Across the country, the next few months brings the return of intimate and grandiose music experiences alike
Kerala act Oorali at Ziro Festival of Music in Arunachal Pradesh in 2018. Photo: Shiv Ahuja
When: September 23rd & 24th
Where: Konsang Lampak, Imphal
With Manipuri folk hero Akhu Chingangbam among the founders and organizers, this two-day music festival focuses on art and music related to the environment and has been running since 2014. This edition marks their return after 2019 post the pandemic, with artists such as Arunachal singer-songwriter Takar Nabam, New Delhi-bred artist Ditty, Shillong folk-experimental act Da Minot, rock trio Street Stories and Imphal’s own shoegaze rockers Lo! Peninsula, among others.
Get tickets here.
When: September 24th & 25th
Where: Tashi Bagh, Stok, Leh-Ladakh
This music festival season is not without new entrants and the Outback Festival is among them. Taking place at 11,500 ft above sea love, the two-day event touts itself as the “World’s Highest Motorable Adventure & Music Festival” taking place in Leh-Ladakh. The sound reverberating through the valleys and mountains will emanate from rock/metal’s faithful – Parikrama, Girish and The Chronicles – singer-songwriters such as Raghav Meattle and Salman Elahi, and Delhi Sultanate bringing out the BFR Soundsystem, among others.
Get tickets here.
When: September 29th to October 2nd
Where: Ziro, Arunachal Pradesh
Among the longest-running music festivals in Arunachal at this point, Ziro Festival of Music keeps its date with lovers of all things outdoors and music this year. Returning after 2019 as well, there isn’t necessarily a big-ticket international headliner; instead of Ziro has opted for homegrown stars of a different variety, putting Baba Sehgal and Rabbi Shergill on the bill, alongside the likes of Afghan Duo, Motherjane, Easy Wanderlings, Abdon Mech, Shantanu Pandit, Bipul Chettri and more.
Get tickets here.
When: October 6th to 10th
Where: Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur
Maintaining the balance between solemn, contemplative performances and the high-energy signature RIFF Rustle to close the festival, Jodhpur RIFF will host everyone from folk powerhouses such as Meghwals of Marwar, Lakha Khan and Sumitra Devi, Khasi folk artist Mebanlamphang Lyngdoh, and international artists such as Riff Cohen and Yurdal Tokcan, alongside Bawari Basanti, Harpreet Singh, Bombay Brass, Warsi Brothers and several more.
Get tickets here.
When: October 15th & 16th
Where: Rohini Lake and Garden, Darjeeling
The fourth edition of Pine Tree Music Festival will bring together rock and metal acts alike in Kurseong and Darjeeling. On the lineup this time are headliners such as Nepal’s rock favorites Albatross, heavy metallers Girish and the Chronicles, plus Kolkata-bred funk/rock band Gingerfeet, tech-death metallers Obliterating Vortex, Nagaland act Trance Effect and Sikkim act SalaKhala, among others.
Get tickets here.
When: November 9th to 13th
Where: Kerala Arts and Crafts Village, Thiruvananthapuram
For the first edition of a new international music festival that’s associated with Kerala’s Lazie Indie magazine (started by rock band Lazie J’s Jay Pillai and Manoj Pillai), Thiruvananthapuram will host artists like Brazil-origin Sami Chohfi, Malaysia’s Lyia Meta, Singapore metal act Rudra and more. Repping India are the likes of Agam, When Chai Met Toast, Oorali, Job Kurian and organizers Lazie J themselves.
When: November 18th to 20th
Where: Guleria Ghat, Shivala Ghat and other venues, Varanasi
Among the few music festivals that got a headstart and resumed in 2021, it’s business as usual for Mahindra Kabira Festival in Varanasi this year. From morning performances on the banks of the Ganga to amphitheater-style fusion rock performances and storytelling sessions, the festival will host vocalist Aruna Sairam, folk-fusion act The Raghu Dixit Project, Pandit Vikash Maharaj, The Tapi Project and more.
Get tickets here.
When: November 27th
Where: TBA, Guwahati
The latest music festival on the block is coming up as a day-long affair in Guwahati. Indian Open Air is founded by promoters such as Rocka Rolla from Assam, Kolkata’s E365 and Guwahati venue Urban Mantra. They carry a legacy that boasts international artists like Karnivool, As I Lay Dying and more, so we might just expect something heavy.
When: December 16th to 18th
Where: Sanctity Ferme, Krishnagiri
Among the more escapist experiences – and we mean that in a good way – in Karnataka, Bloom in Green Festival often gathers indie and psybient artists alongside adventure activities and eco-conscious workshops and sessions. This time around, they’re setting up in the appropriately verdant town of Krishnagiri, not too far for Bangaloreans.
Get tickets here.
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