Holi celebrations begin with Electronic Dance Music festival

Last year, the festival of colours was extra special for Chennai party goers as Holi Buzz rocked the nightlife scene and took the occasion to a whole new level. This year, the second edition is back — in a revamped avatar!

Presented by Vishal Shroff and Abishek Nichani of Buzz Republic, the two-day Electronic Dance Music (EDM) festival will play host to a variety of top-notch musicians and DJs from all over the country, with an emphasis on promoting parties of international standards. In fact, the duo is set to take the fest to launch its inaugural season in London in 2015.

“Beach parties are few in our city — and Holi seemed like the perfect excuse to throw the grandest of them all! We wanted this to be as popular as the Tomatina fest, and garner an identity for itself.

Not just DJs, live bands too will be performing across the insane 48 hours in store. A 2000 sq. ft. rain dance floor will be the highlight of the event! Some of the other highlights are a special VIP lounge with a separate bar and cabanas and organic Holi colours to daub,” explains Vishal.

Reshma Khan, one of the promoters, adds that the atmosphere will be lightened with an outdoor cook out and a scrumptious spread of pan-genre cuisines. “There will also be a flea market set up at the festival venue, displaying merchandise from various brands, handcrafted local items and a creative display to add to the festive atmosphere.

A camping zone is also available, as well as recreational activities, including a range of water sports activities and surf lessons from Puducherry experts!”

And then, there are the artists themselves: Kid Creme aka Nicolas Sacravili will be the showstopper indeed. At 19, he met Francis Shabard (DJ Murvin Jay) who introduced him to house music and together they secured DJ residencies at Club XXX, the first house club night in Brussels at the legendary Theatre of Vaudeville.

Even Kylie Minogue asked Kid to remix her single, ‘Love at First Sight’. DJ Vijay Chawla says it will be an honour to play alongside him. “I’ve grown up listening to his tracks when I started out and it’ll be an experience in itself to share the stage with him. I played at the first edition, and we expect a bigger crowd this time around for the colourful affair!”

Other prominent acts include Ankytrixx, the Electronica DJ and producer, who was the winner of the prestigious VH1 MyFav Awards for DJ of the Year. DJ Dominic, VJ Zombie, DJ Shiyam from Colombo, Reggae Rajahs, and many more are set to enthrall the audience.

Then, of course, we have Oozeundat, a duo determined to produce and deliver highly thought of, intensely crafted sets, focusing on destroying dance floors. “Expect to be a part of a musical journey, dwelling on the lines of deep, obscure and twisted techno.

Roan and I love Chennai, and thrive on the open appreciation of the crowd. Oozeundat is actually a combination of both our monikers!” Sidhant explains.

And we also have DJ Sameer Shroff who is a city favourite. “I started playing techno only for close friends and their private do’s — now this public event will give me an opportunity to showcase my talent on the big stage. The music is going to be dance floor-oriented, and guaranteed to have people hopping mad. Can’t wait for the party to start!” he signs off. Holibuzz 2014 will be held at Chariot Beach Resorts, Mahabalipuram, on March 8 and 9.