As the final melodies dissolved into the cool night air and the luminous installations nestled within the forest began to dim, Bengaluru was left with a profound sense of calm. Echoes of Earth 2025, the city's premier eco-conscious music festival, concluded not just as a musical event, but as a powerful experience that encouraged attendees to slow down and connect with a larger purpose.
A Visual Spectacle Rooted in Nature
For stallholder Neeti Mahesh, the festival's visual artistry was immediately striking. She described the venue as a breathtaking playground seamlessly integrated with nature. The artistic installations, particularly the stages, were a major highlight. The Octopus stage was her favourite, captivating crowds even during silent intervals. Meanwhile, the dramatic Spider stage and the highly popular Vulture stage, which seemed to draw constant streams of visitors, added to the enchanting atmosphere.
A Diverse Sonic Journey for All Ages
The festival's musical offerings were remarkably eclectic, bridging genres and generations. From the classical strains of Carnatic music—a noted addition this year according to Neeti—to jazz-infused fusion, pulsating techno, and experimental electronic sets, the palette was vast. The event proudly retained its local cultural roots, opening traditionally with the dynamic Dolu Kunitha performance at the gates, followed by the vibrant Mangalorean tiger dance, a ritual now deeply cherished by regular attendees.
Echoes of Earth also solidified its reputation as a truly family-friendly destination. Children were actively engaged, exploring art installations, joining workshops, and collecting seed pods. With curated activities like painting, pottery, and immersive learning zones, the festival ensured meaningful participation for its youngest guests.
Sustainability: The Beating Heart of the Festival
For Akshay Gupta, a six-time veteran of the festival, the unwavering commitment to sustainability remains its defining pillar. He highlighted how stages are constructed from recycled metal and installations are creatively repurposed, all set within a lush, jungle-like environment far removed from typical concrete venues. First-time attendee, actor Samyukta Hornad, was equally impressed by the practical eco-initiatives. She praised the effective reusable cup system and the overall minimal-waste approach, noting that such measures subtly guide people toward environmentally responsible behavior, which is crucial for long-term impact.
More Than Music: A Grounding Detox Experience
For Samyukta Hornad, the festival offered an experience that transcended music. She described it as an absolute digital detox and a healing escape, thanks to the limited network connectivity that helped attendees disconnect from the outside world. She recalled emotionally charged moments, like during Monolink's performance, where a sea of phone flashlights illuminated the crowd singing in unison. The festival provided a unique blend of energetic chaos at the stages and serene calm in quiet corners under lit banyan trees. So profound was the experience that it reshaped her musical tastes, leading her to discover and embrace a wealth of new artists.
Ultimately, Echoes of Earth 2025 succeeded in its mission to create a temporary world where art, environmental consciousness, innovative sound, and community spirit converged, leaving Bengaluru with memories of beauty and a renewed sense of collective responsibility.
