Amidst an industry saturated with sponsorship and commercial influence, the 13th edition of Control Alt Delete (CAD) music festival emerges as a beacon of hope, encapsulating the true spirit of indie music. Situated within the verdant expanses of Roaring Farms in Malad, Mumbai, the festival sets the stage for a vibrant cultural confluence.
“This is only the fourth edition of this being in a festival format. Before that, we have had individual gigs on different dates and locations. It made more sense to put it together as a festival,” reveals Pratika E Prabhune, who oversees Marketing and Communications at CAD.
A bold stand against corporate capitalism, the festival is nurtured by the dedication and financial contributions of a robust community that spans fans, artists, organizers, and artisans alike. Reflecting a deeply ingrained ethos of inclusivity, CAD pioneers the ‘pay what you want’ scheme, ensuring that inflated ticket prices do not inhibit the communal experience of music. “We believe in inclusivity and understand that not everyone can afford to shell out exorbitant ticket prices,” asserts Pratika.
CAD’s target for funding has soared to ₹10 lakh from the previous year’s ₹5 lakh, demonstrating a commitment to fairly compensating the artists. The latest fundraising endeavor has managed to amass 48%, or ₹4,87,800, of the intended amount, with the organizers maintaining a confident outlook on reaching full funding.
The festival’s financial model also includes physical donation boxes, or daanpeti, allowing attendees to make contributions in a tangible manner. Generous donors are acknowledged with shout-outs, exclusive merchandise, and the opportunity to engage with their favorite artists, the nature of the reward scaling with the size of the contribution.
Integrity is paramount at CAD; proceeds from the festival are equally distributed among performing artists after production costs are covered. This principle aligns with the festival’s ‘artist first’ mentality, fostering a platform where musicians irrespective of age, popularity, or genre receive the same level of respect and opportunity to captivate audiences. “We aim at curating a festival that has a lot of fresh sound, and the line-up is based on discovery,” adds Pratika.
Spanning a kaleidoscopic tonal spectrum, CAD offers stages that celebrate a variety of musical expressions. The festival features Home Turf for hip-hop enthusiasts, Electric Jungle pulsating with electronic and hip-hop fusion beats, Orchard where singer-songwriters serenade amidst nature, Backyard extolling alternative tunes, and Survive This, a safe haven for metal music aficionados.
Each year, CAD teems with anticipation for new acts and talents. This season yields an eclectic array. From the sibling pair Merak from Goa, to rapper-producer duo Shreyas & Vedang from Pune, the lineup is brimming with excitement. Other notable acts include Tribemama MaryKali, Tejas Menon recently famed from ‘The Archies’ film, the unseen death metal band Moral Collapse, and the seasoned Third Sovereign.
The festival, stepping up to embrace diversity, proudly hosts Wild Wild Women, India’s inaugural all-female hip-hop collective. 2023 saw a crowd of roughly 4,500 people, and with the event making a comeback post-COVID, expectations are running high for an even greater turnout. CAD further accommodates music lovers who wish to deepen their experience through camping options and maintains a pet-friendly atmosphere.
The two-day musical extravaganza, scheduled for January 13 and 14, promises a renewed sense of community and a celebration of raw, untapped talent. Contributions for participating in the festival are welcome through the official Control Alt Delete website.
Stay tuned for more insights into the country’s premier events and festivities. If wanderlust and cultural exploration appeal to you, this space is yours to watch.
