These 10 Festivals Need To Come To India ASAP!

Risa Desa

7 years ago

The world has seen some of the most epic festivals of all time. It’s time India witnesses the same.

From stellar world-class performers to innovative stage designs; fashionable festival outfits to wacky crowds; enthusiastic music lovers to tripped out hippies; the culture of music festivals has taken over the world and how!

With all the joy it bring, we only wish that they could bring these iconic festivals to India too. In hopes they answer our wishes; The Sherp lists out 10 music festivals we can’t wait to see come to India.

1. Coachella

The Motherload of all festivals! You can’t possible make a list of incredible festivals without including the one and only -Coachella, can you? Maybe it’s because of the versatile mix of only the best artists and musicians across genres and across the globe coming together for two epic weekends! Or maybe the fact that its middle-of-nowhere desert venue makes it the ultimate place to escape or ‘trip’ for music lovers! Or perhaps the fact that it draws an epic crowd of around half a million people every year! Not to mention, this crowd includes the rich and famous who make it a point to add it to their calendar! What about the amazingly creative Native Indian-themed outfits and costumes making it the perfect place for music loving fashionistas? We could go on and on…

Bottomline- Coachella needs to make it to India ASAP! Call me self-serving, but I think there couldn’t be a better place to host it than Mumbai, don’t you think?

2. Burning Man

Credits: http://weraveyou.com

Burn, baby, burn! Nevada is no stranger to parties. With Las Vegas’s ultimate alcohol infused party vibes; the desert comes to life throughout the year. But there’s more stories to tell…

Once every year, tens of thousands of people gather in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert to create their own little city. The city, known as the Black Rock City, becomes their own metropolitian land ruled by community art, self- reliance and self- expression. A week later, no trace of the city’s existence is found. Mysterious isn’t it?

How did this start? Well, in 1988 two men dragged a wooden figure to the beach while a curious crowd watched it burn. Rightly named, his event is known as Burning Man.

What’s better than a community of people who celebrate the beauty of art, its forms of self- expression in an epic celebration for the enjoyment of the participants? We’re anxiously awaiting an Indian edition!

3. Snowbombing Festival

Witness the ultimate Alphine music adventure as Snowbombing redefines winter games to create a perfect blend of music and winter sports. This winner of ‘Best Small Festival’ at European Awards features innovative mountain stages, enchanted forest parties, an award-winning snow park, infamous pool parties, chairlift speed dating, para gliding, cable car-aoke and snow limos! That’s not all! The Snowbombing Road Trip even includes some exciting pit stops like Dance offs and Road Raves. As you partake in the exhilarating winter sport activities; enjoy music from top musicians from around the world!

This one-of-a-kind festival will definitely be a first for India and we only but hope they hear our plea. Read more here. Where else than the gorgeous location of Kashmir and Manali to host this crafty blended winter sports musis fest.

4. Glastonbury Festival

Inspired by the Blues festival at the Bath & West Showground; the Glastonbury Festival started over 46 years ago, and was first held on the day Jimi Hendrix died. This iconic festival celebrates contemporary performing arts for five whole days! It even hosts dance, comedy, theatre, circus, cabaret, and other arts. Through the years, this festival has seen the like of Radiohead, Tony Bennett, Coldplay, Pet Shop Boys, Beyonce and David Bowie!

Emulating the ethos of hippee, counterculture and free festival movements, the festival still maintains its traditions with the Green Field Area- known as the Green Futures and Healing Fields. Perhaps, Bangalore could use a bit of a hippie vibe?

5. National Cannabis Festival

A festival sorely dedicated to weed. Need we say more? Come together to celebrate the importance of weed, learn more about it while listening to music and exploring a bunch of exhibitions. Not to forget, you’ll most definitely be going on an epic ‘trip’ too!

This festival gives the people in the Cannabis industry a platform to celebrate and discuss the perks, importance and developments of the product. Although we’ll need the government to legalize it first; we have ‘high’ hopes. Pardon the pun…

6. Mardi Gras

Not that it needs any introduction, Mardi Gras has seen some of the wackiest and craziest party scenes possible. To think that the whole reason the festival came about was due to a Catholic tradition seems quite strange, don’t you think?

Turns out, as a pre-ritual practice to the holy fasting period of Lent, Mardi Gras was born with a sole aim of enjoying one last night of indulging in rich, fatty foods before the Lenten season begins. If we had a say, we would bring Mardi Gras to every major city in the country!

7. Pride Festival

This is something the country definitely needs. Celebrating people of different sexualities including homosexual, heterosexual and transsexual, the Pride festival is a true celebration of the people. Be it theatre ,dance, talks, conferences or art, this festival gives members of the LGBT community a positive place to be themselves and celebrate their sexuality in the grandest way possible.

With the way our country is progressing, an LGBT-themed festival would be a breath of fresh air, don’t you think?

8. Bestival

A fashion-themed music festival? Yes please! UK’s award-winning and biggest summer festival, Bestival, has been bringing the party to the Isle of Wight for the past 13 years! Over these years, the festival has played host to some of the best musicians in the business including Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Kraftwerk, Outkast and The Cure! In addition to the high calibre of artists performing, the festival is a must visit for all music loving fashionistas out there.

Be it sexy outfits, wacky head gear, co-ordinated costumes, blingy tops or multi layered styles; Lady Gaga-like fashion lovers are everywhere! Not to forget, a special theme for each edition, allowing you to craft your outfits accordingly! We would love to see this festival in every part of the country; how about you?

9. Carnival Of Venice

If elaborate dressing is more your scene then you will love the Carnival Of Venice. The event features thousands of tourists and locals walking around in full costume and masks as they marvel and scan the beautiful scenic areas of the gorgeous town. The festival takes you on a historic trip as the stunning Venetian masks eying you from different corners, gives you a glimpse of what the Venetian world was like 300 years ago.

This one-of-its-kind festival is nothing but extraordinary thanks to the lavish and detailed outfits of all present. In Venetian lifestyle, putting on a mask meant you could engage in all sorts of things without getting caught! Thus, exuberating the transgression of the people. How awesome would it be to see these customs on our streets?

10. International Highline Meeting Festival

For all you adventure junkies out there; this event will put your mental and physical strength to the ultimate test. The festival is considered one of the most terrifying yet adrenaline pumping festival out there. It even features people spending pretty much the whole time strung up on tightropes stretched across the Italian Alps in Monte Piana! Now, that’s what we call guts! Known as ‘slackers’ due to the balancing technique, the rope moves from side to side unlike the usual tight rope. In addition to the sheer boldness associated with this festival, the event also includes a kitchen, a bar, and cool musical jam sessions. Not to forget, yoga workshop and para glider flights!

Adventure lovers in India, do you dare?