Mahindra Blues Festival

Mahindra Blues Festival (MBF) is an annual blues music festival that happens in February at Mehboob Studios, Bandra, Mumbai. Living legends of the genre who have performed here at this festival over the past years include Buddy Guy, Walter Trout, and John Mayall.

Mahindra Blues Festival
StatusActive
GenreMusic Festival
VenueMehboob Studios
Location(s)Bandra, Mumbai
CountryIndia
Inaugurated2011
Most recent2020
Organized byMahindra Group
Websitewww.mahindrablues.com

History

Spearheaded by Anand Mahindra, Vice-Chairman and Managing Director of the Mahindra Group, with VG Jairaman, the co-founder of Oranjuice Entertainment serving as festival director, the inaugural edition of the Mahindra Blues festival took place on 5-6 February 2011, at Mumbai's Mehboob Studios.[1][2] This first edition of the festival was headlined by Chicago Blues legend Buddy Guy who is reported to have pledged his support to the endeavor without hesitation.[2] At the culmination of his two-hour-long set, he invited the other musicians who had performed across the two days to join him on stage for an impromptu jam.[3] Since then, the festival is closed each year with an all-star jam featuring that year's headlining artists.[2]

Although the festival has attracted a number of prominent blues musicians and legends over the years, Buddy Guy remains an integral part of the festival. He has headlined several editions of the festival, including its 10th anniversary in 2020.[4] One of the festival venue's three stages has also been named the "Polka Dot Parlour" in honor of the musician's iconic polka dotted guitar and shirts.[5]

Apart from the international musicians who grace the stage each year, local stalwarts including Blackstratblues and Soulmate are regular features on the lineup.[6]

In 2015, for its fifth edition, the Mahindra Blues Festival inaugurated a new tradition - the Mahindra Blues Band Hunt. This annual competition recognizes local talent. The winners of the Band Hunt are given the opportunity to perform at the Garden Stage between the headlining sets in that year's edition of the festival.[6]

In 2020, for the festival's 10th anniversary, Oranjuice Entertainment teamed up with the Indian NGO Nanhi Kali for their "Blues in Schools initiative. The Mahindra Blues team taught school girls from underprivileged backgrounds how to play the harmonica. 11 of these students were chosen to perform at the festival at the Garden Stage.[7]

Performers over the years at MBF
YearInternational artistesHomegrown artistes Band Hunt Winner
2020[8][9]
  • The Homegrown Blues Collective
 Quiet Storm
2019[10] Blue Temptation
2018[11] Arinjoy Trio
2017[12][13][14] BLU
2016[15][16]
  • Soulmate
 Lal and the People
2015[6]
  • Blackstratblues
 Aayushi Karnik
2014[17][18] -
2013[19]
  • Big Band Blues
  • Soulmate
 -
2012[20]
  • Soulmate
  • Blackstratblues
  • Overdrive Trio
 -
2011[21]
  • Soulmate
  • Saturday Night Blues Band
  • The Luke Kenny Mojo Jukebox
 -

Official website

References
  1. "Buddy Guy to Headline Mahindra Blues Fest". Rolling Stone India. 24 January 2011. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  2. Jan 24, Ayesha Venkataraman | TNN |; 2016; Ist, 10:14. "The meteoric journey of the Mahindra Blues fest | Mumbai News - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 2020-05-18.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  3. Balakrishnan, Ravi (2011-02-08). "Buddy Guy at Mahindra Blues Festival: Straight from buzz heaven". The Economic Times. Retrieved 2020-05-18.
  4. "Buddy Guy, Keb' Mo' Set To Perform At the 10th Edition of the Mahindra Blues Festival". Rolling Stone India. 3 December 2019. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  5. "10 Years of Mahindra Blues". Musicplus. 2020-02-10. Retrieved 2020-05-18.
  6. "Mahindra Blues Festival Announces Band Hunt". January 16, 2015.
  7. "Nanhi Kalis play their happy tune at the Mahindra Blues Festival". Nanhi Kali. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  8. Gupta, Nidhi (January 16, 2020). "Buddy Guy will headline the Mahindra Blues Festival for a fifth time".
  9. Vatsalya, P (February 2, 2020). "And, It Was All Blues". Mid Day.
  10. "The Mahindra Blues Festival 2019 lineup". Event Traveler. December 17, 2018.
  11. Sampat, Sunil (February 21, 2018). "Festival Review: Mahindra Blues Festival, Mumbai". Rolling Stone.
  12. Tamboowalla, Ayesha (December 13, 2016). "The blues are back in India with the Mahindra Blue Festival". Festival Sherpa.
  13. "Here's Why You Must Attend Mahindra Blues Festival 2017 This Weekend". Curly Tales.
  14. Sampat, Sunil (February 11, 2017). "Mahindra Blues Festival 2017: With a stellar line-up, lively entertainment's guaranteed". First Post.
  15. Venkataraman, Ayesha (January 24, 2016). "The meteoric journey of the Mahindra Blues Fest". Times of India.
  16. "Mahindra Blues Fest 2016". Rolling Stone India. 22 December 2015. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  17. Ancheri, Saumya (February 1, 2014). "Lounge Preview, The Mahindra Blues Festival, Mumbai". Live Mint.
  18. "The Mahindra Blues Festival is back". Indian Television. January 14, 2014.
  19. "The Mahindra Blues Festival 2013". Economic Times. February 19, 2013.
  20. "Buddy Guy, Taj Mahal Trio Confirm Dates For Mahindra Blues Festival 2012". Rolling Stone. December 21, 2011.
  21. "Buddy Guy to Headline Mahindra Blues Fest". Rolling Stone. January 24, 2011.
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