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NH7 Weekender 2024 promises a musical trip that blends nostalgia and innovation, with over 30 musicians, interactive zones, and a renewed vision.
Mark your calendars for December 14-15, Pune!
The NH7 Weekender promises a revitalised experience with a new two-day format and an exceptional lineup as it prepares for its historic 15th edition on December 14–15, 2024, at Teerth Fields, Pune. The event, which is co-presented by The House of McDowell’s Soda, is unwavering in its dedication to sustainability, music, and community, guaranteeing spectators a super amazing celebration.
The 15th iteration of NH7 Weekender pays homage to its history of openness and exploration. The festival features eco-friendly practices, gaming areas, and immersive experiences while celebrating the diversity of music genres, featuring international stars like Jorja Smith and DJ Craze as well as Indian icons like Usha Uthup and King. “It’s a space for memories, community, and creativity,” shares Akshat Rathee, Co-founder of Nodwin Gaming.
Let’s hear it from them, what this immense celebration has got for the audience this year around!
Excerpts from the interview:-
Over the course of 15 editions, NH7 Weekender evolved. How has the festival preserved its essential values while remaining current and relevant?
Akshat Rathee – NH7 Weekender, co-presented by The House of McDowell’s Soda, endeavours to be a multi-genre music festival built around being a platform for discovery. Our vision at NODWIN Gaming is to hold a significant timeshare of mindshare among the youth by offering multiple entertainment touchpoints to capture their interest and attention. While that is at the core of who we are as a festival, other tenets that have remained true to our vision are sustainability, inclusivity and community. As the festival evolves, in this new era NH7 Weekender and The House of McDowell’s Soda have joined forces for the first time in a new, synergistic association. This also marks a shift in the festival’s format- a tighter 2 day format crafted to provide attendees with an enhanced curated experience. The festival features several debut festival performances, playing alongside internationally acclaimed artists across multiple genres and stages. To us, the attendees and connections are at the festival’s core, and giving them an unforgettable experience is a top priority. Gaming is also a key pillar for us which led to the integration of gaming a few years ago, offering attendees a fresh, interactive experience & a place to kick back with friends between sets.
Given the popularity of sustainability, could you tell us about any eco-friendly projects or eco-friendly procedures that NH7 Weekender is implementing this year?
Tej Brar – NH7 Weekender was the first festival in the country to start employing waste management as a regular practice. While we have grown with multiple editions across the country, sustainability and waste management have remained a key tenet of what we do. This year, with a new co-presenting partner, The House of McDowell’s Soda, we are committed to continuing our efforts towards sustainability together. In addition to this, we were the first festival that limited the use of single-use plastics, so you won’t see any plastic water bottles at NH7 Weekender for public consumption. We are committed to making NH7 Weekender more sustainable each year, actively seeking new partnerships and exploring innovative ways to reduce our environmental impact and make the festival greener.
The lineup for this year is an intriguing blend of local talent and international celebrities. How do you curate the festival’s offerings to maintain a balance between these various musical genres?
Tej Brar- NH7 Weekender, co-presented by The House of McDowell’s Soda has always been a genre-agnostic festival. As we approach our programming each year, we want to ensure that there is something for everyone. Over the years, the festival has been a platform for everything from hip-hop to pop to electronic music, rock, R&B, and beyond. This year, we are proud to be celebrating international superstars like Jorja Smith and renowned, global turntable icon- DJ Craze, alongside Indian powerhouses like Amit Trivedi, King, Raftaar and Usha Uthup. With each edition of the festival, we strive to strike a balance between homegrown and international talent, offering a diverse mix of genres that attracts a broad and varied audience. Our programming strategy is also dynamic, adapting to shifting trends and evolving audience preferences over time. As the festival grows, we aim to refine our approach to stay in tune with how music consumption changes in the country.
Many people refer to NH7 Weekender as “the happiest music festival.” What aspects of the celebration distinguish it from other Indian event?
Akshat Rathee – As the first mover, NH7 Weekender, has introduced many young music enthusiasts to their first multi-genre music festival experience. Our longevity has allowed us to play a significant role in shaping the country’s festival landscape. The association between NH7 Weekender and the House of McDowell’s Soda is a natural fit, as both brands share a common goal that resonates deeply with the spirit of friendship and community. The House of McDowell’s Soda is synonymous with ‘Yaaron Waali Baat’, while NH7 Weekender serves as the backdrop, where 1000s of happy stories have been developed. This is where we share a common pride– being an integral part of people’s cherished experiences. The festival has been a hub for countless friendships, lifelong partnerships have been formed and people have even met their significant others here. Over the years, some of them have become parents, now returning with their kids to NH7 Weekender! We are referred to as the happiest music festival because we have had the opportunity to bring joy to so many people over the last 15 years and that’s where our tagline for this year – #WelcomeToYourHappy has also stemmed from.
