Live in Goa

Music India’s independent music arm (Sony Music Independent) and Oranjuice Entertainment,a company dedicated to promoting and producing music-based events,Live from the Console became so popular that soon it went from being a once-a-month affair to at least two editions every month.

Earlier this year,around the first anniversary of the event,the organisers announced plans to take the concept to Kolkata and Goa and eventually to other cities in India. Kolkata and the other cities have not been confirmed yet because they are giving a great deal of importance to finding the right venue and haven’t been able to do so yet. However,Owen Roncon,co-founder,Oranjuice Entertainment,says a two-day festival will be held in Goa on December 29 and 30.

The plan is to make it an annual property and Goa is the right choice. “Goa used to be a place for a lot of live music,but there’s very little of that left now,” says Roncon. “We’re looking to recreate that,especially around the holiday season when many people want to go to Goa but choose not to because it’s not their kind of music.” He also hopes the Indian indie bands they feature will attract the attention of the tourists there. “Our Indian bands are really good and need the exposure,” he says.

Interestingly,straying away from the norm of organising festivals in North Goa (most famously Sunburn),Live from the Console will be held in South Goa,known for its quieter and less populated beaches. “We wanted to move away from the hectic and crowded scene,” says Roncon,referring to the densely populated area of North Goa that resonates with house and electronic dance music around that time of the year.

The line-up reflects this desire to stick to the original concept of Live from the Console,which,from the beginning,called itself a no-frills event with a sole focus on indie music. Among the international acts are Julian Marley,the son of Bob Marley,and his band; Awolnation,an American electronic rock band whose single Sail from their debut album Megalithic Symphony became a hit around the world; and UK-based Dub Mafia,who blend drum and bass,dub and reggae. The Indian acts feature some of the favourites on the scene currently,including Sky Rabbit,Peter Cat Recording Co.,Siddharth Basrur (most famously of Goddess Gagged) and Tough on Tobacco.