Imagine being in the lush green environs of Gulmarg; the first things that come to mind are serenity and beauty. When we think about Gulmarg, we don't immediately associate it with a music festival. That is where AVA Experience comes in. The first edition of this one-of-a-kind luxurious boutique music festival took place on the stunning property of The Khyber Himalayan Resort and Spa and spanned two days.
Held between September 7th and 8th, the grand first edition of the music fest in Gulmarg offered guests exceptional music, lavish accommodations, and exclusive networking opportunities. AVA Experience is a new and unique live series of events started by White Fox, an Indian premiere experience-oriented event production and management venture, and Sueno Events, which has been instrumental in EDM music events in the country since 2018.
The two-day event saw a decent lineup of EDM, house, and techno artists, which made for an excellent experience that fused luxury, music, and art exclusively for AVA members. "We want to create a community of like-minded elites who not only have the resources but also a taste for great music and appreciation of luxury and all things art," said Aman Kumar, Director of White Fox and Co-Founder of AVA Experience. "The AVA Experience in Kashmir was an exciting new venture. With the first edition in Kashmir, the aim was to showcase rich musical heritage to entertain music lovers and shine a light on the incredible artist lineup and natural beauty Kashmir has to offer," he added. Kumar also talked about plans to make this an annual event with hints about international venues in the future.
The AVA event assembled a roster of top talent from the music industry. Names for live performances included Jad Halal, Aliya, Kimotion, Pandhora, Deep Brown, Zuma Dionys, SickFlip, Blot and House of Tuneman, amongst many others.
The festival kicked off on Saturday, September 7, with the major performances starting from 10 pm onwards at the After Party Stage. The Delhi-based People of Tomorrow pop-up served delicious vegan fare and interesting cocktails. The Sunrise Stage was active in the wee hours of the morning, with DJ Alia rocking out the closing set on the final night. Some of the standout acts of the two-day event were SickFlip, Ishaan Bhatia with Pujara, and Aliya. The event concluded early in the morning of September 9.
The Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa in Gulmarg made for a gorgeous venue that perfectly aligned with the opulent vibe of the event. With tastefully decorated rooms highlighting the Gulmarg's sensibilities and endless views of the valley, the resort added to the event's overall appeal.
The different stages were set up around the property for the best experience. The Pool Stage overlooked the famous indoor pool of the resort, while the Sunrise Stage was set up on a higher level with an unparalleled view of the morning sun rising.
"The AVA Experience is our vision to redefine the music festival landscape in India. With a focus on introducing house music to the audience and making that happen at beautiful venues, the maiden event being in the stunning backdrop of Kashmir. We aim to create an event that contributes to community-led experiences while pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the live music space. I'm incredibly excited to share this unique experience with music fans from across the country and around the world," said Samir Sehgal, co-founder of AVA Experience.
AVA Experience- is set to be a unique series of niche live events hosted only at luxurious properties, blending music, art & luxury. It is designed to cater to a select group of 400-500 handpicked members, ensuring an exclusive and intimate experience. Attendance is strictly by application and invitation, preserving the exclusive nature of the event.