Magnetic Fields Announces Lineup For 2023 Edition

Magnetic Fields, one of India’s top contemporary arts and music festivals, has just released its first lineup for the 2023 event. With ‘Preservation’ as its central theme, the 3-day event is all set to return at its flagship location of Alsisar Mahal from December 15-17, 2023 for a 9^th edition.

The festival returns with a newly curated array of ideas and experiences, featuring a mix of up-and-coming and well-known international acts, alongside special performances from prominent Indian performers and budding talents that promise an eclectic festival experience.

Alongside the festival’s folk music showcasing Puqaar Stage, the Ray-Ban Desert Oasis will kick off the event on Friday afternoon with a mix of broad-ranging music provided by the Warehouse Mix collective, featuring DJs No Mo Soul and Tartaruga. On Saturday afternoon, the duo Dar Disku from Bahrain will introduce Middle Eastern and global sounds in the desert, followed by the unique musical selections of Jennifer Loveless, a London-based Canadian-Australian DJ. On Sunday afternoon, a special showcase titled ‘AAGUU Presents: Solar Spirit Feat. Rishi Sippy, TaoFu & AAGUU x Alex Kassian’ will offer a diverse range of electronic music genres, including chill-wave, downtempo, progressive house, techno, with hints of disco and trance.

The Jameson Connects South Stage, located on the palace lawns, is set to feature some of the most exciting acts in contemporary electronica, both from India and around the world. The 2023 edition will include performances by Delhi experimental producer Goya, legendary Afrobeat musician Dele Sosimi (along with his five-piece band), the Nepalese trans-traditional rock band Gauley Bhai from Bangalore, live audiovisual sets by Dolorblind as well as Dualist Inquiry, an electronica producer from Goa who will provide a special show of his upcoming album titled ‘When We Get There.’

One of the festival's highlights will be Sandunes, a composer and pianist now based in Los Angeles, who will premiere tracks from her upcoming transcendental LP, set to be released in November. The festival will also feature live sets from various artists, including Jitwam, a multi-instrumentalist, producer, and vocalist based in Brooklyn; Elle Shimada, a violinist and producer; Kareem Ali, an emerging American producer known for his funk-infused deep house style; Raj, a guitarist and beatmaker from Delhi; Meba Ofilia, a hip-hop artist from Shillong; and the genre-blending Many Roots Ensemble.

The BUDx North Stage is the hub of electronic dance music, featuring DJs and producers who are recognized as trailblazers in their specific styles or genres.

In the upcoming event, the North Stage will include I.Jordan, an exciting electronic music producer, Paula Tape, a Chilean DJ and producer based in Milan renowned for her sun-soaked house music selections, and Bake, an exceptional selector from Glasgow. They will be joined by the rapidly emerging artist Yu Su, hailing from Kaifeng and now based in Vancouver, the Bahrain-based duo Dar Disku, and the Indian DJ Rishi Sippy. Another standout performer on the nighttime stage will be Mella Dee, a versatile DJ and producer who is redefining warehouse music for dance music enthusiasts, and ADHD, a London-based DJ who has established a distinctive sound and presence in the industry since his debut in 2021.

Taking the lead at BUDxYARD will be the enigmatic yet highly-regarded Belgian DJ Nosedrip, along with Otik, a DJ and producer originally from Bristol and now based in London, known for blending the boundaries of UK bass and techno. Also gracing the stage will be Orpheu The Wizard, an Amsterdam-based selector with a unique style. They will be joined by Moopie, a sound wizard originally from Beijing and now based in Melbourne, the acclaimed selector Jennifer Loveless, and emerging DJs such as Girls Night Out, Kandy Kuri, and GoodMostlyBad.

The Glasgow-based record label and creative collective known as Numbers has been a prominent figure in the electronic music scene not only in the UK but also worldwide by collaborating with groundbreaking and iconic producers such as SOPHIE, Hudson Mohawke, and Rustie. In 2023, Numbers marks the 20th anniversary of their club nights and parties in Glasgow, commemorating this milestone with a series of international events. One of these events will be a showcase at Magnetic Fields, featuring the exceptionally talented Hudson Mohawke and Spencer, the co-founder of the label and a notably outstanding music selector.

The Resident Advisor party on Saturday night is a festival highlight that holds a unique place of importance. In 2023, it will feature two rising stars from the UK dance music scene, Amaliah and Danielle, who will perform together in a back-to-back set. Getting the night started will be an Indian techno DJ and producer Dotdat.

During the festival weekend, the palace dungeons undergo a transformation into a vibrant dance space on both Friday and Saturday. The lineup includes notable figures such as the acclaimed London selector Mixtress and the Goa-based DJ and producer OX7GEN on Friday. Saturday's lineup is curated by Delhi-based Antariksh Records and will feature artists like Marbman, Sentient, Antariksh Daddy, and Zequenx.

The Peacock Club is a versatile venue that changes its purpose throughout the day and night. It begins as a storytelling tent during the daytime and transforms into a dancefloor adorned with disco ball lights in the evening. This year, it will debut a midnight session called the Midnight Dub Club, presented by the BFR Soundsystem, featuring Delhi Sultanate and guest artists on Saturday. For the renowned Sunday night closing event, the Irish party expert and exceptional music selector Or:la will be in charge.

The Sundowner, known as the beloved stage for sunset performances, will feature a brand-new live show titled 'Etymon' by Delhi-based producer Vridian, along with a set by Alboe, a composer from the capital. Other noteworthy acts include Unnayanaa, a DJ and producer from Bangalore, presenting his new live set 'Osmosis,' as well as performances by emerging young producers Sanoli Chowdhury and Angus 12. Additionally, American producer and trumpet player Kareem Ali will present a live set.

DDC x Pursue Cosmic Disco Bar, one of the festival's most popular and crowded spaces, will be hosted by the Dynamite Disco Collective for the weekend. The lineup includes DDC founder Stalvart John, Sindhi Curry, Farhan Rehman, Carissa, and a few surprise sets to keep the atmosphere lively and exciting.

The theme for this year is ‘Preservation’- a call to action to protect what’s good, revive whats fading, and preserve what’s essential for humanity. The festival will be a tribute to preservation in its various aspects. From the decorations and design components to the events, educational sessions and music, it will mirror the festival’s commitment to safeguarding and paying tribute to the rich array of cultures and traditions.

Picture by Parikshit Deshpande

Words by Urmimala Mukherjee & Amaan Khan