INAUGURAL GOAT FESTIVAL RECRUITS GILLES PETERSON AND MORE

The inaugural GOAT Festival lands in Goa, western India this January, keeping the hippie spirit alive with an eclectic line-up of house, jazz and world music.

From Friday 27th to Sunday 29th January, the event will take over Ashvem Beach, a peaceful hideaway tucked behind two acres of palm jungle and sand dunes.

Brownswood boss and world music aficionado Gilles Peterson tops the bill, joined by composer and percussionist Sarathy Korwar, Cape Town rapper Dope Saint Jude, electro-soul outfit Sorceress, jazz duo Yussef Kamaal, Marquis Hawkes, Henry Wu and Secretsundaze’s James Priestley.

Meanwhile, Indian talent comes in the form of Aqua Dominatrix and genre-crossing electronica, the live post-dubstep of Mumbai’s Sandunes, Madboy/Mink’s dirty disco and more.

“We wanted to introduce the Indian crowd to music they don’t normally hear live, and equally offer the best alternative Indian sounds to the folk coming from overseas,” founder, Dave Gaydon, tells DJ Mag. “We have been working with some brilliant Indian promoters and programmers to ensure we have the most cutting edge Indian talent fully represented at the festival.”

Of course, no festival nowadays is complete without a heap of extra activities, and with Goa’s rich cultural heritage to tap into, GOAT’s offerings do not disappoint. Making the most of the beachfront locale, the event will offer surfing, kayaking, wakeboarding and more, while back on dry land, there’ll be yoga, horse riding, art and dance workshops and charitable volunteer options.

“We are combining an incredible music and arts offering new to the region, set within a breathtaking landscape brimming with natural beauty, guaranteeing a once in a lifetime experience,” says Dave.

For more info and tickets to GOAT, head here.