The music festival season has begun and one of its headlights, Bacardi NH7 Weekender, is back. With names such as AR Rahman, English star DJ and singer Mark Ronson and Scottish rockers Mogwai among the headliners, the festival’s big debut in Delhi (it was earlier held in Greater Noida) may just have a significant impact on the party circuit in the considerably “non party” side of the town. New Venue The intersection of 205 and 221 Delhi Road, Dwarka, Sector 10, sounds like an odd location for a music festival, but this is the new address for NH7 Weekender. The big ground will transform into a braise of hardcore electronics and artificially manufactured light effects, as the audience is likely to immerse itself in some of the finest from the music world. After three years of being staged at Buddh International Circuit on Noida Expressway, this year’s NH7 Weekender is surprisingly being held in Dwarka. The reason for this is being cited as distance and the improved single window licencing process. The Delhi government has allowed companies that are members of EEMA (Event and Entertainment Management Association) to do ticketed events in Delhi without paying entertainment tax several days in advance. “It’s a nightmare to operate in Noida and Gurgaon. Delhi used to be worse. If the environment we get here is better, festivals like Sunburn may also move,” says Vijay Nair, CEO, OML (Only Much Louder), the company that organises the festival. He adds, “With excise, entertainment and fire decisions in place, things are easier. Fire is now a regulation, as opposed to being a licence. They can do inspections, which is how it’s everywhere. We shifted the venue just a week ago and there has been tremendous cooperation from the police, with not a single penny moving here or there.” Putting up the show required substantial effort from Nair’s end. “We’ve transplanted 300 square feet of grass, which hasn’t really been done before,” says Nair. Made in India Amid toe-tapping delights from the more popular names to the experimental underground, the list of Indian artistes is a good mix of musicians from a variety of genres. With two Grammy winners — AR Rahman and L Subramaniam — leading the Indian line-up, the festival is likely to provide some brilliant airwaves. While Rahman’s headlining set on the first day seems to be the biggest draw, Vishal Dadlani, in an unusual sounding set on paper, will pay tribute to Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. Considering Dadlani’s brand of music that balances two extremes — rock and mainstream Bollywood — it will be interesting to see what he puts out. While festival favourites and regulars Soulmate will belt out blues from their arsenal, festival first-timers Begum, which features members from Peter Cat Recording Co, will bring psychedelic rock to the fore. Maati Baani will blend classical with folk, Mozilla techie Rehan Dalal will punk up intricately crafted pop melodies and Neeraj Arya’s Kabir Cafe will present Kabir’s dohas in a new light. Many musical touchstones here. The list is compelling. Hoping the music matches. Flying In That the Scottish post-rock band Mogwai will perform at the Delhi edition of NH7 Weekender is reason enough to head to the festival this year, and news of the English DJ-singer Mark Ronson gracing the festival had us dancing to Uptown funk once again. In fact, the international artists’ roster this year has quite a few favourites. Los Angeles-based rapper, producer and DJ Flying Lotus will perform at the Breezer Beat Camp stage on Sunday night; Mexican acoustic guitar duo Gabriela y Rodrigo, who contributed to the soundtracks of mega hits Puss in Boots and Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, also play to the audience on Sunday at The Dewarist’s stage. Pakistani band Noori, which revolutionised pop music in their country, is a part of the Saturday line-up. Scottish electronic-dub-jazz act Hidden Orchestra, Toronto-based singer-songwriter Rehan Dalal, London-based pop duo Thumpers, and a DJ set by Aaron Jerome aka SBTRKT, among others, will also take over various stages over the weekend. Break Time A music festival is never just about music. So this time too, the festival will offer an array of activities — from bottle racing to breezer pong, human foosball, old-school jamming with buddies and posing with your bunch at a photo booth . There’s also a food bazaar, called Swiggy Food Bazaar, which will offer a host of quick bites such as ham and cheese crepes, waffles and pork ribs. If shopping is on your to-do list, drop by at Engrave-The Maker’s Market for accessories, clothes and gadgets.
