Where do you go when you’re tired of tapping your feet to a slow rhythm under your work desk? Where do you scream your head off while your hair falls in disarray and drum beats rage through your skull? There’s a very simple answer – you head over to one of the music festivals that India is home to. Whether they are over 40-years-old or 3-years-old, there’s genres of music merging together to form one big umbrella of sights and sounds that take place in almost every season of the year. We’d love to tell you all about all of them but since we can’t, we’re picking our absolute favourites.

1. Mahindra Blues Festival: Mehboob Studios, Mumbai

Image Source: mahindrablues.com

Who ever said there was a lack of quality music in the country, was definitely lying. And if someone ever followed that up by saying that the blues were a lost art, they didn’t know about the Mahindra Blues Festival in Mumbai. It may sound like a hoity-toity festival, but over the years it’s gained enough momentum to be a great musical hit, allowing throngs to flock to the third edition this year. From hosting music legends as Jimmie Vaughan to popular stars like Buddy Guy, everything that’s funk, blues, soul and even a little jazz and rock, is all right there.

When: 15 February 2021

2. The Enchanted Valley Carnival: Aamby Valley City, Mumbai

Held at a popular party spot, Aamby Valley in Lonavala, the local Enchanted Valley Carnival has a strong focus on the best artists from across the country as well as some great foreign imports. There’s a plethora of live performances that will get your adrenaline pumping, through two days. Getting a weekend pass is the best idea, since you can camp out while you listen to artists, such as Alien Chutney, Anish Sood, Boom Baba and Aruna.

When: 20-21 December 2014

3. The Great Indian October Fest: E-Zone Club, Bangalore

Image Source: Flickr @freakyyash

If EDM and dance aren’t your cup of tea, then there’s always progressive metal. We’re talking about the Great Indian October Fest, which takes place every year in Bangalore, and will thrill you with several Indian rock bands along with Soul & Reggae. The event is sponsored by Kingfisher Premium, which means one very exciting thing – lots of beer! The three-day fest also has shopping, food and drink.

When: October 2015

4. Sunburn: Vagator Beach, Goa

Welcome to a Goan beach (Vagator this year); lights flashing, music bleating and strobes thrown carelessly near the waves. There’s the heavy sound of EDM, wherever you turn and DJs are lighting up makeshift stages. Who cares about the sand in your toes? Sunburn is back – entertainment, media and communications company Percept’s 3-day contribution to a pretty rocking festival, right along the sea shore. This year there’s Dmitri Vegas, Live Mike, Sasha and New World Sound.

When: 27 to 29 December 2020

5. Escape Festival of Art & Music: The Himalayas

Did you read the location and do a double take? So did we, but since its inception in 2009, we’ve had a little time to get used to the Uttarakhand festival. Dancing in foothills of the Himalayas should be on your bucket list! From Indigo Children to Skinny Alley, you’re going to get your fill of some great artists, rocking musical performances, and you can also attend workshops to learn about different art forms.

When: Varies

6. NH7: Bangalore, Pune, Delhi, Shillong

NH7 has been built into the most organised, well put out festival in the country. You are bound to see popular Indian bands pop up there, every year – from Indian Ocean and The Raghu Dixit Project, to new entrants on the festival scene, the interesting (watch out for these guys) Spud in The Box, and many more. NH7 has not only opened avenues for Indian bands, it has also brought home some international greats, such as Norah Jones. This year they even got The Vaccines and Amit Trivedi. Also, the music extravaganza is supposed to expand its reach and will also be hosted in Shillong in Feb 2015 for the very first time.

When: November 2014, February 2015.

7. Mood Indigo: IIT Bombay, Mumbai

It might be a college festival, but it has brought down bands like Porcupine Tree, Karnivool and Simple Plan, and this year Sander Van Doorn. One of the oldest music festivals in the country, the event is actually a great map of how music, bands and the music industry has changed over 43 years. And don’t worry, they’ve got several nights (contemporary, livewire, EDM and even popular for Bollywood fans) so you can very well find the music, you’re most attuned to.

When: 26 to 29 December 2020

8. Summer Storm: Palace Grounds, Bangalore

Bangalore hosts a music festival that’s pretty much a haven for anyone, with a darker musical taste. Think Lamb of God, Opeth and Mosh Pits. It’s gotten milder, as pop and rock acts have taken over swashbuckling metal-heads, but you’ll never get to crowd surf in India, as easily as you will here, on a Summer Storm night.

When: May 2015

9. Ziro Festival: Ziro Valley, Itanagar

There’s scenic valley view because of its location near Itanagar, and not only will the festival give you a crazy insight into the culture and traditions of the people of this place, it will also give you a lot of really, really good music. It’s only about 2-years-old, but it’s made enough of an impact to be on this list. Artists you can expect here include Sky Rabbit, menwhopause, Whirling Kalapas and Lou Majaw.

When: September 2015

10. Indrasan Festival: Kullu Valley

Do you want to talk about sustainable living while giving back to nature – and getting your groove on? Enter Indrasan, a great way to end this list, since it’s really about doing good, while enriching your life with music and art at the same time! It’s hard to map this one, because you never know where it is, till you sign up. Artists you can expect to see here include James Monro, Younger Brother, Nativ, DJ Omka and Shidapu Roy.

When: Varies (August, 2014)

Nicole

A poet with a penchant for prose and the itch to travel, Nicole Reed is an assistant editor and features writer for a daily newspaper, struggling to find a way out of the concrete mess by dreaming of one day living and breathing off words in an idyllic country setting somewhere. Having been editor of her college magazine, written for a number of publications including Shamiana’s short film newsletter and as a current student of Literature from the University of London, Nicole sees writing like travel - an adventure – a journey to find her place, to define and redefine who she is over and over again and to live and learn through the process.

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