Rock music festivals can be a whole lot of fun. Whether you are on the performing end – live on stage in front of thousands of audience members – or are on the attendee end – watching a variety of energetic bands performing live back-to-back – the experience is bound to be memorable.
Below is a guide to the major rock music festivals that take place in India – whether you are a rock fan, a band seeking a place to showcase your talent, or someone just looking for a fun event to attend.
Independence Rock Festival (Mumbai)
Launched in 1986, the Independence Rock Festival, also known as I-Rock, takes place at the Chitrakoot Grounds. The festival spans the course of two days and takes place near the Indian Independence Day in mid-August. The festival attracts many attendees, and in 2010, I-Rock even made it to MTV Iggy’s list of Top 10 Music Festivals Around the World to Check Out list. Contestants are selected from city-level competitions held all over India – the short-listed contestants compete on the first day of the festival and win prize money as well as music gear. On the second day of the festival, various non-competing bands perform. Most major Indian bands have performed at I-Rock at some point, including Parikrama, Zero, Pentagram, Parikrama, Motherjane, Demonic Resurrection, Pin Drop Violence, Indus Creed, Agnee, Brahma, Bhayanak Maut, Scribe, Axetortion and Gary Lawyer.
Great Indian Rock (locations vary)
Launched in 1995 by Rock Street Journal, the Great Indian Rock festival has featured acts by many well-known bands including Meshuggah, Tesseract, Enslaved, Kryptos, Demonic Resurrection, Digital Suicide, Bhayanak Maut, Indian Ocean, Orange Street and Parikrama. The festival usually occurs in winter. Great Indian Rock has been held in various major cities all over India including Kolkata, New Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai.
June Rock Out (Chennai)
Held by the Unwind Center, June Rock Out, also known as JRO, was launched in 1999. JRO is a monthlong festival which features 16 bands from major metropolitan areas all over India. Bands which have performed in the past include Moksha, Motherjane and well-known Sufi rock Pakistani band Junoon. The festival usually takes place in November and December. The Unwind Center also organizes an event called Live 101 every Friday, which serves as a platform for musicians and bands to perform original compositions.
Rock Ethos (Bangalore)
Launched in 2008, Rock Ethos is an annual rock music festival which aims to promote anti-piracy. The festival’s mission also revolves around encouraging bands to present original songs instead of cover versions. Indian rock bands are allocated 45 minutes to perform their original compositions at the festival. In an attempt to recreate an international rock festival experience, Rock Ethos offers a carnival atmosphere with bungee jumping, paintball contests, and food and refreshment zones serving as added attractions. The festival usually takes place in February or March. Bands which have performed at Rock Ethos in the past include Motherjane, Inviktus, Bhoomi, Kryptos, Illuminati, Spitfire, Slain, Whitenoiz, Innter Sanctum, and Extinct Reflections.
Rock ’n India (Bangalore & New Delhi)
Launched in 2008, Rock ’n India has featured sets by both Indian and Western bands including Megadeth, Iron Maiden, Backstreet Boys, Pentagram, Parikrama, Swarathma, Indigo Children, Prime Circle, Slain, Kryptos, Motherjane and Richard Marx. This rock carnival lasts two days. Additional highlights at Rock ’n India include an extreme sports zone, a gaming zone, a Force India F1 exhibition stall and a tattoo bar. The festival tends to occur in February or March.
The Great Indian October Fest (Bangalore)
A relatively recent music festival (launched in 2009), The Great Indian October Fest, also known as TGIOF, has had acts by various Indian and international bands, including Italian gothic metal band Lacuna Coil. The festival also offers many other attractions including food, shopping, games, and art and beer zones. As the name suggests, this festival occurs in October.
Last year featured the launch of several new rock festivals in India including War of Bands (Chennai), Summer Storm Festival (Bangalore) and The Big Mushroom Cloud Festival (Bangalore). The Summer Storm Festival got a really positive response as fans were delighted that American band Lamb of God was performing. Likewise, The Big Mushroom Cloud Festival garnered appreciation for highlighting psychedelic music – the festival organizers actually encouraged attendees to actually bring pillows and blankets and to dress up in colorful attire to build upon a cheerful atmosphere.