Highlights of Magnetic Fields 2022 was a sensorial delight

Magnetic Fields has come to be globally respected for its confluence of art, music, wellness and community, and represents an India that is embracing of its past, and future-facing in its outlook.

The flagbearer for future-facing sounds from India and around the world, the December 9-11 festival served up a wide range of music – from some of the world’s most exciting and respected selectors and producers like Four Tet, Ben UFO, Saoirse, Batu, DJ Masda, Chloé Robinson, Anthony Naples, Pangaea, Young Marco and Onra to festival commissions like Fieldlines – The Forgotten Songs Collective ft Vinayakâ and Biate and exclusive premieres like live transmedia show Elsewhere in India ft Murthovic and Thiruda.

Returning to the village of Alsisar after nearly three years, the eighth edition of Magnetic Fields offered more than just music for the more than 5,000 attendees that made the journey to Rajasthan.

Magnetic Words, a collaboration with art and culture magazine Platform saw attendees interact and engage with poets, photographers and social activists whereas the wellness space Magnetic Sanctuary – curated by transformational and wellness experiences platform LifePlugin – proved to be exceptionally popular with Fielders as did the VR showcase by MUTEK and interactive and immersive installations spread across the desert and palace.

The newly christened Jameson Connects South Stage and BUDx North Stage saw some exceptional performances. The South Stage played host to a bunch of live acts, like Delhi-based musician JAY PEI’s ensemble live show, Interlude that featured drummer Tarun Balani, singer-songwriter roradoll, producer Sijya, guitarist Shivash Chagti and saxophonist Camillo Barrios; live modular act Sapta and rousing performances by Mali musician Vieux Farka Toure, German duo of Grandbrothers and Austrian electronica act HVOB.

The night stage hosted showcases – exclusive to Magnetic Fields – by the Hessle Audio founders Ben UFO, Pangaea and Pearson Sound, Four Tet & Friends featuring Four Tet, Anthony Naples, Chloé Robinson and Hamza Rahimtulla, and the first-ever female DJ to close the stage, Saoirse.

BUDxYARD was always high on energy, despite low temperatures through the weekend, and saw energetic sets by Indian acts like Dreamstates, Prismer, Anushka alongside demonstrations of dancefloor virtuosity by DJs like Batu, DJ’J and DJ Masda.  

The velvet draped, opulent-looking Peacock Club was the scene for three special showcases through the weekend with a spotlight on ambient, noise and leftfield artists from Social Isolation on Friday; Saturday night saw another label showcase, this time the Export Quality roster of artists taking centre stage while Paradise at The Peacock Club featuring Young Marco and Dragalatiq on Sunday night saw attendees queuing up for an hour to get in. 

The festival also saw stand out sets at the secret after parties – a large part of the appeal of Magnetic Fields – from DJ Fart in the Club at the Ray-Ban Afterparty on Friday night and a spirited B2B by Kohra and Sunju Hargun at the Resident Advisor showcase on Saturday night. The biggest applause was saved for the Sunday night closing sets – two B2B sets featuring Jossy Mitsu and Batu, and festival favourites Four Tet and Ben UFO at the Ray-Ban Desert Oasis in the desert.

The festival, as always, was a sensorial delight: there were stargazing sessions on the palace rooftop, folk music performances in the, stunning interactive installations, a treasure hunt that saw 71 teams participate  and festival food that included a variety of festival-friendly options like pizzas, paranthas and kebabs alongside gluten-free and vegan food and freshly roasted and brewed coffee.