ARNAV SHETH
Sid Sriram, the voice of contemporary
fusion music in India
FESTIVAL REVIEW
Music Festivals in India are usually earmarked with profuse amounts of
intoxicants, music and hedonistic pursuit, are typically an individualistic –
almost inconsiderate activity that has little regard for anything adjacent to
the weekend it occupies. Least of all, festivals have never been known for their
commitment to the environment – neither the social environment and the people
who live in the venue's vicinity nor the physical environment – the natural
resources that surround the festival.
The food stalls offered a host of eateries
serving a range of cuisines and flavours.
There were healthy options as well,
which served as a break from the typical
pizza and French fries that festival goers
are so accustomed to.
Perhaps the performance of the evening
– Stavroz – brought their full-blown live
set to the Mandala Stage. The essence
of their magnificence was that all the
instrumentation was carried out live,
including the breakdowns that had high
levels of distortion and fuzz, gnawing at
the audience's urges to move around.
Picture Credit: Arnav Sheth
Grouch in Dub closing Day 1 on the
Anglerfish Stage
Walking between stages felt surreal –
surrounded by foliage and friends
Echoes of Earth was a departure from the
aforementioned insensitivity directed
at the environment yet held at its core
the entire festival experience. All parts
of the festival were produced incredibly,
however, what was more impressive
is that it was not invasive in any way.
Speaking of impressive, all artists were
put up at the Marriott Hebbal, the newest
Marriot property in Bangalore, which
explains why they all seemed to look
comfortable and energised on stage.
On Day 1, Azadi Records put together
one of their iconic showcases which
presented SIRI, Tienas and Seedhe
Maut, accompanied by the evergreen DJ
Uri. The Showcase verified that Azadi
Records are the torchbearers of hip-hop
in its truest form – empowering, honest
and ruthless.
36
The
Score Magazine
highonscore.com
SIRI and Tienas, mid-flow
On the Mandala stage, Sid Sriram
exemplified fusion in its contemporary
form. His multitude of vocal appendages
were complimented perfectly by
percussion, guitars and other sonic
vehicles that filled up spaces effortlessly,
nestling a warm, nurturing feeling through
the set.
Through the two days, the Anglerfish
Stage was packed to the brim with a
dedicated set of techno-enthusiasts.
Secluded in a slightly more forested
part of the venue, the Anglerfish Stage
created an atmosphere conducive to
the music it was hosting. Closed off and
cramped, the stage created an industrial-
like setting in the middle of a forest.
The Anglerfish stage, always packed to
the brim
Belgian psychedelic pioneers Stavroz
Closing Day 1 was Grouch in Dub, the
live act of Oscar Allison's solo project
Grouch – an aural experience unlike any
other. A combination of reggae-style
guitars, ambient strings and breakbeat-
esque grooves, the set was an incredible
coalescence of genres.
Day 2 opened with Apragamata, which
was a melange of unconventional
instruments which was the perfect way
to start the day.
He also played a set at the Big Tree,
a solar-powered stage situated in the
shadow of a mammoth-sized tree whose
roots were adorned with mattresses
and pillows.