Kappa CULTR Festival 2026 in Kochi Adds Music, Art, and Gaming

Kappa CULTR Festival 2026 in Kochi will have around 27 artists, plus art, food, and gaming. This is more than just a music event.
By Newsroom | Music Festival, Kochi |

The Kappa CULTR Festival is poised to return to Kochi for its third edition, promising a broad spectrum of electronic music, art, food, and culture. Scheduled from February 20th to 22nd, 2026, at Bolgatty Palace, the event aims to expand beyond a traditional music festival by integrating various art forms and experiences. This gathering is positioned by its organizers as a significant cultural event for Kerala, intended to draw both domestic and international attention.

9 Experimental Electronic Music Acts To Catch at Kochi’s Kappa Cultr Festival 2026 - 1

Event Overview and Scope

Kappa CULTR, described as South India's most talked-about electronic music festival, will host approximately 27 artists, presenting a blend of genres including techno, melodic house, experimental electronica, psy-influenced sounds, and bass-driven club music. The festival spans three days and features multiple stages, accommodating both established global artists and emerging local talent. Beyond music, the event is set to include CULTR Art, a culinary village curated by food content creator Alex Jo Scaria, and The Versus Gaming Arcade, which will introduce Japanese gaming culture and esports elements to the festival scene.

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9 Experimental Electronic Music Acts To Catch at Kochi’s Kappa Cultr Festival 2026 - 2

  • Dates: February 20-22, 2026

  • Venue: Bolgatty Palace, Kochi, Kerala

  • Core Components: Music, Art, Food, Gaming, Fashion, Merchandise

  • Artistic Lineup: Approximately 27 artists across various electronic music subgenres.

Curated Experiences Beyond Music

Organizers emphasize Kappa CULTR's intention to be an "immersive, multi-sensory experience" and a "cultural convergence."

9 Experimental Electronic Music Acts To Catch at Kochi’s Kappa Cultr Festival 2026 - 3

  • CULTR Art: This segment is dedicated to contemporary installations and immersive visual works, aiming to transform the venue into an evolving artistic space.

  • CULTR Food: Alex Jo Scaria, with a following of over 80,000, is curating a food village featuring more than 30 stalls and diverse world cuisines. The stated goal is to elevate festival food to "global standards."

  • The Versus Gaming Arcade: This area introduces arcade and console gaming, with a specific focus on Japanese gaming culture, marking an "arcade rave" concept. Daily live artist performances are planned within this zone.

The festival's musical program is designed to showcase a range of electronic music styles, from high-energy techno to more experimental and melodic sounds.

9 Experimental Electronic Music Acts To Catch at Kochi’s Kappa Cultr Festival 2026 - 4

  • Genre Range: Techno, melodic house, experimental electronica, psy-influenced sounds, acid, breaks, synth-driven electronic soundscapes, and rap are cited.

  • International Acts Confirmed:

  • Bart Skils: Known for his "hypnotic, driving Drumcode sound."

  • Elias Mazian: Recognized for melodic innovation and producing dance music and synth-pop.

  • Ezequiel Arias: Co-steers Melorama Música and curates the Limbo mix series, focusing on mood-driven progressions.

  • Carbon (Germany), Tim Taste (Germany), Racing Nokia (France), Liquid Soul (Switzerland).

  • Indian Artists Confirmed:

  • Monophonik (Live): Explores synth-driven electronic soundscapes.

  • Rafiki: Characterized by "restless, genre-fluid energy" moving between acid, breaks, house, and techno.

  • Tasnneem: Approaches techno with a "left-field brain," incorporating fractured drum programming and acidic undercurrents.

  • Anushka, Anyasa, Benkii, Baawra, Fushi, Hamza Rahimtula, Kiss Nuka, Kohra, Midnight Traffic, Mogasu, Obscuit, Sacred Seeds, Shantam, Jebin James, John Johnson, Unnayanaa.

  • Ash Roy, DJ Dawn, Klanganoid (mentioned in relation to a pre-party event).

  • Hannes Bieger, Victor Ruiz, Giorgia Angiuli, Olympe4000, Cassimm, Siva Prayojan, Browncoat (mentioned as performing this year's festival, specific edition not always clear but context suggests CULTR).

Festival Genesis and Ambition

Founded by Mayura Shreymas Kumar and Devika Shreyams Kumar, Kappa CULTR aims to establish Kochi as a significant cultural destination and a "global festival attraction." The festival is in its third edition, having evolved from earlier events like "Mojo Rising." Organizers view the event as a platform to "redefine scale and possibility for Kerala's creative scene" and a "new cultural landmark for Kerala." The ambition is to position Kappa CULTR as a "world-recognised music and culture festival."

Event Logistics and Pre-Event Activities

  • Pre-Party: A pre-party was held in Kochi, featuring artists like Ash Roy, DJ Dawn, and Klanganoid, serving as a prelude to the main festival.

  • Ticketing: Information regarding ticket booking is available through official channels.

  • Festival Structure: The event will utilize dual stages to host headliners and high-impact performances, with a focus on maintaining musical integrity alongside large-scale production.

Conflicting Information and Ambiguities

While multiple sources confirm the festival dates as February 20-22, 2026, one source from February 27, 2024, mentions the dates March 8-10 for a previous edition, indicating a potential discrepancy in the provided data regarding past event timelines. Furthermore, Article 16 mentions artists like Hannes Bieger, Victor Ruiz, and Giorgia Angiuli as performing "this year’s festival," with the publication date being December 23, 2024; it is unclear if "this year" refers to a prior edition or is a reference to the upcoming 2026 event in the context of the provided articles. Article 14, "Kappa FuturFestival 2026," appears to refer to a different festival with a similar name, based on the listed features like "cashless payments" and "shuttle service," which are common to many large festivals.

  • Date Discrepancy: Article 9 (published Feb 27, 2024) lists March 8-10 for a "Kappa CULTR Festival in Kochi," while Articles 2, 4, 10, 11, and 15 consistently cite February 20-22, 2026, for the upcoming edition.

  • Artist Attribution: Article 16 lists international artists without definitively linking them to the 2026 edition, and Article 1 refers to Mazian and Arias in the context of electronic music, while Article 2 mentions Monophonik and Bart Skils. Article 15 provides a more comprehensive list of artists specifically for the 2026 edition.

  • Festival Name Confusion: Article 14, "Kappa FuturFestival 2026," seems to describe a different event than Kappa CULTR.

Sources Used

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When is the Kappa CULTR Festival happening in Kochi in 2026?
The Kappa CULTR Festival will take place in Kochi from February 20th to February 22nd, 2026. It is being held at Bolgatty Palace.
Q: What kind of music will be at the Kappa CULTR Festival 2026?
The festival will feature around 27 artists playing different types of electronic music. This includes techno, melodic house, experimental electronica, and bass music.
Q: What else besides music can people experience at Kappa CULTR Festival 2026?
Besides music, the festival will have an art section called CULTR Art with visual works. There will also be a food village with many food stalls and a gaming arcade called The Versus Gaming Arcade, which will show Japanese gaming culture.
Q: Who are some of the main artists performing at Kappa CULTR Festival 2026?
Some confirmed international artists include Bart Skils, Elias Mazian, and Ezequiel Arias. Indian artists like Monophonik and Rafiki will also perform, along with many others.
Q: What is the main goal of the Kappa CULTR Festival 2026 in Kochi?
The organizers want to make Kochi a major cultural spot and a famous place for festivals around the world. They aim to show new possibilities for Kerala's creative scene.