The leading Indian entity of all things underground has announced its return and how! Sounds Good Lifestyle and Music Festival was never your average general festival. It was an experience so surreal that was sure to ramp up the audio adrenaline of the ones attending. 2 days, 3 stages, more than 35 artists, a sound ecosystem that reverberated through the widest of echelons spanning across the entire venue, the list goes on. The line-up not constricted to a particular genre, there was something on the platter for every ear drum. Read on to recap what was unleashed across 48 hours of pure musical immersion.
The Main Stage
The mainstage witnessed the ever persistently prominent ‘Doty flicks’ on Day 1. They were churned out by none other than their treasured architect, Simon Doty. A pivotal torchbearer of afro-house music across the globe, Shimza made his way for his first tour in the country. The final act of Day 1 was culmination in the form of the first Indian Anjunadeep heavyweight Anyasa going B2B with the iconic Ankytrixx.
Day 1 was just an extended teaser for things in store for Day 2. From Jeremy Olander closing off with his exemplary unreleased ‘Love Flight’ to the haunting yet groovy basslines & synths of Patrice Baumel. The Afterlife sensation Kevin De Vries with an exclusive set this time in India laced mostly with the melodic techno chart toppers.
Vendetta Stage
The ‘hard, not for the faint-hearted’ enclosure. A stage that imbibed the theme of point of no return till the speakers actually stopped. Eli Acula & Fjaak on their Indian debut were on a mission to substantially add to their fanbase through their respective cracker of sets. Boston 168 and the Indian techno pioneer Arjun Vagale (back from a ‘digital detox’) setting the adrenaline rush on Day 2. Oguz’s set to close off Vendetta was probably the most epochal act of the entire festival. Simply stating, if razing a rave had a visible action, this was it.
Heineken 0.0 Stage
Synonymous to the festival were the number of acts touring the country the first time. Arapu & Priku with their signature house basslines and driving synths headlined the Heineken 0.0 stage on Day 1. Day 2 testified the prominent Anjunadeep star QRION brewing her signature hits coupled with others. The impactful and driving frequencies of Lauren Mia taking centre stage. The ascent of Kilimanjaro to close off was enough reason to cherish for Afro-centric percussive energy connoisseurs.
The Synopsis
The true yardstick of a festival creating an impact is the aftertaste it leaves the next sunrise. Curated stages, choiciest selection of an artist roster and a sound system (Funktion One) ensure to garner one. An experience that lingers, Sounds Good Festival might not have the grandeur of an Exit Festival or Time Warp, but can be India’s answer to equivalents in the coming years. One that can stand out and carve a niche of its own which not necessarily might be temporary. An experience to eagerly seek again right from the moment the existing edition concludes.