Echoes of Earth, India's greenest festival, has unveiled the music line-up for its debut edition in Goa.
With its unique live music experiences, the festival is dedicated to celebrating sustainability and conservation through art, music and culture, and takes place on February 2, 3 and 4, 2024, at Chopdem, North Goa.
‘Ensemble of the Wild’, Echoes of Earth will highlight India's richest biodiversity hotspot, the Western Ghats, focusing on the interconnectedness of flora, fauna, habitats and ecosystems.
The festival will collaborate with Goa Tourism, Goa State Biodiversity Board and WWF-India to celebrate and assist the efforts of local stakeholders in preserving the delicate biodiversity of the Western Ghats.
For its first-ever Goa edition, a curated mix of international artists, along with eclectic local acts, will take the stage.
The event will kick off with a cultural showcase, featuring traditional Goan folk forms such as Ghode Modni — a unique blend of martial arts and horse dance — and ghumot (an earthen vessel percussion instrument) musical performances, paying homage to the rich heritage of Goan culture.
These music performances have been curated as a reflection of the commitment to showcasing the live music acts intrinsic to Goan heritage.
The diverse music lineup features the mesmerizing sounds of Satori, Glass Beams, Oden & Fatzo, Garden City Movement, Space Dimension Controller and Balkan Bump, among others.
Talented Indian and Goa-based artists like Leaxan Freitas, Merak, Elvis Lobo, Dualist Inquiry, Discokid, Vairaagi and Shantam & Steffan bring their tunes to the mix.
Rooted in Goa's music culture, many of these artists either hail from the region or have played a pivotal role in shaping its vibrant musical heritage.
Since its inception, Echoes of Earth has collaborated with a diverse array of global visual and multimedia artists, transforming urban scrap and waste into larger-than-life stages and captivating art installations.
A display of over 20-plus art installations will be created by renowned artists, such as well-known herpetologist and artist Nirmal Kulkarni, presenting the 'Yellow-Lipped Sea Krait', Chakoo, contributing bamboo infrastructure throughout the venue, and Yadhunandan, showcasing 'Praying Mantis and Olive Ridley Turtles,' among others.
With four uniquely designed stages — 'The Kraken' and 'The Big Beak,' paying homage to the Giant Pacific Octopus and Great Indian Hornbill respectively by Siddhartha Kararwal, 'The Ghost,' honouring the Horned Ghost Crab by Muzamil Shairff — will be crafted from recycled junk media.
Additionally, the introduction of the distinctive Jungle Bar stage, designed within a jungle setting, will bring an immersive, distinctive ambience to the musical performances.
Mindful consumption, waste reduction, and a celebration of local Goan cuisine will take centrestage while curating the food market for this year’s edition of the festival.
In addition to this, a collective of 15-plus sustainable brands across fashion, lifestyle and decor will be on display championing slow living.
Besides its commitment to upcycling and recycling, Echoes of Earth is also on a mission to become a carbon-neutral, plastic-free, zero-waste event in the coming years.
From implementing a robust waste management system to eliminating the use of single-use plastic water bottles and cups by installing free RO water filters and offering steel tumblers, the festival champions sustainable practices.
Founder & Festival Director of Echoes of Earth, Roshan Netalkar, states, “Everything in this edition will bring alive the wildlife of the Western Ghats through art, installations and information.”
Netalkar adds that the festival is planned over three days so that people can engage with the experience beyond just the music and also enjoy all the stages and artists at their own pace.
Rooted in Goa's music culture, many of these artists either hail from the region or have played a pivotal role in shaping its vibrant musical heritage.
“We aim to align our festival with the essence of what Goa offers while introducing responsible celebration and environmental perspectives to enhance the overall experience for both audiences and Goa itself,” he says.
Lastly, the music lineup has a diverse range of live performances balanced across the three days, promising a rich and interesting weekend,” he adds.
From implementing a robust waste management system to eliminating the use of single-use plastic water bottles and cups by installing free RO water filters and offering steel tumblers, the festival champions sustainable practices.
Echoes of Earth, designed as a ‘festival-for-all’, is nestled in 100 acres of green landscapes of the scenic Brham farms in Chopdem, adding to the experience.
With a commitment to inclusivity, it welcomes people of all ages and even their pets, creating a space where everyone can come together to celebrate responsibly and immerse themselves in experiential offerings of music, art, culture and food.
For a holistic experience, the specially curated Greener Side Zone will offer educational sessions, including workshops on butterflies, insects, geckoes and mangroves.
Participants can also engage in activities such as music workshops, face painting and a guided festival walkthrough.
Echoes of Earth is India's greenest festival that aims to spread a larger message through meaningful art, culture and conservation. The festival aims to educate, create awareness, and promote responsible celebration.
Over the past 5 years, Echoes of Earth has hosted over 400-plus international and Indian music artists.
The festival also hosts various cultural and curated immersive experiences that are portals for exploration, experimentation and knowledge transfer.
