Afrojack is heading to Sri Lanka, ladies and gentlemen. Need I say more? In a country where a scorching sun beats down mercilessly on a regular basis, not everyone is enthusiastic about sunburns . However, come October 7 all that is about to change, as Sunburn- Asia’s largest music festival-heads to our shores for a [...]

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The Sundaytimes Sri Lanka

Bring on the Sunburn

By Duvindi Illankoon, Pix by Athula Devapriya
Mirror Magazine speaks to the faces bringing Asia’s largest music festival to Colombo in October
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Afrojack is heading to Sri Lanka, ladies and gentlemen. Need I say more?

In a country where a scorching sun beats down mercilessly on a regular basis, not everyone is enthusiastic about sunburns . However, come October 7 all that is about to change, as Sunburn- Asia’s largest music festival-heads to our shores for a warm up unlike you’ve ever encountered.

Shailendra

Karan

Warm up, it certainly will be. This event is just a prelude of what is to come to Sri Lanka over the next year, says CEO of the Sunburn Festival, Karan Singh, who was down in Sri Lanka recently to finalise plans for what looks set to be Sri Lanka’s biggest festival event.

Make no mistake, for this is no mere exaggeration as the last Sunburn festival in Goa drew over 100,000 people over three days of festivities. It’s not just a party- it’s an experience. And just like the paradise isle it’s coming to, it’s an experience like no other.

Sunburn came to India in 2007; Percept India, one of the country’s largest advertising companies introduced the festival to the party-loving masses of Goa, with its rich heritage of music and culture. The crowds loved it. ‘Sunburn’ is not just about the world-class house and dance music they loved so much-but walk into the festival premises and you will be greeted by what resembles a small village. From flea markets to rock climbing and homemade food stalls to basketball, they have something for everyone.

“Sunburn lets you be who you are,” says Shailendra Singh, joint Managing Director of Percept. “It’s not just a party. You could sit under a tree and read a book or just chill out with a bunch of friends and watch. There’s no obligation for you to do anything. Just walk into the festival and soak up the atmosphere and let it make your mind up for you.”

Over the last five years there have been eight Sunburn festivals in Goa, Mumbai and Noida. Sunburn Colombo is their first venture outside home turf (they plan to give all of Asia some Sunburn over the next few years) and they say they couldn’t have picked better. “Geographically, this was the obvious choice,” smiles Shailendra. “But we didn’t pick Sri Lanka for that reason alone. You guys have got such atmosphere, such an inviting aura to you. I came here and felt instantly welcome. I am just loving the energy of this place!”

Previous events have been graced by the likes of Dash Berlin, Avicii, Axwell, Paul Van Dyke, Armin van Burren-some of the top ranked DJ’s in the world. It gets better. For the first time in Sunburn history, Afrojack will be gracing the decks right here in Sri Lanka. The multi-award winning, platinum selling producer from Holland already has two Grammy’s under his belt. He is one of Electronic Dance Music (EDM)’s icons; and has chosen Colombo for his first Sunburn performance!

“We’ve had a lot of big DJ’s down in South Asia lately,” says Karan. “Word spreads in the DJ community. Afrojack has headlined almost every major music festival for the last 12 months-we’ve been in talks with him for a while and of course we’re very excited for his first performance in this region, right here in Colombo.” It’s not just another festival; these guys are quick to point out. Sunburn is a brand. Word is out in Colombo already and despite a majority having never experienced Sunburn, the frisson of anticipation is palpable. “Word of mouth is a great thing,” smile the organizers. “Sunburn has never failed to deliver and that’s what brings in the crowd every single time. Sunburn’s got soul.”

The Sunburn festival opens on October 7 at 7pm at CH &FC Grounds, Colombo. Sunburn Colombo will also be the first to be screened across the world in almost 80 countries by VH1. They’ve got one question for you, Sri Lanka. Are you ready to show the world how to have a good time?




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