29th Mahindra Independence Rock Festival Concludes on a High Note in Mumbai

Entertainment | November 7, 2023 | News

Mahindra Independence Rock Festival

More than 3,500 people from Mumbai attended the 29th edition of the Mahindra Independence Rock (Mahindra I-Rock) festival on the 4th and 5th of November, 2023. This event was organized by Farhad Wadia, who returned to the festival after a nearly decade-long absence.

The Mahindra I-Rock made a remarkable comeback in its 28th edition last year after a nine-year hiatus. The festival featured 14 rock acts that spanned two days, showcasing the enduring popularity of the genre.

One of the standout moments of the festival was when the legendary band Parikrama, alongside Farhad Wadia, performed together. Another highlight was the return of Bhayanak Maut, another I-Rock alumni, who delivered a sensational performance with Uday Benegal of Indus Creed, accompanied by special guests like Suraj Jagan, Vernon Ibrahim, Girish Pradhan, and an 11-year-old prodigy, Megan Rakesh.Parikrama also unveiled their new single, "Demons of Time," during their performance, and revealed the artwork of their first-ever live-recorded vinyl from Mahindra I-Rock 2022.

Farhad Wadia, Founder of Independence Rock, said, “When we started I-Rock back in 1986, we had not imagined that it would grow into a massive movement significantly shaping India’s rock scene. But it has, and how! And especially this year, more than any other. The festival has remained true to its roots while also evolving to stay relevant to the country’s tastes by bringing a sound that is fresh yet steeped very much in the cultures and subcultures of various Indian regions. I was nostalgic to be back and be a part of its 29th year of rocking the bay! I am happy that this is yet another successful chapter in the history of Mahindra I-Rock, and can’t wait for an encore!”

The festival continued its tradition of promoting new talent by opening with the winners of the online band hunt, Nemophilis. This year also saw the debut of bands like Pineapple Express, Girish & the Chronicles, and Underside from Kathmandu.

The festival's unique blend of rock subgenres, from 80s hard rock to traditional Indian sounds, created a common thread that transcended generations. Mahindra I-Rock is known for its multilingual approach, with lyrics in five different languages, including English, Hindi, Kannada, Sanskrit, and Malayalam.

In addition to the music, the festival featured special performances by The Beatz Crew and the Nanhi Kali Chorale Ensemble, as part of the "Schools of Rock Ft. The Beatz Crew x Nanhi Kali Project." The latter included underprivileged girls from the Nanhi Kali Project, empowering them through education.

Jay Shah, Vice President - Cultural Outreach, Mahindra Group, mentioned, “We are delighted that the Mahindra Season of Festivals 23-24 commenced with the thundering Mahindra Independence Rock! The festival wholly represents Mahindra’s commitment to not only support relevant and meaningful art that connects with Indians but also encourage new and young talent. We are glad that this edition of Mahindra I-Rock has carved a deeper space in our dynamic music scene and continues to nurture a love for the genre amongst a new generation of audiences.”

VG Jairam - Founder of Hyperlink Brand Solutions, added, “Stories, art and culture have the power of creating spaces where we discover that despite being strangers, we are not alone. And Hyperlink has always endeavoured to build and bring immersive experiences that help audiences connect to such stories and art that not only resonate with them but also bring them a sense of identity and belonging. Mahindra I-Rock is one such story that has connected numerous people in celebration of a single genre. Standing testament to this is 3500 plus attendees who have flocked to the venue across the festival. I am glad of this edition’s success and look forward to many more such successful editions in future.”

Mumbai came alive with the sounds of rock and metal on November 4 and 5, 2023, as the Mahindra Independence Rock festival returned to Bayview Lawns.

Subscribe to Newsletter

   

0

Twitter Feed

Facebook Connect

Recent Headlines

Resources

View All

Artists

View All

Agencies

View All