If you weren’t an EDM fan earlier… you’re probably listening to it now while you Eat, Sleep, Rave & Repeat! The Sunburn Festival in Mumbai & Bangalore this time around, showcased perhaps the best set of DJs ever to have performed together in India. Each artist, from both India and internationally has produced, remixed or collaborated with the top 10 DJs and music labels in the world and yet maintained their own distinct identity and mixing styles. Their origins begin with having picked up their first instrument at age 7 to go on to produce several of their own productions and remixes by age 20, while others within a year or two of their debut tracks and live performances have been acknowledged by the likes of Armin Van Buuren, Above & Beyond and Swedish House Mafia.
Though this blogger is a little envious of the Bangalore Line-up schedule… Mumbai did get to hear a few more artists and longer sets from each performer. So here are the highlights.
BEST INTRODUCTION TO INDIA: ORJAN NILSEN
Born on June 14th, 1982 in Kirkenes, Norway, Ørjan‘s work with the dutch label Armada Music started with the track “Red Woods” released in 2006 under his DJ Governor alias, and over the years, Ørjan found his groove, flashing samples of his huge potential, with “La Guitarra” (2008), Lovers Lane and So Long Radio (2010). Ørjan went on to release his first artist album in 2011 titled “In My Opinion”, which stormed up sales charts and catapulted Ørjan onto the watch-list of every EDM fan. His performance set at Sunburn Mumbai was by the far the most uplifting one of all, paving way for the one and only Paul Van Dyk.
BEST CROWD ENERGY LEVELS: SHOWTEK
Showtek are Wouter and Sjoerd Janssen, two brothers who live for electronic dance music. Showtek have passion they turn into creation, producing music that shattered all expectations in just under a decade of hitting the scene. Their 2013 hit single, Booyah feat. We Are Loud & Sonny Wilson featured in performance sets by other DJs too.
In Mumbai, they performed a 2hr set on Stage 2 while Orjan Nilsen performed on Stage 1, which is why Bangalore perhaps had the better line-up schedule featuring a 90 min set by Orjan Nilsen followed by Showtek at the same stage.
BEST CLOSING ACT: DIMITRI VEGAS & LIKE MIKE
It would be hard to say how the Belgian brothers was the Best Closing Act for the Mumbai segment but yet, the crowd energy levels were even higher for Showtek. Saturday did see a higher number of people at Sunburn Mumbai and even though techno legend, Adam Beyer towered over his console at Stage 2 with an electrifying upbeat techno house set, 90% of the crowd still stomped around every inch of Stage 1 to hear the Tomorrowland legends perform.
BEST SEGMENT LINE-UP: WOLFPACK – DIMITRI VEGAS & LIKE MIKE
Though they seemed to have a rocky start with a few glitches in between their set, Wolfpack took stage and took charge! The duo pulled over the stage 2 crowd where house legend Josh Wink was amidst taking Mumbai into a Higher State of Consciousness.
Taking over the controls, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike tipped the scale with their showmanship getting each and every person around Stage 1 to jump up and down to their electrifying tunes. By far the best closing act seen on Friday, Paul Van Dyk and Fedde Le Grand, they too will be the most remembered performance this time around.
BIG SHOUT OUT: PAUL VAN DYK
Perhaps the first international DJ to visit India, he truly did introduce India to the world of house & trance, which today we all know and respect as EDM. He has performed in India several times, with each performance being more energetic than the rest. At Sunburn Mumbai, each and every individual in the audience present was already a fan! He took over after Orjan Nilsen but not before a 15min setup change which gave a lot of us in the audience some time to fill up our glasses and actually sit down. However, it only took 30 seconds after he pressed PLAY for us all to be up and raving.
One thing unanimous amongst the 20 performing artists was their enthusiasm in performing for the Mumbai – Bangalore crowd, sharing their love for EDM music through every minute. All in all, the message throughout was clear, EAT, SLEEP, RAVE, REPEAT!