With the onset of winter comes an array of themed music festivals all over the world. Starting off with a few Indian gems, this November is going to be off the hook!
Here’s The Sherp’s definitive list of festivals that will tear up this season
1. Bacardi Nh7 Weekenders
When: All through November
Where: Kolkata (Nov 1-2), Bengaluru (Nov 8-9), Pune (Nov 21-23) and Delhi (Nov 29-30), India
Line-up attractions: The Vaccines, As Animals, Peking Duk, Mutemath, Nucleya, Ankur & The Ghalat Family, F16s, Pangea, Luke Sital Singh
Colourful, diverse and with something for everybody, it’s no wonder why the Bacardi NH7 Weekender is one of the most popular fests in India. 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.
2. Voodoo Music Experience
When: October 31 to November 2
Where: New Orleans, USA
Line-up attractions: Arctic Monkeys, Foo Fighters, Thirty Seconds To Mars, Slayer, Action Bronson
One of the most enjoyable Halloween Music festivals out there. Voodoo Music Experience is a massive New Orleans event featuring every favourite (currently) touring band and DJ in the country.
3. Jazzfest Berlin
When: October 30 to November 2
Where: Berlin, Germany
Line-up attractions:
The Berlin Jazz Festival is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, looking ahead and (at the same time) back on more than 100 years of jazz history. Founded in 1964, the festival is one of the longest running European festivals of international renown.
4. The New Wave Musicfest : Fresh Asian Indie & Punk
When: November 15-16
Where: Verna, Goa, India
Line-up attractions: Shonen Knife, Peter Cat & Recording, Kyoto Protocol, F16s, Ganesh Talkies, Your chin
This November, Goa will find itself amidst some of the best Asian independent music, as the aptly titled ‘New Wave’ Music Fest brings a fresh new wave of artistes to the more electronic – music inclined part of India. This debut event will be held at a scenic location situated at the top of a mini hill.
5. Stereosonic
When: All through November
Where: Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide, Melbourne & Perth, Australia
Line-up attractions: Porter Robinson, Startek, Carl Cox, Ferry Corsten, Laidback Luke, Peking Duk
As the largest festival in the southern hemisphere, Stereosonic took it a step further this year by revealing a massive roster for their 5 city mega event. Calvin Harris, Tiesto, and Skrillex are among the huge names at the top of this year’s bill. The 5 cities (including Sydney) will be treated to sets and performances from the likes of Carl Cox, Ferry Corsten, Laidback Luke, Cosmic Gate, homegrown heroes Peking Duk, Porter Robinson, Nina Las Vegas and many, many more.
6. Iceland Airwaves
When: November 5 to 9
Where: Reykjavik , Iceland
Line-up attractions: The Flaming Lips, The War On Drugs,
Reykjavík hosts the biggest party in the northern hemisphere every November during the critically acclaimed music festival namely Iceland Airwaves. Acts like Florence & The Machine, Keane, Hot Chip and The Flaming Lips have performed at the festival alongside the créme de la créme of the Icelandic music scene. Rolling Stone Magazine once called it, ‘The Hippest long weekend on the annual music festival calendar.’
7. It’s The Ship
When: November 21 to 25
Where: Singapore
Line-up attractions: The Bloody Beetroots, Anish Sood, Chvrches, Dash Berlin, Tropkillaz,
We can’t wait and see how this awesome debut EDM cruise festival will turn out. Sailing out of Singapore and beyond, you are guaranteed four nights of music madness at sea!
For those of you who are in Singapore this November, do not miss out on this one!
8. Hard Day Of The Dead
When: Novermber 1 to 2
Where: Los Angeles, USA
Line-up attractions: Bassnectar, Calvin Harris, Deadmau5, Diplo, Knife Party, Jamie Jones
Armed with a beastly line-up this Halloween weekend, Hard Day Of The Dead will either turn your brains to mush (in the good way) or leave you high and dry for more! Rest assured, this is a non-apologetic bass festival, you shouldn’t miss if you’re a fan. Bring your baddest bass face to the party!
9. Ground Zero
When: November 6 to December 4
Where: Lille, France
Line-up attractions: La Roux, Sarh, Strand High Patrol, Karin Park
If you happen to be in France this November there is quite a lot to discover in terms of live music. Ground Zero held in Lille is what we’d call France’s best kept secret. Ground Zero takes place at all the best music venues featuring an array of rock, electronic and alternative music. Ground Zero is essentially two and a half weeks of eclectic music all over Lille.
10. I love Techno
When: November 8 to 9
Where: Ghent, Belgium
Line-up attractions: Brodinski, Boys Noize, Clean Bandit, Duke Dumont, Jamie Jones
Belgium hosts Europe’s biggest and most authentic techno festival aptly termed I Love Techno. The Indoor weekender often attracts around 40,000 fans from every nook and corner of the world. every year.
I Love Techno could very well be called the holy grail of all things techno, almost like a massive Techno party right before the new year.
(Cover picture courtesy : Rukes)