Earth Songs: India\'s greenest music fest is here

Forty music acts from around the world come to Bengaluru this weekend, as part of the two-day Echoes of Earth Festival. But what's entertainment anymore without sustainability, especially in Bengaluru, where the erosion of natural resources is evident for all to see? Echoes of Earth, therefore, focusses on both - good music and sustainable living. "We wanted the festival and its platform to stand for something more," says Festival Director Rodhan Netalkar. "In Bengaluru we are exposed to the rapid erosion of natural resources.
This thought became the driving force behind the event and that's how it got its name, too - Echoes of Earth."

Since they began in 2016, Echoes of Earth has become a pioneer of sorts for festivals seound the world, and Netalkar says they have been invited to different parts of the country and the world to host the event. There are performances, workshops, themed stages and lots more. The theme this year is The Sanctuary, through which they celebrate the “endangered species of flora and fauna, through urban wildlife workshops, campus modules with film screenings, green hackathons, panel discussions and more,” says Netalkar. It’s also worked into stage design, art installations, and thematics. The venue is a strict no plastic zone, using only bio-degradable cutlery and has free water stations (RO filters) and the ‘Big Tree Stage’ is powered by using solar power.

A varied lineup of artists will perform this year, including Squarepusher, for the first time in India, with an immersive audio-visual experience. Tom Jenkinson is a self taught 'tech wizard', who brings music together with his cinematic vision. Acid Pauli will give his debut performance of German, ethno-centric electronic music.

Fakear tells intricately-woven stories about love and cultures from across the globe through his upbeat music. Shigeto live ensemble, the Michigan based artist adds life to his beats, with a unique mix of instrumental hip-hop and electronic music. There’s New York based DJ and producer Natasha Diggs’ blend of pop and rock and an old-school approach towards electronic music with modern elements. American-born Filipina singer, June Marieezy’s music reflects stories of culture, divinity, love and spiritualism with ambient vocals and soulful melodies will also be on stage. There’s also Suryakant Sawhney, Lifafa, to take you back to 80s Bollywood with a modern twist and Prabhdeep, doing his Indian hip

hop. Echoes of Earth is a pet-friendly music festival with a special Pet Zone that offers various fun activities, hydrating stations, free food, poop-bag dispensers and goodies for your pets.

In collaboration with National Geographic Wild, the festival will also feature a Nat Geo Wild Zone with live face painting of your favourite animal, educational activities for children and adults, and installations highlighting plastic pollution.

What: Echoes of Earth
When: December 7 & 8 2019 at 3:00 PM onwards
Where: Embassy International Riding School,  Next to Stone Hill International School, Tarunhunse Village