In the winter of 2010, at the age of 15, I found myself outside the gates of Mahalaxmi Lawns in Pune, eager to catch a glimpse of the NH7 Weekender. Despite being shushed away by guards, a friend and I spent the evening scouting spots where the music could be heard. There’s a cultural lag that comes while living in Pune. Always under the shadow of its bigger sibling, Mumbai, it’s akin to watching a live stream but with a 10-minute lag. You do eventually get to see what you want to see, but with a long delay. In the late 2000s though, things started to change.  

First came Bryan Adams with his live performances in Amanora, Hadapar, Pune. Slowly following him were Enrique Iglesias and Mr. Worldwide himself, Pitbull. But there was still something missing. Pune still needed a cultural identity, something that remains part of the city for the years to come. And then it finally happened, the inaugural NH7 Weekender was announced in Pune. Since then, it has become a badge of honour for the city, one which even the cultural capital of India, Mumbai, doesn’t have. Something which had eluded me from witnessing in person for more than a decade. 

Fourteen years later, I finally crossed that security threshold and stood inside the venue of the 2023 Bacardi NH7 Weekender, this time armed with an official media invite, ready to finally break my Weekender virginity. But the question remained, what exactly does the Weekender offer right now? And am I too late for the party? 

The Context 

Celebrating its 14 years of existence in 2023, you can’t help but compare the journey of the Bacardi NH7 Weekender in human years. What started as a small, pure, and soulful attempt to lift the indie music scene in India quickly grew in the next few years to attract big international names like The Lumineers, Kodaline, Imogen Heap, The Vaccines, Megadeth, and so on. When things were running smoothly, it then went through its awkward stand-up comedian phase, where half the lineup was dominated by something that would resemble a Comicstaan alumni meet. Today, it stands as a teenager, ready to experiment with house, techno, and Instagram reel music, as reflected by its all-new lineup consisting of performers like M.I.A, MEMBA, Jai Wolf, and…Daler Mehndi. 

Now, as someone who has to prepare and then nurse their body for a night out, and who decides to watch something based on Rotten Tomatoes ratings, it’s easy to dismiss it and its rather Gen-Z-centric lineup. There’s truth to it as well. “The evolving tastes of Gen Z listeners are certainly a part of our focus for these initiatives, and we want to make the festival an exciting one for our young attendees,” says Sameeksha Uniyal, Brand Lead at BACARDÍ India. But because it focuses on a younger crowd, why does it have to be bad for Millennials? “Fans come to BACARDÍ NH7 Weekender to get introduced to new music and artists from around the world, and that is woven into the experience of the festival,” further elaborates Uniyal. 

Being There 

Taking her words to heart and after a long cab ride, the NH7 finally came into sight at its new home at Teeth Fields, on the outskirts of Pune. Arriving at the venue, the event feels rather clean, well mapped-out, and easy to navigate. The stages are close enough for a quick walk, yet not so close that the music gets mixed—an impressive testament. On the opposite side of the Casa Bacardi lay the food court and the bar(s). I never had to wait for more than a few minutes to get a drink or grab something to eat on the go. If eating on the grass isn’t your “vibe,” there were tables available as well, again, only a minute’s walk away. 

What was even more interesting, though, was the inclusion of tent-like structures a little way from the stages. As per the organizers, these served as a safe space in case any attendees felt overwhelmed—a thoughtful touch. Now, onto the source of my anxiety—the washroom situation—surprisingly, it was hygienic and, once again, easy to navigate. The entire setup felt more organized than most five-star press conferences I’ve attended. If that isn’t the Weekender organizing team flexing its decade-strong muscles, I don’t know what it is. 

The Vibe Check  

In a rather surprising turn of events, I wasn’t the only one breaking my Weekender virginity here. The entire lineup featured fresh faces, with headliners like M.I.A and MEMBA performing in India for the first time. On paper, this situation might seem odd. However, what worked in its favour was the universal attempt to have a good time, clearly showcased by performances from GURBAX, Nalayak, and others. 

The crowd appeared to be enjoying themselves too. The whole vibe felt warm, welcoming, and inclusive but never overwhelming. You could tell people were having a gall of time, unconcerned about attire or gender roles. To my surprise, families with baby strollers were also in attendance. Perhaps, someone was taking a literal nostalgia trip, I reckoned 

Before the fest, I spoke to a few…ahem, older millennials who attended the scene back in 2012 and fondly remember it as “the whole city of Pune coming alive.” Back then, despite being a cultural capital, Mumbai was starved for places like the Weekender. A four-hour trip down to Pune felt like “a community coming together,” the same person adds. As a testament to that, I’ve been part of many conversations with Mumbai folks who used to casually remark that they would “only come to Pune for the Weekender.” And, it’s true, the Weekender did put Pune on the map. I would’ve never imagined in my wildest dreams Megadeth performing in my backyard. 

Is It Still Worth It? 

My primary concern with this year’s festival was the absence of the usual big names it’s associated with. With events like Lollas and Boiler Rooms bringing in international artists, I asked Uniyal about how they planned to keep up with the competition. Her response was: “We’re pleased to see the growth of festival culture picking up in India in recent years, offering newer festivals and experiences for fans to enjoy. We do not view new festivals as competition, but rather as collaborators in developing India’s music festival culture.” 

Now, that might seem like a cop-out, but it isn’t when you consider the cost of attending the whole event. It’s perhaps worth about half a Lola ticket. A friend who joined me on the second day paid Rs 1,999 for a day’s pass, which, considering what was on offer, is a great deal, to be fair. For the same amount (or more) you might probably only be able to buy two drinks and a starter at any random bar in Pune, that might be playing the same music. Instead of that, why not just watch the performances live?