28 September,2011 09:45 AM IST | | Akshata Shetty
Join in the pre-party celebrations of the 'happiest music fest' this weekend, and re-live the festival through the screening of a special documentary
Three days of happiness, three days of music. The Bacardi NH7 Weekender (also titled the country's 'happiest music festival') is back and this time it's bigger. The festival is scheduled to take place in November and is already bustling with pre-event parties organised for music enthusiasts.
Raghu Dixit
After an announcement party in Mumbai, the festival team is here to share the celebration with Puneites. They will be screening a 55-minute documentary on the festival that features live performances from the bands that performed at the festival. It will also share the story of how the festival came about. Watch out for a live performance by Tough on Tobacco which features Sidd Coutto (vocals), Niranjan 'Pozy' Dhar (guitar), Gaurav Gupta (guitar / vocals), Johan Pais (bass) and Jai Row Kavi (drums / voice).
Tough on Tobacco
Last year, festival goers saw over 50 bands across eight stages and this time there will be more than 150 artistes across genres from Rock to Metal to Folk and Electronica. "The festival is part of a long-term vision of creating an event on par with international music festivals. What's important are the artists and the fans and we're going to focus on creating a memorable experience for them; everything else follows naturally. This year, we have 150 artists (across the pre-parties and the festival), 75 pre-parties, 6 stages, 17 acres and three days of music," said Vijay Nair, CEO Only Much Louder.
Imogen Heap
Festival vibe
The festival will feature the best music from India and across the world -- from underground artistes that should feature on your playlist to award-winning artistes you've been dying to see and hear live. Two such performers are Basement Jaxx (DJ set) and Grammy Award-winning singer /songwriter Imogen Heap, who will be the headlining artistes at the festival.
Equally excited as their fans about the festival, Imogen shares, "Yes! I'm very excited about coming back to India, and look forward to performing at the music festival. I'm also looking forward to playing the song that I'm writing with music director / singer Vishal Dadlani."
As for Felix Buxton of Basement Jaxx, he has heard a lot about India and is eager to explore the country. He says, "All my friends have travelled around India so I'm very excited to go there myself. I'll be playing Basement Jaxx music incorporating bass and House music. Hopefully during the tour, I will get to hear some Indian music and mash it up and play that at the festival as well."
Music fest trivia
Acts to watch out for:u00a0
>> Raghu Dixit / Swarathma
>>u00a0Imogen Heapu00a0
>> Goddess Gagged
>>u00a0East India Companyu00a0
>> Hipnotribe
>>u00a0Jalebee Cartel
>>u00a0B.R.E.E.D.u00a0
Festival dates:
On November 18 to November 20u00a0
ATu00a0 Laxmi Lawns, Magarpatta City.
Tickets for the music fest are already on sale and are available at www.nh7.in/weekender. The 3-day ticket is priced at Rs 2,000, the 2-day ticket for the weekend is Rs 1,500 and day passes are for Rs 750. Students get a discount and can purchase the 3-day ticket for Rs 999.
On October 1, 7.30 pm onwards
At Arc Asia, ABC Farms, Koregaon Park.
