Music in the Palace

When Delhi-based Munbir Chawla of online music blog Wild City and Mumbai-based Kunal Lodhia of design collective WeThePpl began talking about organising a music festival in the country a year ago,they were clear about one thing — that it would not just be a festival with bands and artistes,but an out-of-the-box experience for music aficionados. A chance visit to the majestic palace of village Alsisar in Rajasthan blew them away,and this is how the Magnetic Fields Music Festival came into existence.

To be held in the Alsisar palace from December 13-17,this fest is creating quite the buzz in the industry because of the exciting line-up of dubstep,house,electro-rock,nu-disco and reggae artistes. The list of artistes is a mixed bag and comprises popular names such as Shaa’ir + Func,Midival Punditz,and newer names such as Frame/Frame and Madboy/Mink. “We want to create a space for pioneers of electronic music,as well as the new artistes,” says Lodhia. Apart from indie scene regulars such as trip-hop act Sulk Station and gypsy/jazz/cabaret band Peter Cat Recording Co.,international electronic artistes such as Berlin-based Robot Koch,and local folk musician Kutle Khan,will also perform at the festival.

“The old-world charm of the palace and the contemporary sounds of electro music will create a vibe that will set this music festival apart,” says Lodhia. The organisers are also including local cuisine and music.

Lodhia promises a few secret parties that the festival goers can attend by solving clues. Apart from accommodation available at the heritage palace,there is also camping options available. The festival tickets,priced at Rs 4,000 for three days,however,have created a bit of discussion on the steep pricing. “This is a festival for 500 people,not more,and it’s like a bespoke music festival. The response in the last few weeks has been overwhelming,” says Lodhia.

The festival tickets are available at http://www.bookmyshow.com