The GOAT Festival is a three-day immersive music and arts festival that will be held
at Ashwem Beach, Goa. This year is the second edition of the festival, taking
place in the most scenic of settings under a canopy of palm trees, with a
perfect view of the sea. To be held from January 26 to 28, 2018, GOAT will
curate future-forward sounds from India and around the world, alongside
performing arts, theatre and spoken word.
The GOAT Festival is presented by GOAT Music, a London-based
music and events agency. Former RoundHouse head of music, Dave Gaydon and Lou
Birkett are the creators of the agency.
“After leaving The Roundhouse in the summer of 2015, never would
we have imagined to be able to present our own festival in Britain, let alone
in India. The reception has been so encouraging too. We are very grateful to be
working in such a progressive and creative landscape,” says Gaydon, CEO, GOAT
Music.
Last year, GOAT Festival had a successful first edition, living
up to its promises and giving visitors an intricate experience. What’s more,
the festival introduced avid fans to new sounds like the Afrobeat stylings of
Afroquoi and Eastern European and the Eastern melodies of the Turbans. They
even got a chance to experience celebrated DJs and some really exciting acts.
“I was delighted to have worked with GOAT music on this exciting
venture in this beautiful territory. The music programme is a cross-fusion of
cultures and sounds, including some artistes that I have had the great pleasure
of working with before, says Gilles Peterson, who was the festival’s artiste
ambassador, while describing its launch edition.
This year, the impressive artiste line up includes Solo X,
Moxie, The 2 Bears, Mafalda, Zokhuma, Agent, Bobby Pleasure, Byday Bynight,
Fallout, The Fish, Funkwise, Itchy Rich, JO Hopkins, Jukes of Hazard,
Kaleekarma, Kristy Harper, The London Disco Society, Lucid Stannard, Mmat,
Sickflip, Snad, Spacejams and Swadesi.
Also part of the festival are industry bigwigs such as Joseph
“Amp” Fiddler, an American keyboardist, sound designer, singer, songwriter and
record producer; Tiga James Sontag, a Canadian musician, DJ and record producer
of electronic dance music; UK’s finest disco operators, Horse Meat Disco, and
the award winning drummer, composer, producer Moses Boyd.
A major highlight will be the multifaceted musician Joe Goddard,
who is one of the most prolific and well-respected indie/electronic artists in
the UK. He’s a leading member of indie/soul/ dance group Hot Chip, half of
fun-loving house duo 2 Bears, head of his own forward-thinking label, Greco
Roman, and a successful solo producer/remix artist in his own right.
There
will be well-being workshops and yoga sessions available through the day,
alongside on-site spa therapies. There will be a chance to interact with
like-minded people through dance and art workshops, storytelling and pop-up
restaurants. For those with an adventurous streak, watersports such as surfing
and paddle boarding will be an attractive option.
