MUMBAI: Recent events may have left a string of empty nightspots in their wake, but they haven't managed to dampen the spirits of true sun-worshippers. Last night's Sunburn Release Party at Poison saw a packed house of eager partygoers release pent-up energy on the dance floor until way past all bedtimes and witching hours.
Initially guests trickled in, the more shy of them choosing to stay stuck to the bar, the more camera-happy ones bathing in photographers' flashbulbs outside. But none of them could resist the thumping, melodic beats of everyone's favourite DJ Pearl for very long, and with the encouragement of emcee and Sunburn host Nikhil Chinapa – along with an energetic, over-the-top pirate promoting spiced rum drinks – the crowd was soon grooving and jostling for space on the dance floor.
Among the crowd were spotted DJ Aqueel, designer Rocky S., bolly babe Anjala Zaveri, models Mugdha Godse, Binal Trivedi and Candice Pinto, actor-models Nisha Harale & Adam Bedi, actors Ronit Roy and Sudhanshu Pandey, tycoon Ashish Raheja, cricketer-turned-actor Angad Bedi, entrepreneur Raja Dhody and plenty of foreign models as well.
The night continued long and hard with music by beatmeisters Jalabee Cartel and Karan Third Eye..., all of whom, along with Pearl and many other Indian and international electronic biggies, will be playing at the upcoming Sunburn music festival in Goa. In its second annual incarnation, Sunburn, billed as Asia's biggest music festival..., is presented by Percept D'Mark in association with Nikhil Chinapa, and takes place from December 27-29 on Candolim Beach in Goa. Amidst public doubt as to whether the festival will still take place after the Mumbai attacks, festival organizers have clearly stated that Sunburn will go ahead as planned, with the full backing of the Goa government, Goa police and strong support from all the artists slated to play at the festival. There will be heightened security at Sunburn this year, including a three-ringed armed security apparatus, to ensure the safety and security of all festival-goers.
If last night was just a taste of what's to come, dance music lovers should be scrambling to get to Goa at the end of this month. With over 35 artists (headliners include hard hitter Eddie Halliwell, psy-trance gurus GMS, death defying John �00' Fleming & Digital Blonde, Richard Durand, Pearl, Roger Shah a.k.a. Sunlounger, Midival Punditz, Jalabee Cartel, Norman Doray, Shiva Sound System and ATFC, with special participation by the giant house music label Defected) playing from 12 noon onwards across 4 stages over 3 days with 7 bars and killer after-parties to boot, this is one festival you don't want to miss.
For those who missed out on last night's music mayhem but still want a Sunburn sample, there is another Sunburn release party scheduled on Thursday December 18 at the Blue Frog club in Lower Parel.