Echoes of Earth, India’s pioneering green music festival, has done it again, transforming the Embassy Horse Riding School’s lush expanse into a vibrant hub of ecological harmony and global music. The 2023 edition saw a significant increase in attendees, reaffirming the event’s growing popularity while maintaining tighter security, ensuring a safe and inclusive environment for all. Tucked away in the woods, the festival aimed to preserve the wild and promote sustainability. Attendees could enjoy a jungle trail, mesmerizing lights, and captivating presentations. The festival harmoniously blended with nature, incorporating recycled art from previous years and enforcing a zero-tolerance policy towards plastic and drugs.
The Vibe This Year
The creative prowess of students from the Srishti Institute of Art, Design and Technology was displayed in the art installations spread across the venue. Mirroring the festival’s commitment to sustainability, each installation subtly educated attendees about the Western Ghats’ rich biodiversity through informative cards. The music roared from four main solar-powered stages – the Rhino Beetle Stage, Tusker Stage, Serpent Stage, and the Big Tree Stage. Each stage featured a compelling line-up of global artists that accentuated the festival’s multicultural ethos. From the immersive ‘Johnnie Walker Keep Walking’ to the lifelike ‘Nigiri Forest Lizard,’ ‘Grove of Magic Mushrooms,’ ‘Nilgiri Forest Lizard,’ and ‘Pangolin,’ the art installations mesmerized attendees with their details and unique message of preservation and appreciation of nature.
Day 1
Day one of the Echoes of the Earth festival was nothing short of an exhilarating rollercoaster ride of euphonic experiences. All four stages were alive with stellar performances, catering to every musical palate and reinforcing the festival’s motto ‘The Earth has music for those who listen.’ One of the day’s main highlights was the electrifying performance by Thaikkudam Bridge, a band that compelled everyone to dance. Creating an atmosphere of intoxicating enthusiasm, their performance set the tone for the evening. On the Big Tree Stage, Modern Biology, an electronic musician and former biologist, held the audience captivated with a unique performance, creating harmony out of mushrooms and the giant Banyan tree using his electronic setup. This peaceful and soul-soothing act stood out for its exceptional originality, offering attendees a one-of-a-kind musical experience.
Despite the drizzly weather, Aayna, an EDM artist from Calcutta, got everyone dancing with her vibrant beats. Simultaneously, over at the Tusker Stage, Sunflower Tape Machine delivered an array of nostalgic sounds, providing an engaging auditory experience.
Yung Raja, a rapper from Singapore, impressed the crowd with his energetic stage presence and solid cadence. His live performance was entertaining and pumped up the energy of the crowd. The evening took a delightful turn with the performance of Matsumoto Zoku Band, an alternative, organic music duo from Melbourne. The merging of urban vocal beats with the soothing melodies of the Hand Pan and Didgeridoo was a treat to the ears. Ending the day on a high note was Tinariwen, a collective of Tuareg musicians from the Sahara region of northern Mali, who are considered pioneers of desert blues. Their captivating performance, driven by traditional Tuareg and African music mashed with Western rock music, created a sonic tapestry that perfectly embodied the spirit of the Echoes of Earth festival.
Day 2
Day two of the Echoes of the Earth festival presented an eclectic mélange of music genres and performances. The day started with Carissa, who set the tone for the day with her intriguing mix of deep house music with a Bollywood touch. Her performance resonated with the audience, bringing them to their feet dancing and swaying to the beats. The day continued with an enchanting performance by artist Sahil Vasudeva at the Tusker Stage. Known for his soulful renditions, Sahil played some experimental melodies on the piano that created a calming atmosphere. His music, both ethereal and evocative, transported the audience into a different world.
The Rhino Beetle stage came alive with Mary Ann’s performance. Her music, a unique blend of R&B with soft pop vocals, created an energy in the crowd that was palpable. The baton was then passed to Nabihah Iqbal who took to the stage at 6 pm. Nabihah with her poetic and tender music, took everyone on a nostalgic journey. Her music touched the hearts of many as she sang with raw emotion and many literary references.
Kenta Hayashi of Matsumoto Zoku Band entertained the crowd with his unique dance music and remarkable single-string guitar skills at the Big Tree Stage. His music, tuned at a resonant 444hz, captivated the crowd and was a beautiful treat for the ears. As the evening proceeded, the Serpent stage was lit up with the energetic performance of EDM artist, Murthovic. His high-octane set was packed with sick beat drops that sent the crowd into a frenzy. Fun and immersive, his music created an electric atmosphere, making it one of the highlights of the evening.
The Tusker stage welcomed the UK-based producer and multi-instrumentalist Mansur Brown. His captivating performance was a fusion of the rhythmic snap of early ‘00s Timbaland and the swing of Afrobeats. The eerie yet beautiful feeling created by his guitar leads left a lasting impression on the audience.
German musician Parra For Cuva livened up the stage with his cool electronic music. His performance, brimming with sonic layers and a dazed atmosphere, took the evening to another level. The Rhino Beetle stage hosted its final act, a spectacular performance by French artist Mezerg. His unique show incorporated the mechanics of keyboards, the theremin, and effects pedals to create sonics that straddle between Jazz and modern nightclubs.
Lastly, the Tusker stage was graced by the return of Sid Sriram, whose performance was highly anticipated amongst festival-goers. Sriram, known for his innovative blend of Carnatic and modern music, brought a renewed energy to the stage. His lyrics, deep and poignant, resonated with the audience, invoking an array of emotions that complemented the ethereal night.
