Music works as a balm to heal wounds, as a means of bringing people together and to many, it has become a way of life. Watching music videos on YouTube and having thousands of songs on your playlist is all very fine. But there's nothing that compares to experiencing your favorite songs and bands in an immersive setting that caters to all your aural needs. The thrill and energy of live performances at music festivals makes for an unforgettable head rush. With the spurt in music festivals in India in recent years, organisers have started coming up with quirky and interesting ways to spice up the festival experience. Being part of the music scene for the last 5 years and having performed in all kinds of unique locations and funky stages, I can tell you one thing: if music runs in your veins, you need to absolutely visit these fabulous music festivals across India:

1. Ziro Festival - Ziro, Arunachal Pradesh

Going to Ziro village in Arunachal Pradesh was an adventure in itself, with crazy roads and almost no connectivity lending the place an otherworldly feel. Here, music lovers can enjoy gigs by performers from all over the country in one of the most stunning and overwhelmingly beautiful locations in India. It was also one of the best gigs that I have ever played. The people are warm and so are the nightly bonfires.

2. Hornbill Festival - Kohima, Nagaland

This festival is a combination of music, art, dance and culture culminating in a magnificent rock contest between bands from all over the country. Kohima, Nagaland, has a Government-sponsored music task force which supports music learning in school really sorted me out with whatever i needed, apart from making me feel at home. I definitely got a Woodstock/Burning Man vibe from the place, with ample availability of rice beer and the presence of all kinds of hippies, bikers and other funky characters.