Mahindra Blues 2025 Lineup: Robert Randolph, Taj Farrant to Perform
(from left to right) Ruthie Foster, Robert Randolph and Taj Farrant will perform at Mahindra Blues Festival 2025 in Mumbai. Photos: Courtesy of Mahindra Blues Festival
Ace pedal steel guitarist Robert Randolph, Grammy-nominated vocalist-guitarist Ruthie Foster, prodigal bluesman Taj Farrant and Australian duo The Teskey Brothers are among the international acts performing at the upcoming 13th edition of Mahindra Blues Festival in Mumbai on Feb. 8 and 9, 2025.
With tickets now live, the roundup also features Indian representation from two Mumbai artists rooted in blues tradition, powerhouse vocalist Kanchan Daniel and singer-songwriter Megan Murray.
Robert Randolph returns for his third visit to India as part of Mahindra Blues 2025. Slated to perform on the second day of the festival on Feb. 9, Randolph presents his signature style of gospel and blues. The artist made his India debut at the festival’s second edition in 2012, coming back in 2013 as Robert Randolph and The Family Band.
Mahindra Blues have often showcased young talents in the field, previously bringing down the likes of guitar ace Quinn Sullivan. On the first day of the 2025 edition, there’s Australian guitarist Taj Farrant, who first hit the mainstream after appearing on reality show Australia’s Got Talent in 2019, as a nine-year-old who made it to the semi-finals of the show. Now 15 years old, amassing fans on TikTok and having released his debut album Chapter One earlier this year, Farrant arrives in India on the back of performing at festivals like Lollapalooza in Chicago.
Fellow Australian duo The Teskey Brothers – comprising guitarist and vocalist siblings Josh and Sam – are also making their India debut, performing on the Polka Dot Parlour stage on Feb. 8, 2025.
Over at the Soulstrat Stage, American singer-songwriter Ruthie Foster makes her India debut as well, blending blues, folk and R&B. A six-time Grammy nominee, Foster is coming to India just a week after her album Mileage got a nod for Best Contemporary Blues Album.
Kanchan Daniel, for her part, returns to the Mahindra Blues stage right after she shared the stage with Shillong powerhouse blues artist Tipriti Kharbangar at last year’s edition. This time, Daniel goes solo with a “full-fledged set.”
Megan Murray, who started her year with an early set at Lollapalooza India, returns with a multi-genre performance at Mahindra Blues.
Additionally, festival staples such as the Band Hunt competition will return, as will groups such as The Beatz Crew from Kanakia International School and all-girl Nanhi Kali Choir.
Mahindra Group’s vice president of cultural outreach Jay Shah says in a statement, “The fact that India has embraced this culturally rich genre that emerged from the rural communities of the U.S. underscores the transcendental nature of music and blues in particular. For over 13 editions, the Mahindra Blues Festival has brought some of the most celebrated artists to India, continuing the Mahindra Group’s commitment to fostering a rich culture in the country. This year’s line-up comprises some of the veterans, new talents on the block, and talents emerging from the heartland, and we are elated to continue this resilient legacy of blues.”
Organizers Hyperlink Brand Solutions’ founder VG Jairam added in his statement, “Mahindra Blues Festival, for over 12 editions, has brought globally loved artists and the genre for the people in the heartland to experience the transformative power of it. After creating a herstory last year, we have an array of young talents like Taj Farrant and veterans in the game like Ruthie Foster during the 13th edition for an out-of-the-body musical extravaganza.”
Get Mahindra Blues festival tickets here.
