2024 will see the first-ever all-female blues artist lineup at the Mahindra Blues Festival

2024 will see the first-ever all-female blues artist lineup at the Mahindra Blues Festival

For the first time in its 12-year existence, the Mahindra Blues Festival (MBF) 2024 at Mehboob Studios, Bandra, is poised to make history with an unprecedented all-female lineup.

Like rainy nights, the blues is a soulful music that has long been the voice and beat of the voiceless and restless. The ladies who experienced these experiences firsthand are the best people to share them. Not only is the Mahindra Blues Festival (MBF) of 2024 breaking boundaries, but it's also blending them into the blues and bringing attention to the women who have been the blues' backbone but often stay in the background. When one thinks of the blues, figures like Big Mama Thornton, Bessie Smith, and Ma Rainey spring to mind. These ladies lived, breathed, and unleashed the blues into the world in addition to just singing it.

With an all-female lineup for its 12th edition, which is scheduled to take over Mehboob Studios in Bandra on February 10 and 11, 2024, MBF is doing something unprecedented in its storied history. The second day of the multi-genre NH7 Weekender in Pune was recently devoted to female artists. It's similar to Ocean's 8, except with fewer heists and more guitars. According to Jai Shah, Vice President of Cultural Outreach at Mahindra Group, "this year's all-female scheduled is not just a celebration of the genre, rather a bold statement in the ongoing story of the blues." In addition to highlighting the vocals of gifted women, the classic lineup also shows a new aspect of the blues.

An array of performers as varied and exciting as they are will bring the stage to life. These women—from innovative newbies to passionate virtuosos—are creating a path for others. America's top performer, Vanessa Collier, is prepared to rock the house with her saxophone, which is like an extension of her soul. His sound is a blend of blues, funk, and soul with a hint of charm. The Chicago Blues Hall of Famer Sherrill Youngblood is another; with his voice, you can experience every feeling in the book, and then some. Her electrifying combination combines the soul of the blues, the heart of R&B, and the strength of gospel. With a single note, Beth Hart, a strong vocalist nominated for a Grammy, may destroy your heart.

The modern edge of this blues sword is Dana Fuchs, with her raspy, bluesy voice. Even the most apathetic fans of the blues can't help but tap their feet throughout their performance—it's an intense dance filled with emotion and intensity. Blues chameleon Samantha Fish combines classic rhythms with a contemporary edge that's as crisp as the sea air. His performance is an intense, emotionally charged ride. Tipriti Kharbangar, who hails from her own land, offers a distinct and alluring blue taste. Kanchan Daniel, a special visitor whose voice is a force of nature capable of shaking a studio, also arrives to join them.

In typical MBF form, the festival's 'Blues in Schools' program and Mahindra Blues Band Hunt both help to develop up-and-coming talent. For the blues is about more than just mythology; it's about what lies ahead.