to as well, under the Banyan Tree. The crowd-pleasing jazz style gave way to New Delhi pianist-composer Sahil Vasudeva at the Elephant stage, drawing from Western Classical roots but also offering his rendition of Polish pianist Hania Rani’s “Glass,” which he called his “most techno track.”
Echoes of Earth also had a big draw for its food and beverage, which was conveniently placed between stages as attendees went across catching artists like Binkbeats, Kentaya Hayashi and Takuya Nakamura. The international heft of the lineup extended on day two to include Nabihah Iqbal‘s dreamy, trippy set at the Rhino Beetle stage by sundown. Playing her album Dreamer, there were hints of post-rock, shoegaze and more, heard on songs like “In Light,” “Sunflower” and “This World Couldn’t See Us.”
Over at the Elephant stage, Mansur Brown elevated the festival to new heights with his slinky, trippy and groovy yet dexterous style. Songs like “Sweet,” “Serious,” “Back South” and more made sure that Brown made a definitive impact on both, first-time listeners and long-time fans.
India regular of sorts, DJ-producer Parra For Cuva’s set made for a bright, chill vibe, while Indian-origin artist Jitwam — with a gamcha around his neck — brought jumpy, frenetic funk. It set the stage for a genre-hopping set from Sid Sriram, who closed the festival with songs from his album Sidharth, even as the rain came back. Sriram, unfettered, told the stage managers as they were bringing on tents like they had for Tinariwen, “I don’t need that. I’m cool getting wet in the rain. Just get it to them [other band members] and we’re cool money.”
With Echoes of Earth also set for a Goa edition announced for February 2nd to 4th, it looks like the festival’s mission as a change-provoking music event is already taking different shapes beyond their well-trod Bengaluru roots.
