Techno haven: Hardline is an outlet for India’s queer community to truly express themselves

Functions is our interview series profiling parties from across the world. Next up is India’s Hardline

“The whole joy of being at Hardline is freedom of expression for everyone, fans and artists alike,” says Neha, AKA Likwid, one of the driving figures behind India’s queer-inclusive techno party Hardline. Alongside Ankur, AKA Deep Brown, the pair brought a creative vision to life that, they believe, didn’t really exist in India prevously. “We were one of the first of our kind when we kicked off,” Likwid says, “but the scene has become a lot more exciting ever since then, with more club nights and standalone shows all pushing the techno sound.”

Since its launch in July 2022, Hardline has always prioritised homegrown talent. Putting local artists before big international stars, India’s own talent is always the headline act, with previous guests including the likes of Monophonik, Rikhter, and Amotik. Two past call-ins from Boiler Room have helped to put Hardline on the map in the techno and industrial scene, with recent shows bringing their steadily growing event to new corners of India after getting its start in Mumbai.

Read this next: The Lab India returns in 2024

Now one of South Asia’s most vital techno parties, Hardline wants to spread its wings and expand across the breadth and width of India, and hopefully even further afield, they explain. “We would love to bring an all-Indian line-up to other parts of the world, that’s definitely part of our wish list,” says Likwid. “For now, we want to continue growing and supporting our local pool of talent.”

We chat with Hardline’s co-founder Likwid about how the party made its start, inclusivity and community in the techno scene, and the challenges that come with throwing events in India. Check it out below.