Tag: music tourism

Travel

Siddhant Chaturvedi Invites Fans to Experience Mumbai Like a Local with Airbnb

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Travel Desk

As live music increasingly shapes how India’s Gen Z travels, Airbnb is bringing fans closer to the culture they love through an exclusive collaboration with actor, musician, and cultural voice Siddhant Chaturvedi. Announced on January 14, 2026, the partnership introduces “Lolla India Like a Local,” an Airbnb Original Experience designed to offer guests an intimate, once-in-a-lifetime way to explore Mumbai before ending the day at Lollapalooza India 2026.

The experience reflects a growing trend, with a significant number of young travellers planning trips around concerts and festivals. Rooted in the city that shaped Siddhant, the experience takes guests through Mumbai’s neighbourhoods, food, music, and creative spaces—bringing to life the everyday moments that define local travel. The day culminates at Lollapalooza India, where guests experience the festival alongside Siddhant himself.

Central to the collaboration is The Mumbai Guidebook, a digital city guide curated by Siddhant Chaturvedi exclusively for Airbnb. Featuring his handpicked neighbourhoods, local hangouts, and a selection of Airbnb stays that capture the spirit of the city, the guidebook is designed to help travellers extend their festival trip and experience Mumbai beyond the stage.

Limited to just four guests, the experience transforms recommendations into shared memories. Guests begin the day with a meal at one of Siddhant’s favourite local food joints, followed by a curated heritage walk through Bandra’s historic Ranwar Village with architect Nikhil Mahashur. The journey continues with an intimate jam session where Siddhant performs an original track inspired by the city, before heading to Lollapalooza India together to soak in the music and energy of a live performance.

Sharing his thoughts on the collaboration, Siddhant Chaturvedi said that Mumbai has shaped every aspect of who he is, from his music to the places he returns to. Curating the guidebook and hosting the experience was his way of welcoming guests into his version of the city and sharing the sounds, neighbourhoods, and everyday moments that make Mumbai special.

The initiative builds on Airbnb’s first-ever global live music partnership at Lollapalooza India 2026, which includes a range of exclusive festival-related experiences designed to bring fans closer to the music and culture they love. Airbnb India and Southeast Asia Country Head Amanpreet Bajaj noted that while live music often sparks travel, it is local connections and authentic experiences that make journeys memorable.

Requests to book the four-hour experience will open at 11 AM IST on January 19, 2026, via airbnb.com/siddhant. The experience is priced at ₹0, available to a maximum of four guests on a first-come, first-served basis, with guests responsible for their own travel to and from Mumbai.

Travel

Music-Led Travel Is Reshaping How Gen Z Explores India, Airbnb Insights Reveal

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Travel Desk

Music is fast becoming a defining force behind how India’s Gen Z travels, with live concerts and festivals now shaping not just where young people go, but how they experience destinations. According to Airbnb’s Experience-Led Travel Insights, nearly 62 percent of Gen Z travelers in India plan to travel specifically for concerts and music festivals in 2026, signalling a significant shift in travel motivation.

Live events are also influencing first-time visits to cities. An overwhelming 76 percent of Gen Z respondents said they had travelled to a city for the first time because of a concert or festival, turning music into a gateway for discovery. For many, the journey extends well beyond the event itself. While 65 percent prefer accommodation close to concert venues, more than half use the opportunity to explore local cafés, nightlife spots, and surrounding neighbourhoods, contributing directly to local economies.

Group travel plays a central role in this trend. Around 70 percent of Gen Z concert-goers attend live events with friends, reinforcing the social nature of music-led travel. These trips are carefully planned lifestyle choices rather than impulsive getaways. Nearly six in ten Gen Z travelers are willing to spend between 21 and 40 percent of their monthly income on event-led travel, with the average spend per journey estimated at ₹51,000. The appetite for global experiences is also growing, with over 40 percent open to travelling internationally for live music events.

Commenting on this shift, Amanpreet Singh Bajaj, Country Head, Airbnb India and Southeast Asia, noted that the rising interest in concerts and festivals has given rise to a new kind of traveler—one who views music as a lens through which to discover destinations. He highlighted how concert tourism is opening up neighbourhoods and communities to young travelers, creating meaningful local impact while driving demand for group-friendly stays that encourage shared experiences.

Reflecting this momentum, Airbnb has entered its first-ever global live music partnership by collaborating with Lollapalooza India. As part of the association, the platform will offer fans unique stays and experiences during the 2026 edition of the festival, scheduled to take place in Mumbai on January 24 and 25. The partnership underscores how deeply music and travel are now intertwined for Gen Z, marking a cultural shift where playlists, passports, and purpose increasingly move in sync.

Music

Echoes of Earth 2025: Where Music, Nature & New Voices Converge

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Echoes of Earth returns with a new edition that once again positions Bengaluru at the heart of India’s eco-conscious music movement. Over the years, the festival has evolved into a vibrant platform for indie, fusion, and experimental artists — a cultural space where bold ideas thrive in harmony with nature. With thoughtfully designed stages, art installations made from upcycled materials, and an audience that deeply values sustainability, the festival is not just an event but an experience rooted in creativity and environmental awareness.

