Check Out!! The aesthetic photos of Lucky Ali, Bombay Bandook and more that enlivened the GIFLIF Indiestaan Music Festival 2023

One of the few festivals which launched on large-scale music events after the things first eased during the pandemic in February 2021 is Bhopal's GIFLIF – The Great Indian Film and Literature Festival. The festival was drive-in, which made it much more innovative and entrepreneurial, following the protocols of public gatherings during Covid-19.

With the same concept this time also, GIFLIF Indiestaan Music Festival held on 18th and 19th February at the same drive-in theater ground. Taking place during the Mahashivratri weekend in Bhopal, the two-day Indiestaan Music Festival brought together Indian pop veteran Lucky Ali, fusion favorites like Thaikkudam Bridge (for the Kerala act’s first performance in central India), Mumbai’s Anand Bhaskar Collective and Bombay Bandook (who were returning performers at GIFLIF), plus poet and singer-songwriter Kavish Seth’s band iteration (only a few gigs old at this point) and electronic-informed rock act The Western Ghats. Including the short but meditative set by guitarist Shashank Verma with his own double neck electro-acoustic guitar.

From confetti cannons and pyro to food stalls lining each end of the venue and VIP tables set up in front of the stage. Everything was arranged well for a great festival experience.

The idea to bring in Lucky Ali was a big step up. It clearly drove the demand for tickets that made for a full house by the time the pop artist took the stage to close the festival on day two. While day one included showcasing recent breakthroughs like The Western Ghats, it also piled on a high-energy set by Anand Bhaskar Collective and heavier stuff from Thaikkudam Bridge. The jump-around vibe of day one was contrasted (perhaps intentionally) with the mellower, more introspective yet cheeky music of Kavish Seth, Bombay Bandook and Lucky Ali.

Check out some of these aesthetic photographs from the event!!