I vividly recall a conversation I had with a couple of foreigners at a backpacker hostel in McLeod Ganj eight years ago. Both of them were excitedly talking about some of the music festivals they had attended, and they asked me about the music festival scene in India.
The truth was, I had no clue. I had never been to one.
Fast forward to today, and I have attended five festivals in the last seven months. I have completely fallen in love with them.
The joy, the freedom to be silly and dress outrageously, the wonderful people you meet, the conversations you have, the sense of community and the thrill of discovering new artists are just some of the things I enjoy about music festivals. I could go on and on.
Dancing intensely to music alongside friends and strangers can be a deeply therapeutic experience. Once you get locked into the beat, you feel so present and alive that you forget about everything else.
Some of the live performances I have witnessed at these festivals have been truly magical. They still give me goosebumps whenever I think about them.
In 2024, I took a leap of faith and travelled solo to Bloom in Green, a three-day music and camping festival held on a sprawling farm in Tamil Nadu.
Bloom was more than just a music festival. It also featured a diverse line-up of workshops focused on wellness, spirituality and personal growth.
As someone deeply drawn to music, personal growth and meeting new people, Bloom hit the sweet spot by bringing all of these together in a single space.
I returned from the festival having made a large group of friends, many of whom I am still in touch with today. Since then, we have attended several festivals together.
While I was at Bloom in Green, I had an epiphany. Instead of taking solo trips to new places every year, I thought, why not travel solo to different music festivals? Following through with that idea has turned out to be a fantastic decision.
Going to music festivals has made me a better person too. They have helped me loosen up, become more empathetic and confident, and develop a deep sense of gratitude for being alive.
The only downside, if I am honest, is that attending music festivals can be quite addictive. You are always looking for another one to attend.
For me, attending music festivals is one of the most wonderful experiences of being alive. If you have never been to one, I would highly recommend giving it a chance.