This year continues that spirit. As music lovers prepare for the weekend, the lineup reflects a beautiful mix of fresh talent, seasoned performers, and globally acclaimed artists. Audiences also get a chance to win festival passes by scanning the QR code and testing their Echoes knowledge — a fun way to connect more people with the energy of the festival.

For Sahib from the Carnatic-jazz fusion band Jatayu, performing at Echoes of Earth is more than just a gig — it’s the fulfilment of a long-held dream. He has admired the festival for its curation and for the space it provides musicians who explore new sounds. To him, true experimentation comes from staying original, and Echoes stands out as a platform that celebrates that authenticity.

For musician and composer Varijashree Venugopal, being part of the festival feels like returning to a familiar creative home. She describes Echoes as a uniquely conceptualised celebration of art and nature — a space where the beauty of the environment and the depth of musical expression come together seamlessly. With a specially curated set for this edition, she reflects on how experimentation has always been deeply rooted in Indian tradition, shaped through ideas refined over centuries. Festivals like Echoes, she feels, keep that spirit alive by giving artists the freedom to explore new languages of expression.

Derek Mathias of Derek & The Cats echoes this sentiment. Calling Echoes one of the best music festivals in the country, he highlights how its sustainability-driven outlook, impeccable organisation, and carefully crafted lineup create an unforgettable experience. Even when he doesn’t know all the artists, he discovers new acts every time — a reminder of what festivals are truly meant to offer.

For Harshita, widely known by her stage name Sage, Echoes of Earth is woven into her memories with friends. After attending the festival for five consecutive years, she now returns in a new role — this time standing on the stage as an artist. She feels deeply connected to the festival’s intentional culture, its sustainable installations, and the sense of community that has grown around it.

Beyond its Indian talent, Echoes of Earth brings an exciting global lineup to Bengaluru. LA-based musician and activist Madame Gandhi arrives with her signature blend of electronic music, catchy percussive elements, and empowering narratives on freedom and femininity. British producer Aroop Roy brings a warm, groovy mix of Afro, Latin, and soulful house that audiences around the world have come to love. German multi-instrumentalist Monolink returns with his atmospheric vocals and hypnotic blend of deep house and live instrumentation. International duo Bedouin adds a spiritual, desert-inspired electronic sound that beautifully complements the festival’s immersive open-air experience.

As Echoes continues to champion sustainability, celebrate art, and create a space where music and nature coexist, this year’s edition promises to be a memorable blend of discovery, creativity, and connection. It is a festival where every stage tells a story, every performance sparks imagination, and every visitor becomes part of a community that honours the planet while celebrating the power of sound.

#AllycaralFeature 👒

After 18 Years in Goa, Sunburn Festival Moves to Mumbai in 2025 for a ‘Beyond Reality’ Experience

Tanisha Cardozo

Mumbai | August 2025: In a massive cultural shift, Sunburn Festival, Asia’s biggest electronic dance music (EDM) event, is officially relocating from Goa to Mumbai for its 2025 edition. The announcement has sent waves through the music and travel communities, as the festival prepares to enter a new era in the heart of India’s financial capital.

The festival will be held from December 19 to 21, 2025, with venue details expected soon. Tickets will go live on BookMyShow from August 14, while RuPay Credit Card holders will receive early access starting August 12 at 12 noon.

“Beyond Reality” – A New Vision for Sunburn

In a social media announcement, the organisers said:

“This December, Sunburn invites you into a world BEYOND REALITY – a festival shaped by light, colour, and rhythm.”

They added that Mumbai would now become the home of Sunburn for the first time ever, promising an experience that is “larger in scale, elevated in experience, and alive with infinite possibilities.”

Goodbye, Goa

Since its inception in 2007, Sunburn has been synonymous with Goa, drawing millions of music lovers to its beaches and serving as a hub for international DJs like David Guetta, Martin Garrix, and DJ Snake. While Sunburn has hosted smaller events in Mumbai before, this marks the first full venue shift in nearly two decades.

The move is significant, as it means Goa loses one of its biggest annual tourism and cultural events. Many fans have expressed mixed emotions online—mourning the end of the iconic Goa backdrop while also embracing the energy that Mumbai promises to bring.

Social Media Reactions Pour In

DJ Sartek wrote,

“Goa wasn’t just a venue, it was a feeling—the breeze, the sand, the stories. Walking away from that is emotional. Mumbai, you’ve opened a new chapter.”

DJ Teri Miko responded with enthusiasm:

“Finally!!!!! Awesome news.”

Another fan added,

“Would love to travel to Mumbai instead of Goa. Well done, Sunburn.”

Some expressed relief at the shift, citing negative experiences in Goa:

“Great move, Sunburn. The Goa experience was very bitter. Congratulations for the new venue in Mumbai.”

Mumbai: India’s New Festival Capital?

With Lollapalooza already established in Mumbai, the addition of Sunburn Festival further cements the city’s place as India’s cultural and live music epicentre.

Organizers have hinted that Goa still holds sentimental value, but for now, the buzz is all about Mumbai—and the promise of a revamped, futuristic edition of Sunburn.