India’s first women-only music festival, Sonic Tigress, lands in Bangalore
The event on March 29 “isn’t about inclusion; it’s about owning the stage”
Bangalore will host Sonic Tigress on March 29, India’s first women-focused music festival where all performers, staff and attendees will be women.
The event aims to create a space for women to perform, connect, and celebrate music in a safe and empowering environment.
The festival is the brainchild of media entrepreneur Darshan M, who wanted to address gender imbalance in the music industry.
“Women are still fighting for opportunities. So the whole thought behind this festival is not to give women a seat at someone else’s table, but to build a full table just for them. Sonic Tigress isn’t about inclusion; it’s about owning the stage,” he says.
Read this next: Daytimers announce four-week residency at Jazz Cafe in April
The line-up will showcase a diverse mix of female artists, including Bollywood playback singer Nikhita Gandhi, who has been announced as both a performer and the festival’s goodwill ambassador.
Still in its announcement phase, the festival has also revealed names from different fields like comedian Aditi Mittal, hip hop collective Wild Wild Women, and composer Niveditha Ode Linda, with more yet to be revealed.
Read this next: The women who've shaped electronic music
Beyond live performances, Sonic Tigress will include interactive installations, boutique brand showcases, and immersive experiences.
The Sonic Tigress manifesto emphasises creating an all-women space with no exceptions, ensuring safety, freedom, and economic empowerment for women in the music industry.
It aims to set a new standard for women-led entertainment, proving that women-run events can be mainstream and commercially successful.
“Artists have been very accommodating of our idea and intention,” Darshan emphasises. “Additionally, we will make sure all the support staff, ushers, hosts, and even security guards are all women. We have also requested the police to provide women constables,” he adds.
Keep updated with Sonic Tigress by following it on Instagram here.
Amira Waworuntu is Mixmag Asia’s Managing Editor, follow her on Instagram.
Cut through the noise—sign up for our weekly Scene Report or follow us on Instagram to get the latest from Asia and the Asian diaspora!
