2 days of I-Rock: Mumbaikars in for headbanging treat in Nov | Mumbai News – Times of India

Get ready to raise your horns and bang your head as Independence Rock (I-Rock) makes its thunderous return to Mumbai’s Bayview Lawns for its 29th edition. After last year’s triumphant comeback following a nine-year hiatus, the iconic rock festival is primed to set the stage ablaze once again with its two-day rock extravaganza on November 4 and 5.
Variety takes centrestage in this edition with subcultures and rock genres from every corner of India, spanning the Deccan to the Himalayas and even crossing borders into Nepal, coming together for a rock odyssey of melodic rock to death metal, infused with reggae and traditional Carnatic sounds.
The lineup isn’t playing favourites. If seasoned pros such as Parikrama and Bhayanak Maut return for a high-energy encore performance, making their I-Rock debut this time are Girish & the Chronicles bringing their power ballads, glam metal, hard rock, and classic ’80s metal from the valleys of Sikkim. Meghalaya’s Mama Tips & The Mama’s Boys will throw in R&B and soul while Gutslit intends to serve up intense death metal and grindcore. For fusion enthusiasts, Swarathma has you covered with their folk-rock with socio-political lyrics.
Then there’s T.ill Apes, featuring Hanumankind, which aims to captivate rock enthusiasts with their unique neo-soul sound, Sid Coutto’s alternative rock band Tough on Tobacco joins the lineup for a genre-bending rock-reggae experience while Carnatic progressive rockers Agam are bringing traditional ragas with a hint of rock and metal to the mix.
But the party doesn’t stop at India’s borders. Kathmandu’s rock sensation Underside is crossing the line to bring their modern twist on retro rock and old-school thrash.
I-Rock also gives bands with big dreams a shot at stardom through their country-wide band hunt and a chance for the winning group to kick off the festival as the opening act.
“I-Rock was and still is the holy grail of true rock-and-roll experience. Moreover, with such a varied lineup of bands from across the country, I’m certain that this edition will connect diverse audiences with stories and cultures that resonate with them,” says VG Jairam of Hyperlink Brand Solutions organising the festival.