By Editors
Live performances in the desert, acoustic sets in the hills, or epileptic attack inducing DJs in the dusty fields of Budh Circuit, Noida, whatever your preference, pick or personality, you'll find a festival that fits. LBB presents the top 9 festivals to bookmark this winter season, because Tommorowland got too commercial. Sour grapes.
Kochi Biennale
All you art people, welcome to your haven. The Kochi Biennale is on till mid-March and is an international exhibition of contemporary art. The exhibition is set in spaces around Kochi, Muziris and surrounding islands, and shows, held in existing galleries, halls and site-specific installations in heritage buildings, public spaces and around structures that have seen better days. You can expect a crazy line-up of Indian and international artists, exhibiting artwork across a variety of mediums including film, installation, painting, sculpture, new media and performance art.
When: Until 29th March, 2015
Where: Kunnumupuram, Fort Kochi, Kochi, Kerala
For all the information, click here.
Chasing Storm Festival
Finally, a festival for New Year's Eve. This year, the new year edition will happen on Coorg {automatically winning}, and features an eclectic mix of musicians, including Usha Uthup, Swarathama, DJ Nasha, Modium, Sanjay Dutta, Solder, Lagori, Same, all while you sit around bonfires, late night barbecues, just before you retire to your tents for the night.
When: 31st December and 1st January
Where: Virjapet, Coorg
Get the full line-up, and all other important deets here.
Supersonic
Everyone knows the electronic music scandal of the year - Nikhil Chinapa parted ways with Percept, and made his own festival, now Supersonic. Four days, over 50,000 people, and a lot of jumping, Supersonic is definitely for the more hectic, active music experience. We seriously suggest buying tickets in advance if you're planning on going, carry lots of water, and hook up some sort of lost and found system with your friends, since cellphones more often than not give up on the premises. That said, if you're under the correct spell, Supersonic can be an incredible experience, given the visuals, fireworks and production elements, especially if you catch some of the more popular DJs. They're also doing standalone club nights in Delhi as a pre-cursor, in case you're interested.
When: 27th-30th December
Where: Candolim Bardez, Goa
Get the full line-up, and all important deets {including the Delhi nights}, here.
Sunburn
3 days, a different venue, and a different line-up, but probably the exact experience as Supersonic, you just have to choose which DJs you'd rather see. You've probably heard of Sunburn Arena {the guys who brought us Swedish House Mafia}, and all their massive multi-city nights. Now imagine those, in Goa, with a lot more people and bad cellphone network.
When: 27th, 28th and 29th December
Where: Goa
Get the full line-up, and all important deets {including Sunburn Arena nights}, here.
David Guetta
If you're bullet proof and got nothing to lose, this night might just be right up your alley. Jokes and lyrics aside, OML brings David Guetta to town for one night, so probably not a festival, but definitely worthy of a visit.
When: 19th December
Where: TBA
Tickets have gone on sale, buy yours here.
Enchanted Valley Carnival
If the welcome music on their website is anything to go by, you can be sure of a banger of many nights. So here's the best news about EVC, it's not just for electronic fanatics, and they actually have an eclectic line-up featuring House, Techno, Trance Drum & Bass, Pop, Fusion, Folk, Dubstep, and experimental music. 3 days, 4 stages, camping, and a host of adventure activities including water sports {speed boats, jet skis, rock climbing, ATVs, rappelling, zip lining}, even if you're not a music fan, there's so much to do, the festival will just serve as an excellent background score. PS: It's set up on an air strip, and there's something so renegade about that, it makes the experience winning. If you missed Guetta in Delhi, he's headlining at EVC.
When: 20th & 21st December
Where: Ambay Valley City {2 hours outside of Mumbai city}
Get the full line-up and all important deets, here.
Ragasthan
We hear Ragasthan wins by virtue of taking place in the middle of sand dunes. Starry nights, perfect weather, and tents in the middle of the dunes with no other people for miles does wonders to add to a festival experience. Besides an eclectic music line-up, they also do open air film screenings {mattresses, short films and popcorn under the stars}, and best news yet - Hot Air balloon Rides, right after paint balling, zorbing, kite-flying, paramotoring, and RC cars! More of a space for all kinds of artists, definitely check out Galiyaro: The Gallery, an interactive, do-it yourself gallery, where artists come together to create, reveal and express their creativity. You have three months to decide whether three days in the dunes with all kinds of artist communities sounds attractive to you.
When: 13-16th February
Where: Khuri Dunes, Jaisalmer
Get all the info, full line-up and other important details, here.
India Bike Week
This is everything big stories of testosterone are made of, and we're proud to say now estrogen also have leading roles. India's largest festival of bikes and bikers, India Bike Week 2015 brings together bikes, bikers and music into their festival grounds, for two days of tracks, stunt zones, talks, discussions, cage fighters, drag meets and everything else out of a Biker's fantasy handbook. With 7,500 people in their first 2014 edition, you can expect larger numbers this year.
When: 20th and 21st February
Where: Vagator, Goa
Get all the info, so you're on the right track, here.
