For the very first time ever, Sunburn, the electro dance music festival that has been creating a rage in Goa every December from 2007, finally decided to come to the capital. Well, the NCR actually. Despite the fact that parking was nothing less than a desert safari where you will definitely ruin your shoes, the security was nominal, and the traffic was ill managed during exiting, Sunburn Noida far exceeded expectations. Unless your expectations included a Goa-like carnival in the midst of Noida.
There was a promising lineup of artists, including Bobby Burns, German DJ Moguai, Prok and Fitch, our very own DJ Shaan and obviously, world’s number seven, Afrojack, and two stages showcased artists simultaneously.
Sunburn in Noida was a huge test, whether North India can sustain a music festival sort of culture, and that it’s not just Goa and Bangalore who get to be the lucky ones every time, especially after, ahem, The Metallica Incident, was a question on everyone’s mind. And we did, we proved them wrong. The whole of Delhi turned up, around ten thousand of them, and the mood was generally amiable and fun. The best part was, there was a genuine excitement in the air, and people actually behaved themselves quite well. Not once did the crowd disappoint the artists; there was cheering, grooving and dancing continuously. Whacky sunglasses, wigs and masks were shown off proudly, and I’m pleased to report that I officially had the coolest glowstick in the festival.
The stage was set up spectacularly, and had the necessary Sunburn feel to it. If your friends were willing and sweet enough, you could sit on their shoulders and rise way above the crowd and feel all cool for a few seconds, before the organizing committee would politely request you to please get down. The artists performed according to schedule and hardly any problems were encountered, except that if you got separated from your friends, there was little hope that you would find them again.
You could feel it in the energy that everybody was waiting desperately for Afrojack, and when he came on stage, the crowd went berserk. Playing his latest hits, he made the crowd move like nobody else did, despite the shortage of space, and eventually he stole the show.
It ended right on schedule, with beautiful fireworks. The hooting never stopped, and I didn’t know it to be possible, but it actually doubled after the show was over when it was announced that Swedish House Mafia will be coming this November, and that tickets go on sale tomorrow, eighth of October.
Yes, you can run now! I am personally very happy about the fact that Delhi has learned how to conduct itself, and was able to deliver such a massive event in great spirit.
If you missed Sunburn this time, no worries, because there’s so much more to follow. Head down to Goa this winter, and be prepared to get sunburnt.
First, BITS Pilani, Goa is hosting the official pre-Sunburn event on the second of November as a part of their annual cultural fest, and Waves with Nikhil Chinappa and DJ Shaan will be coming in.
And then of course, it’s followed by the eagerly awaited main event at Candolim Beach, Goa, starting from the 27th of December.
Srishti Chaudhary
Image Courtesy [Srishti Chaudhary]
