Music festival in Ladakh promises unique experience

This July 15, an unlikely audience of corporate gangs, blonde hippies and guitar-toting teenagers will congregate at an unlikelier location – Ladakh.

They will play some music, eat a lot of momos and save the planet while they’re at it. The Ladakh Confluence is the catalyst – a musical festival organised by a handful of young professionals and enthusiastic volunteers, which is now in its second year.

Local Mumbai bands which are slated to perform include Tough on Tobacco, Hipnotribe and Pulp Society. International acts (which were booked months in advance because of the busy international concert season) include Manu Delago, Christoph Pepe Auer, Jamie Catto and the Supersonics.

Sidd Coutto, front man of Mumbai band Tough on Tobacco, is excited to be performing at such a unique location. “The Confluence has quickly become one of the most talked-about festivals of the country. It’s an honour to play there.”

Headed by Swaati Laangeh, the core team consists of six to seven organisers. There is also the invisible army of volunteers coordinated by the Freedom of Expression organisation.
Things to remember – arrive a day early to acclimatise. Drink at least three litres of water everyday, and get plenty of sleep. Carry your medication and watch out for symptoms of altitude sickness.

“Ladakh is a desert with no cloud cover so always carry sunblock,” advises Prachi, a music photographer, adding, “After last year’s spike in attendance, flight fares have gone up dramatically for that week.”

“Trying to explain the Confluence to someone who wasn’t there is like trying to describe a new colour,” says Kailash, a local musician. “It’s the beautiful surroundings, the food and the people – it’s unlike any other festival.”