New Delhi: The Indian Performing Right Society Ltd. (IPRS), in collaboration with MusiConnect India, is set to host the third edition of Soundscapes of India (SOI) 2026 from August 29–31 in New Delhi, bringing Indian artists and the global music ecosystem onto a common platform.
Positioned as a showcase festival and global music exchange, SOI aims to provide international festival organisers, programmers, curators and industry stakeholders access to India’s diverse musical landscape, spanning classical and folk traditions, indigenous sounds, fusion, jazz, rock, hip-hop, electronic, contemporary and experimental music.
The initiative goes beyond performances by creating pathways for artist discovery, professional networking, international collaboration and market access. The 2026 edition will bring together artists, festival programmers, showcase festivals, labels, publishers, booking agents, concert promoters, live venues, cultural institutions, policymakers and international organisations.
Padma Bhushan Javed Akhtar, Chairman, IPRS, said, “Every region of India has its own voice and musical tradition. Soundscapes of India creates an opportunity for this immense creative wealth to come together, be discovered and find its place on a larger global stage.”
Rakesh Nigam, CEO, IPRS, said, “India has an incredible wealth of musical talent and diversity. Soundscapes of India is designed to bring artists and the global music industry onto one platform, helping musicians get discovered, build meaningful connections and access opportunities beyond our borders.”
The 2026 edition will feature 25+ bands and 150+ artists, with participation from 20+ countries and 15+ Indian states. International acts from Indonesia, Egypt, Nepal and the UK will also be part of the programme, alongside 25+ global industry leaders and 30+ international festival pitching opportunities.
Through artist pitching sessions, curated networking, strategic roundtables, country-focused meetings, professional workshops and mentoring, SOI aims to connect Indian musicians directly with international decision-makers who can facilitate bookings, touring opportunities, partnerships and collaborations.
A key focus of the festival is India’s living cultural and indigenous musical heritage. By bringing these traditions into contemporary global conversations, SOI seeks to help artists and communities access new audiences and international industry stakeholders while retaining the cultural identity of their music.
The platform also has a two-way focus, bringing international artists and music professionals to India to facilitate cultural exchange, collaboration, knowledge-sharing and market intelligence.
Through its focus on discovery, showcase, access, exchange and opportunity, Soundscapes of India aims to evolve beyond a conventional music festival into a platform connecting India’s musical talent with international markets and audiences.
