The month of October looks like it will be an exciting time for music and live performance. Here’s The Sherp’s list of some of the best music festivals taking place this month.
1. Jodhpur RIFF
When: October 23 to 27
Where: Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur City, Rajasthan
Lineup attractions: Yossi Fine, Wouter Kellerman
Jodhpur RIFF has established itself as the biggest and most authentic platform for a balanced amalgamation of Rajasthani folk music and international rhythms from the crevices of the world. Now as the 9th edition of the festival commences, the blue city comes to life with a heady mix of rustic Rajasthani riffs and globally acclaimed names that promise an ethereal experience.This edition will feature many resident legends, each with their distinctive sound and genre, from classical Maand songs to the celebration of the rising sun with some soulful Baul tunes. But apart from these homegrown veterans, the festival will also play host to two Grammy winning musicians – Yossi Fine, bassist extraordinaire, frontman of the band Ex-Centric Sound System and Wouter Kellerman, the uber-talented flautest. There are other incredibly impressive names on the RIFF roster that you must check out here, along with their schedule that entails other activities. Speaking of other activities, some events from the festival schedule that seemed quite appealing to us include their Scottish Panorama, which is a musical amalgamation of Celtic and jazz musicians with, of course, Rajasthani undertones. Also the Desert Harmony, a session with the harmonica sensation, Antonio Serrano, a member of the late Paco de Lucia’s ensemble.
(Images Courtesy: Jodhpur Riff/Facebook)
2. Austin City Limits Music Festival
When: October 2-11 (over two weekends)
Where: Austin, Texas
Line-up attractions: Foo Fighters, The Strokes, Drake, The Weeknd, Disclosure, Deadmau5, Bassnectar, Alt-J, Hozier, Alabama Shakes, Of Monsters And Men, Tame Impala, The Decemberists, A$AP Rocky
Austin City Limits is southern USA’S biggest family-friendly music fest held smack dab in the middle of Austin. The festival, known for its great music, people and quintessential southern vibe, is playing host to around 130 artistes over two weekends. ACL is a great place to enjoy amazing local cuisine and take your family along for a weekend of summer chillin’.
(Image Credits: Austin City Limits/Facebook)
3. Amsterdam Dance Event
When: October 15 to 18
Where: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Line-up attractions: Coone, Nina Kraviz, Andy C, Ben UFO, Laidback Luke, Paul Oakenfold
The Amsterdam Dance Event is the biggest club festival in the world with 2200+ artistes, 300+ events, 85 venues, 350,000 visitors every year. For five days every October, the action in the city of Amsterdam revolves around this festival, with every club featuring different artistes every day. ADE also hosts one of the world’s most important dance music conferences that include panel discussions, interactive workshops, mentoring sessions, technical discussions and in-depth round table discussions on evolutions of the genre and technology that can further it. It truly is an educative experience.
4. Bacardi NH7 Weekenders (Shillong and Kolkata)
When: October 23 to 24 and October 31 to Nov 1
Where: Shillong in Meghalaya and Kolkata inWest Bengal, India
Colourful, diverse and with something for everybody, it’s no wonder why the Bacardi NH7 Weekender is one of the most popular fests in the country. After its inception in 2010, the festival has received immense appreciation for being the biggest platform for Indian independent music and artists, thus bringing together and cultivating a thriving indie culture in the country today. This year the travelling festival has added Shillong to its roadmap this year, something we can’t wait to experience!
Incase you still need another reason to come to Bacardi NH7 Weekender Shillong. http://go.nh7.in/1MRDgv8
Posted by Bacardi NH7 Weekender on Thursday, August 6, 2015
5. Treasure Island Music Festival
When: October 17-18
Where: San Francisco, California
Line-up attractions: The National, Chvrches, The War On Drugs, Father John Misty, Panda Bear, Jose Gonzalez, Deerhunter, Drive Like Jehu, Deadmau5
Scenic as scenic gets, Treasure Island Festival is the bay festival of this month. Held in California, the fest features a gorgeous mix of popular and upcoming artistes who will rotate between the stages, giving the attendees the chance to catch every act they want to. A definite plus for anyone interested in catching every band performing.
5. ELEVATE
When: October 22 to 26
Where: Graz, Austria
Line-up attractions: Low Jack, Demdike Stare, Heatsick, Suzanne Kraft and Prostitutes The Black Madonna
Held in a 10th-century fort in Graz, Elevate festival’s 10th edition will be nothing short of magical. This year the festival will feature electronic, indie and R&B as well as film screening events. Armed with the motto, ‘Music, arts and political discourse’, the festival concentrates on discussions, workshops and screenings aiming to engage people into conversations about the socio-political elements at play in Europe. Sounds like a boring-history-class-turned-fun, no?
(Images Courtesy: ELEVATE/Facebook)
6. Great American Techno Festival
When: October 8 to 11
Where: Denver, USA
Line-up attractions: Function, Patrick Russell, DJ Skurge, Headless Horseman, Carlos Souffront, Nihal Ramchandani
This would be the final year of this amazing and eye-opening festival that delves into the world of techno, like no other music event.
(Image Courtesy: Michelle Maciel Photography/Great American Techno/Facebook)
7. MUTEK.MX
When: October 21 – 25
Where: Mexico City, Mexico
Line-up attractions: DJ Koze, Tale Of Us, Ben UFO
A techno and experimental festival that puts Mexico on the map. Much like its mother festival, live performance and visuals are an integral part of performance.
(Images Courtesy: MUTEK.MX/Facebook)
8. Sunburn Daman Weekend
When: October 3 to 4
Where: Daman, India
Line-up attractions: Dannic, Wolfpack, Sick Individuals
Sunburn’s massive franchise will be extending to the beautiful shore of Daman this October, for a sick dance music marathon of two days. The lineup includes Sick Individuals,DANNIC, WolfPack, Anish Sood, B.R.E.E.D, Sound Avtar, Joshi and many more!
9. Harley Rock Riders
When: October 30 to 31
Where: Byculla, Mumbai
Line-up attractions: Blek, Down Troddence, The Ska Vengers, Abraxas, Superfuzz, The Lightyears Explode, Kraken, Skrat, Bayanak Maut, Coshish, Demonic Ressurection, Noiseware, Providence, Indus Creed, Bombay Basement, Scribecore.
Season six of India’s biggest rock music festival will return this October with a power-packed line-up, headlined by Megadeth and The Wailers. Harley-Davidson India and Only Much Louder are teaming up once again to bring you the gnarliest Indian rock event this October 30 and 31.
(Images Courtesy: Harley Rock Riders/Facebook)
10. Ekko Festival
When: October 28 to November 1
Where: Bergen, Norway
Line-up attractions:
At Ekko, electronic music is treatment as an experiment and is at the heart of Norway music scene. Known as a place where modern and experimental pop and electro has made a home, it is only obvious that a festival dedicated to this sort of music popped up. Carefully curated with a slew of local and international acts, EKKO really concentrates on exploring visuals that compliment the music. The festival also connects the community in Nordic and European countries.