Mumbai: Since its inception, Mahindra Independence Rock has embraced an unapologetic spirit. Iron Maiden’s lead vocalist Bruce Dickinson once said, “Kids get bored easily. They have got to get out and get their hands dirty: make things, dismantle things, fix things.” In its 30th edition, the festival, titled ‘Dirty 30,’ will take place on 16 and 17 November 2024, continuing its tradition of embodying the rock genre’s anti-establishment ethos. To celebrate the milestone, Mahindra I-Rock offered ₹30 limited edition tickets, which sold out in 90 minutes after being announced via an Instagram post, without aggressive marketing.
The Bayview Lawns in Mazagon will host the 30th edition, following last year’s performances, including a surprise act by Parikrama featuring Farhad Wadia. This year’s edition promises a diverse lineup of genres and languages. ‘Dirty 30’ will maintain its theme throughout the festival, while continuing to represent the spirit of a legacy that challenged India’s music norms. The event will feature guitar riffs, pounding drums, and frontmen delivering powerful performances.
In 1971, a distinct music scene began to take root in Mumbai, then called Bombay. The Simla Beat Contest in Matunga served as the precursor to Independence Rock, marking a shift in the country’s musical landscape. Farhad Wadia, the driving force behind I-Rock, started the movement after being banned from performing at St. Xavier’s College. The first edition took place during India’s Independence Day celebrations, laying the foundation for a rock revolution in India.
Independence Rock has shaped India’s festival scene, becoming a key event for rock and metal fans. The festival has featured artists like AR Rahman, Indus Creed, and Hanumankind of T.ill Apes, many of whom went on to achieve global success.
In 2001, despite heavy rain, Farhad Wadia found the festival venue filled with eager attendees, reinforcing the resilience of rock music. Although the festival paused in 2013, it returned with new energy a decade later, partnering with Hyperlink Brand Solutions Pvt Ltd and Insider.in. Each year, the festival has aimed to surpass previous experiences, cementing its place as India’s oldest and most prominent rock event.
Independence Rock founder Farhad Wadia said, “My love affair with rock music began long back, and I-Rock became a channel to express that love and reverence for the genre. It has been a fulfilling journey to see an act of rebellion culminate into 30 editions of a universal, raw, and intimate sonic odyssey that has grown into a big platform, accommodating artists across the nation. We have levelled up and brought some interesting acts on board for the 30th edition, setting a new benchmark for experiential concerts. These thirty years have been nothing short of arduous efforts, sweat, and most importantly, love. To sum it up, I would like to quote a lyric from a Black Sabbath song, which goes, ‘Love is life and hating is living death.’ ”
Wadia, along with Mahindra and Hyperlink Solutions, has laboured to take fans’ experience up another notch. Through the evolutionary years of rock in the world and India, it has always been reinvented, as the genre itself stands for challenging the conventional.
Mahindra Group VP of cultural outreach Jay Shah said, “Mahindra Group has always strived to push the cultural envelope in the country and initiate an important dialogue around arts and culture. By joining forces with Farhad and Hyperlink Brand Solutions, we are instilling life again in a genre that has caused transformation across the globe, and Mahindra Group is more than happy to associate with the 30th edition milestone of I-Rock, working as a catalyst for reshaping the sonic experiences of Indians and scaling the volume of the festival as we enter a new decade of India’s loudest rock event.”
Hyperlink Brand Solutions Pvt Ltd founder VG Jairam said, “Hyperlink Solutions’ vision lies in promulgating any medium that transforms the storytelling experience for its audience. All these years, since the inception of the festival, Farhad Wadia and I-Rock have contributed to creating a cultural wave that revolutionised rock in the country. It is a great pleasure to further promote the indigenous talent at Independence Rock that goes on to pave the way for others on the global stage. With this 30th Edition, Farhad and Hyperlink Solutions are all set to create a transcendental musical experience for the audience and a rite of passage for the performers and audience alike.”
As the festival begins, attendees will experience powerful riffs that resonate with the crowd of rockers and metalheads. There will be pyrotechnics, and artists will engage directly with the audience. The blend of cultures and genres will take the crowd from Mazagon to the streets of New Orleans and the reggae rhythms of Jamaica.
Ranging from raw rock to neo-soul, the music and food will connect the audience for an evening of timeless beats. I-Rock’s 30th edition marks its shift from a niche event to a nationally recognized rock festival, drawing multiple generations to celebrate the genre. Tickets are available on Insider.in.
