It’s the usual stuff happening all over again. So this year too, and this happened a few days ago, Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar ‘strongly’ voiced his opinion against having two Electronic Dance Music (EDM) festivals simultaneously and against having them in the last week of December. Speaking to the mediapersons, Parulekar said, “We are seriously thinking not to allow mega events like EDM festivals between December 15 and January 15 every year as the state witnesses rush of tourists during that time who arrive here to usher in the New Year.” The minister was referring to the two EDM festivals – Sunburn and VH1 Supersonic that are held annually in Goa in the last week of December. The state police had earlier objected to these events pointing out that it creates pressure on the law and order machinery.
Parulekar further said that the state-level permission panel expressed reservations on allowing the music festivals during the peak season and that the government is of the view that it is not possible to allow two EDM festivals at the same time from the security point of view. Stating that both the organisers have already moved an application seeking permission to host the festival this year, Parulekar did not fail to suggest a solution to the issue. He said, “The panel has asked them to submit their proposed dates for holding the event. We have also conveyed the organisers to consider holding the events before December 15 or post January 15 to reduce further pressure on the state machinery.”
It is important to note that this is certainly not the first time that something like this is happening. If one has to go by the experience of last two years, issues like those above are raised with a month or two prior to December, only to allow both the EDM festivals happen as planned, on the same dates (December 27-30), in their respective venues of Vagator and Candolim.
Nikhil Chinapa has been managing the responsibilities of being the Festival Director of VH1 Supersonic from its inception. When Café tried to get in touch with Chinapa, in a bid to present the side of the EDM organisers, he said, “I’m sure the honourable minister has good reasons for his comments as he will have accurate information of the ground reality in Goa. Over the years, I have personally had nothing but support from the Goa administration for all the activities I have been a part of.” Speaking about the dates, Chinapa who has been really active in the EDM scene for the past 15 years in Goa, added, “We’ve noticed over the years that Goa is generally extremely busy in the last week of December and that is also why most Goan nightclubs and other music venues focus their main events for tourists during this time.”
To ensure smooth functioning and perhaps to ensure better connect with the local audience, the organisers of EDM festivals rope in local talent every year and many local boys dabble in various departments of management or plain as an artist with either of the EDM festivals. One of the most popular names from the nightlife scene in Goa, Mackenzie Eudes Pereira hosted the first two years of VH1 Supersonic and bettered his role last year by performing as a DJ too. When contacted for his thoughts on the issue, Mackie, as he is popularly known, said, “(referring to Parulekar) He has been saying this from the time he has taken charge. Why should we start believing him now?” When asked about what makes it so lucrative for the organisers to have EDM festivals in the last week of December, and whether they can achieve similar results by having them on other dates, Mackie nods in disagreement. He says, “If the festivals are moved from that date, I don’t think those many tourists would show up anymore!”
When contacted the organisers of Sunburn Goa for their comments on the topic, Karan Singh, CEO, said, “There’s a good chance that a part of this so called December-end rush is due to Sunburn. It’s entirely upto the government of Goa to decide whether they want Sunburn in December 2016 or not. We want to do it, and have applied for permission through our local partners and have been trying everything we can, to try get a ‘yes’. We haven’t heard anything from the government. All we hear and read are reports in the media quoting different individuals. It would be a lot easier if the same people talk to us rather than make announcements… can’t understand the goal here.”
The makers of Sunburn Goa also seem to be pretty headstrong about having the festival on the same dates, that is, December 27-30. Singh further added, “Sunburn December dates are frozen and won’t change. We will change the place if not allowed in Goa.”
The issue here seems to be not having EDM festivals in Goa, but their timing, which according to the state authorities makes things challenging to manage. It’d be interesting to see what transpires next – does the Goa government bow down and allow the functioning of the festivals as planned by the organisers, or the EDM festival organisers surprise the fans by revised dates (and / or perhaps venue, too!).