Some of the well-known performers include King, Raftaar, Usha Uthup, and Jorja Smith. What appeals to fans and artists alike about this lineup?
Tej Brar: At heart, we are a multi-genre music festival that aims to put together a unique blend of homegrown and international talents, ensuring there is something for every attendee. The beauty of this year’s line-up is having somebody like Jorja Smith with a brand new album out this year, who is immensely popular with songs like Teenage Fantasy and Where Did I Go? so we are getting her at the height of her career. India is no longer a stop on the way up or way down of somebody’s career. Instead, we’re now a key destination where global superstars can perform as part of their international tours, promoting their latest projects. Having a legend like Usha Uthup on the lineup is such a privilege for us- her iconic status, captivating stage presence, and timeless talent have made her a beloved artist across generations, and we can’t wait to see her mesmerise the audience. This iconic artist’s inclusion in the lineup is going to be enthralling, especially with her evergreen hits like Hari Om Hari and Darling, not only for fans but for fellow artists as well. I think along with myself, many artists are going to be watching from the wings of the stage to see somebody with such a legendary status performing.
What are you most looking forward to from this year’s edition, which has a diverse range of musicians from pop, hip-hop, and electronic music? Are there going to be any surprises?
Tej Brar: Absolutely, there will be surprises at the festival and the only way to find out what the surprises are, is to attend it in Pune, at Teerth Fields on December 14th-15th. What I am most looking forward to is Jorja Smith’s debut in India, which is long overdue. We’ve been looking forward to hosting her for several years. DJ Craze is probably amongst the greatest DJs and turntablists in the world, having won the DMC world championship thrice. In addition to this, the 15th year of the festival is going to be such an incredible celebration of homegrown talents. With legendary artists like Usha Uthup, an absolute industry pioneer like Amit Trivedi, alongside contemporary artist, King, who serves as a youth icon. And it is especially meaningful to see someone like Raftaar, who played a key role in King’s career sharing the same stage with him. It’s a powerful moment that reflects how far Indian talent has come, and we’re proud to celebrate this incredible journey as part of our 15th-anniversary lineup at NH7 Weekender. One of the festival’s major highlights will be the interactive gaming zones, promising non-stop entertainment with a diverse range of interactive activities and contests that cater to all age groups.
What are some essential elements of the NH7 Weekender experience that you believe appeal to today’s younger generation and festival-goers, given the ongoing evolution of lifestyle trends?
Akshat Rathee: NH7 Weekender is not just a headliner-driven festival, it’s a space for discovery and community connections. It’s a vibrant atmosphere where new connections are formed and festival-goers can relax and recharge with their friends, family and colleagues. We also take pride in being a platform for emerging talent, showcasing the rising power of India and creating experiences that resonate deeply with today’s youth. For many attendees, NH7 Weekender is their first music festival experience. For many artists, it’s where their music journey accelerates.
As lifestyle trends evolve, we’ve adapted by integrating multiple touchpoints of entertainment such as our experience zones with interactive activities, gaming zones and other immersive activities in a way that’s not just fun, but meaningful to audiences and their interest. Gaming has become a central part of youth culture, and we’re excited to offer a dynamic space where fans can unwind, compete, and relax while engaging with the community. In addition to music and gaming, we have a vibrant flea market- a space to explore unique products, and also, a curated food lane offering a diverse range of cuisines that cater to all tastes. All of this comes from NODWIN Gaming’s vision for the future of youth entertainment—offering multiple touchpoints to capture the interest and attention of a diverse young audience.
Our curation reflects current music consumption patterns and interests of today’s younger generation, particularly Gen Z. We’ve focused on creating a seamless, exciting atmosphere with a variety of music genres, experiences, and interactions that align with their evolving interests. But NH7 Weekender is about more than just trends. It’s about providing a space for people to come together and share meaningful experiences—whether it’s young professionals bonding, friends reconnecting, or communities celebrating together. Our goal is to ensure that everyone, whether it’s fans, partners, or artists, has a unique, unforgettable experience. That’s what we’re really passionate about—creating memories and connections that last beyond the weekend.
Varun Koorich: NH7 Weekender is more than just a music festival – it’s a vibe, a space where friendships truly come alive through shared passions for music and culture. The festival helps friends enrich their connections with each other with energetic performances and cool immersive experience zones created by the House of McDowell’s Soda. We welcome people to come together with their friends, celebrate their bonds, and create unexpected memories.
