Indian DJs impress me

DJ Paolo Mojo to headline Sunburn Festival’s five city India tour which will take place from May 28 to June 4.

The Sunburn Festival, which happens every December, is one of Asia's biggest electronic dance music festivals. After getting DJs Armin Van Buuren and Sultan last year, this year, a mini Sunburn Tour will take place from May 28 to June 4 across five cities: Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Delhi. DJ Paolo Mojo will headline at all the cities. We quizzed him about what he has in store for us.

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Is this the first time you will be playing in India?
Yes. I am very excited about coming to India. It is one of the few places I have not yet got a chance to visit. India has a rich and long established culture. I really look forward to playing in India.

Do you have a different set-list for each of the five cities where you will be playing?
No, I never think on those terms. I always go with the flow of the night. Music is all about feeling and I play instinctively. It is about what I am feeling in a specific time. I like to go along with the feel and energy of the place.

Is there any particular leitmotif in your music?
No, there is nothing specific like that. I put in emotion in whatever I do. It does not matter what kind of house music I am playing. My music is emotional and instinctive. It is a two-way connection between the audience and me.

You are playing on a stage that has seen people like Armin Van Buuren. Any special preparations?
DJ Armin Van Buuren is a big name. I am aware that he headlined last time. It is great to be playing the stage after him. I want to bring my own thing, my own music this time. I hope it is appreciated.

Have you heard music by Indian musicians? Any favourites or anybody you found particularly notable?
I do not know much about Indian music. But in my kind of music, I have heard Nikhil Chinapa, and Arjun Vagale from Jalebee Cartel. I must say I am quite impressed by their sound. Thanks to the technology these days, it is even possible to collaborate while in two different countries. I am very much open to the possibility of collaboration. I look forward to experiencing and learning more about music in India.

The Mumbai gig will take place on May 28 at Blue Frog, Lower Parel from 9:30pm to 2:30am. Nawed Khan will open for DJ Paolo Mojo and Vijay Chawla will close for him.
Entry is Rs. 1000 per person.