Sunburn, considered as one of the biggest EDM festivals in Asia, appears to be making waves months before the event is even scheduled to begin.
Organisers of the glamorous music festival, which has been annually held in Goa for nine years running, are now upping the ante, even hinting at moving the event from the coastal State to other venues, if the dates which the organisers have scheduled the event on, are not okayed by the BJP-led coalition Government in Goa.
While the Goa Government has barred popular music festivals from being held in the State during the exceptionally busy Christmas-New Year week this year, Sunburn organisers insist that they will not change the dates of the event, while also adding that scouting of alternative venues is also an option for now.
“Since a massive festival like Sunburn takes months of preparations, we are reviewing all our viable venue options while Goa has always been home and will always be our first choice and we continue to do all we can to make Goa happen,” Karan Singh, chief executive officer of Sunburn has said.
last month, Goa’s Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar had said that the State Government had taken a decision to disallow music festivals, which attracts hundreds of thousands of music lovers to the state, from being held during the festive week, when the state is already thronging with tourists.
“At that time so many tourists are in Goa to celebrate New Year or Christmas. We do not want these EDM events at that time. It should be organised before or after that period,” Parulekar had said.
The State, he said attracted more than four million tourists every year, many of them during the festive week and the hosting of such popular music events put a lot of strain on the state’s infrastructure as well as the security apparatus.
“We want every one to be safe while they are enjoying in Goa,” Parulekar told The Pioneer.
Sunburn organisers however insists that the event adds to the benefits accrued by the host state and that they were open to relocating to other venues, if Goa did not work out.
“Sunburn has not only considerably contributed to the Goa’s economy, but has also put India and particularly Goa on the world map as a mecca for dance music enthusiasts. The festival has also helped provide local employment and boost resident businesses,” a statement issued by Sunburn said.
“Sunburn officials are currently in talks with the Goa Government and a conclusion on the same is expected soon. While other venue options are being evaluated to give fans a grand experience for Sunburn 10, there wouldn’t be a change in the dates. The festival organisers have urged fans to be patient and have assured the wait will be well worth it,” the statement further said.