As winter tightens its grip, it is the time for music fests and concerts in India. Picturesque Coorg will be hosting music artists from different genres at the Storm 2013 Camp Out music festival from February 1-2. The second 'destination festival' organized by Liquid Entertainment is expected to have up to 45 acts (compared to 40 acts for Storm I) coupled with ecological awareness and campfire jams.

Some of the acts that are set to perform at the Storm 2013 include: Raman Mahadevan + Jirka Mucha, Sidd Coutto, Siddharth Basur, Vedant Bhardwaj, Michael Dias, Alisha Pais, Solder, Anand Vijaya Simha in the Singer-Songwriter category; Tuhin Mehta a.k.a Brute Force, Vachan Chinnappa, (Storm official DJ) DJ Swing, Anish Sood, Kalypso and VJ Kaycee in the Electronic Artist segment and Mainstage artist line up of : Swarathma, Agam, Coshish, Advaita, Agnya.

Radioandmusic.com caught up with Storm festival director and Liquidspace Entertainment MD Lavin Uthappa for a ringside view of what can be expected.

Excerpt:

How many people are expected for Storm 2013 & which bands/ artists will perform at the fest- Headlining Act?

We had an audience of over 2500 people in the first edition of Storm Festival in Jan 2012. The next edition of Storm is in Feb 2013, and we do expect a considerable increase in the inflow of people attending the festival. The festival will have more than three stages this time and a lot more excitement which will be announced shortly along with the names of our headlining acts.

What are the rates and facilities of the Storm 2013? Have you roped in any sponsors for the event?

We shall be announcing the details on tickets and camping shortly. Facilities off course include comfortable and hygienic camp-out arrangements, adventure activities and obviously lots of lovely variety of music.

Yes we have roped in sponsors just like any other event of this scale would. However, we shall reveal the sponsors in due course of time.

Can you share information on how 45 artists will be ‘squeezed’ in two-days? What are their time slots, Sound & Lights arrangement?

There is no question of ‘squeezing’ in 45 artists. We have more than three stages at the main festival area, each showcasing a different genre of music for almost 10 hours each of the two days. The programming has been done in a way that all artists will be given enough time to showcase their music to their fans.

Each of the stages - while showcasing a particular genre of music - are designed in a creative manner to bring out the awe factor that compliments the music. We have a seasoned team of Sound and Light professionals who have worked on various significant Domestic/International events and concerts in the past. Hence we understand the business of Light and Sound designing, programming and engineering for events of this magnitude.

Many of the music festivals-in India and abroad- offer more than the music. The events become a communal ground for alternative lifestyle that cannot be experienced in urbanized areas. Traditional craftwork, organic food, exotic therapies are all showcased between the performances making the experience wholesome and more rounded. Storm too has promised   “Adventure, camping, ecological awareness, late night campsite jams, workshops on farming and yoga activities”.

How fast are the live concert/ festival industry growing in India? Has any study been carried out?

Change and fresh variety is what the customer is looking for. Moreover, if the Target Group (TG) gets to hear multiple artists from various genres of music, interspersed with other fun activities, then he would be more than willing to unwind in a place with these elements.

Though there is no specific study which has been carried out, in the last couple of years, some of the biggest names in the music Industry have made India a must visit destination. India has opened to big artists/acts and festivals.

Every music festival has its own special USPs (Unique Selling Proposition) that is accepted by the Indian audiences, which is good news for the artists performing as well as for people who put the fests together. Festivals which started with audiences in hundreds, have witnessed a drastic growth in attendance. This, on the other hand empowers tourism, meaning it adds value to both reach and visibility for the artists and the brands associated.

Our fest aims at spreading social awareness messages like - love and respect for the environment, minimising usage of plastic as well as discouraging consumption of drugs, through renowned musicians via the medium of music.

It would be fantastic if the world opens out to one religion called Music.