Despite Headliner Cancellations, Magnetic Fields 2018 Offered The Promised ‘Vibes'

With eight big and small stages, and multiple brand collabs, this ‘underground’ desert party is getting bigger by the year

That Magnetic Fields prides itself on offering an immersive experience is well-known among music festival junkies in India. In fact, the fluid, loosely structured nature of the three-day palace party might even count as its biggest USP–you only are informed of the schedule when you arrive (which, mind you, is not even revealed on the festival’s social media handles). And unless you carry the information booklet on you, which has the day-wise time table and artist details or are a super fan, it’s unlikely you can tell a friend which DJ’s set you just happened to enjoy at XYZ stage. Or which act is next up. Magnetic Fields doesn’t want you to follow schedules or signboards. The unspoken rule is that the music should guide you home. Which is the reason why when the news arrived of the cancellations of three big acts—Kamaal Williams, Nabihah Iqbal and Denis Sulta—it was only the music journalists on festival review duty that grumbled. The 4000-odd people came there for the vibes, which the festival offered in abundance.

There’s no denying that Magnetic Fields is probably India’s most beautiful destination music festival with some of the most diverse experiences on the bill. The allure of the majestic 17th-century Alsisar Mahal playing a sort of anachronistic host to futuristic sounds is unparalleled. Not to mention camping in the desert. Adding to the onstage gigs, this year saw stargazing get-togethers, VR showcases, aromatherapy sessions, treasure hunt, yoga retreat, among other things. And even if all of this came with a huge price tag (festival packages range between `12,000 to `92,000), it didn’t stop the festival from being sold-out. Here are 7 big moments that stood out for us.

Musical and Gender Diversity FTW: Stellar sets by Kristy Harper, Carista, Cora Novoa and Nino Brown