Independence Rock music festival: Founder Farhad Wadia shares what has changed

As the premier rock event of the city returns, we speak to founder Farhad Wadia about what has changed

This writer grew up in a quiet, middle-class suburb far away from town, where grainy uncles warned about rock music spoiling good kids. And yet, from the riffs of Jimmy Page and Pete Townshend to the Indian voices of Pentagram, Parikrama and Zero, the genre was a part of one’s adolescence. The return of Mahindra Independence Rock Festival this weekend marks a homecoming for many 30-year-olds like this writer longing for the lost rebellious spirit.

Still in the United States, the festival’s founder Farhad Wadia understands that emotion. Over the last nine years, he has been working to revive the flagship project which began in 1986. “It was always the intention to bring it back. The pandemic came in the way, otherwise it would have returned two-three years ago,” he tells us. The return, Wadia adds, owes much to the teaming up with Hyperlink Brand Solutions, founded by VG Jairam, that will promote the festival alongside Wadia and Paytm Insider.

Pentagram is among the old guards returning to I-Rock

For Jairam, it was an instinctive decision; a natural choice. He says, “When I wanted to bring back rock music for today’s audiences, I could only think of I-Rock as the most authentic platform.”

A major result of the partnership is a change in venue, bringing the rock celebration back to South Bombay — my neighbourhood, as Wadia calls it. The two-day festival will take place at the Bayview Lawns at Princess Dock in Mazgaon, instead of the previous hunting grounds of Chitrakoot in Andheri. Jairam describes it as a venue that enhances the experience for audiences. “The vast waterfront holds a unique experience for audiences and has a nice layout, with dedicated performance areas, food courts and bars.”

But does this upgrade rob the festival of some of its rough grunge, the mosh pits? Wadia disagrees. “If I had the facilities 10 years ago, I would have done it this way,” he says, pointing out that rock concerts in the West are as much about comfort and audience experience as the music.

(Left) Farhad Wadia with Ehsaan Noorani at a previous edition of the festival

The experience aside, the energy will be brought in by the line-up that is a diverse mix of old and young Indian rockers. The old guard of Indus Creed, Pentagram, Zero and Parikrama accompanying new names of Thaikkudam Bridge, F16s, 

Bloodywood, Aswekeepsearching, among others. “We both had our choices, and they came together synergistically. We have a diverse lineup — old legends, bands from South India, and even bands like Parvaaz, who perform in Hindi,” the founder emphasises.

Yet, it is the legacy of Independence Rock, a festival  that was born of rebellion that still weighs heavy. “Rock music was always for the classes and not the masses — the cool kids who want to pave their own path. It has always been a niche genre, and has a coolness to it that comes with  its not being completely massy,” Wadia describes.

The weekend will see a crowd of such niche, cool fans looking to revive the city’s legacy festival. One only hopes the mosh pits withstand the wave 
of nostalgia. 

On: November 5 and 6; 3.30 pm onwards
At: Bayview Lawns, Princess Dock, Mazgaon, Mumbai Port Trust
Log on to: insider.in
Cost: Rs 2,000 onwards

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