Asia
BACARDÍ NH7 WEEKENDER IS BACK THIS FEBRUARY IN PUNE, DELHI AND KOLKATA WITH THE COUNTRY’S MOST UNIQUE INDIE ARTIST LINE-UP
Experience an all-star Indian line-up with Anuv Jain, Kayan, Kayoben, Raja Kumari, Ritviz, The Local Train, and Taba Chake along with top comics performing at the happiest festival.
BACARDÍ and NODWIN Gaming are bringing back the 12th edition of BACARDÍ NH7 Weekender, India’s Happiest Music Festival, to its fans across Pune, Delhi and Kolkata in February 2022. The festival has announced its much-awaited line-up of top Indian artists who will perform live across multiple stages set up at the festival grounds. This year, the multi-genre festival will include comedy, art and for the first time, esports and gaming.
The festival will kick-off in Pune with artists like Anuv Jain, Bombay Brass, Raja Kumari, The Yellow Diary, and Ritviz, to name a few, who will take the stage on February 5 & 6, 2022. The festival then travels to Kolkata – ‘The City of Joy’ on February 12 & 13, 2022, with another stellar lineup of artists that includes Peter Cat Recording Co., Karshini, Kamakshi Khanna, Taba Chake and Tejas. BACARDÍ NH7 Weekender wraps up in Delhi NCR giving fans a chance to enjoy electrifying performances by Ankur Tiwari, Kayan, Kamakshi Khanna, Arjun Vagale & Hanita Bhambri amongst others. The audience in Pune, Delhi and Kolkata will be privy to some never seen before performances by artists created specially for the BACARDÍ NH7 Weekender.
For over a decade now, India’s Happiest Music Festival along with BACARDÍ have brought together some of the best and most diverse performances by regional and global artists. This year, the festival will have a predominantly Indian line-up because of the current global travel situation, and homegrown indie artists will feature at the forefront of the festival. Upcoming as well as established artists from different parts of the country will bring their unique sounds and culture to this mega platform.
Right from ferris wheels & photo opportunities to the food & drinks available at the venues, BACARDÍ NH7 Weekender has something for everyone! Grab your tickets for the festival now. Tickets go live in all three cities today (December 21,2021) on Insider.in. Get a sneak peek into the festival here: @nh7dotin (Instagram).
The festival will prioritize all necessary safety and hygiene protocols and checks. Social distancing, entry for only fully vaccinated fans, mandatory use of masks and sanitizers, thermal scanning check points, temperature checks, etc., will ensure a safe and secure atmosphere where fans can enjoy the festival.
The event is subject to permissions being procured which will only be known closer to the event date based on the regulations at the time. However, NODWIN Gaming will refund all ticket money in case of any cancellations due to regulations on account of the pandemic.
Here is a quick glimpse into what’s in store this year:
Indian performers:
Ankur Tewari: A man of many talents – best known as a singer – songwriter, he is also a composer, music supervisor & a poet. He has made music as an independent artist since 1998. His debut album, Jannat, was released in 2008 and ruled the charts. His work ranges from a double album Side A/ Side B, a children’s album with Sony Music and many other singles.
Bombay Brass: India’s top-horn players perform their reinvention of classic Indian and western hits. Their music is styled around wind instruments as the lead element that unites nostalgia with a vibrant and energetic performance.
The Yellow Diary: The Mumbai-based alternative rock outfit has made a name for itself in the Indie music scene in less than half a decade. The band has released six songs in two EPs in addition to performing hundreds of live shows across the country.
The Local Train – They are a Hindi Rock Band from New Delhi that makes use of Hindi and Urdu lyrics delivering an amalgamation of ideas that they wish to express through their music.
Ritviz : He is an Indian singer songwriter, electronic musician and record producer from Pune known for his song ‘Udd Gaye’. The hit featured on A.I.B.’s official YouTube channel after becoming the winner of the 2017 BACARDÍ House Party Sessions — a talent hunt competition organized by A.I.B.
Lojal: Shillong bred and Bengaluru-based musician Lojal’s creations are an ever-growing world of emotions and music created in and around the spaces of the artist himself.
Parikrama:One of India’s iconic rock ‘n’ roll bands, Parikrama, still active after 30 years is known for their highly energised and infectious performances. Probably one of the few Indian bands who are also known for their artworks and pyro works. The band will be performing a special set that will be a tribute to the late member of the band – Sonam Sherpa.
Parvaaz: The four membered band comprising Khalid Ahamed (Vocals & Guitar), Mir Kashif Iqbal (Guitars & Vocals), Sachin Banandur (Drums & Percussion) and Fidel Dsouza (Bass Guitar) have assimilated several international progressive/psychedelic rock influences but their own expression has a rootedness that makes their sound unique. Parvaaz’s sound has often been described as one that transcends musical genres taking the listener into spaces that traverse folk, blues and psychedelia, wrapped in an ambient sound that is familiar yet elusive
Raja Kumari: Indian-American rapper, singer, songwriter, and dancer Raja Kumari is a force of nature. She’s a fearless, charismatic personality and natural-born storyteller whose mission is to create art that blends her Indian roots with her American upbringing.
Taba Chake: A Nyishi finger-style guitarist and singer-songwriter based in Mumbai. His debut EP titled ‘Bond with Nature’ was released in 2016 followed by a 10-track album ‘Bombay Dreams’ in 2019.
Sunflower Tape Machine: Is the pseudonym and experimental solo project of full-time indie/psychedelic rock, bedroom pop, and shoe-gaze musician, Aryaman Singh.
Drum Ani Bass: The brainchild of bass player Nathan Thomas and drummer Dhir Mody, Drum Ani Bass evolved out of improvised jungle/drum n bass jams at 1403.
Kamakshi Khanna: She is a Delhi-based singer/songwriter who gained recognition with the release of her EP, Much Mellow (2014), and her full-length album, Cakewalk (2017). Having established herself in the Indie music scene with numerous live performances across the country and collaborations, in 2020 Kamakshi released her first Hindi single, Qareeb, a song about a girl who grows and learns to love herself.
International performers:
Yung Raja: Singaporean breakthrough artiste Yung Raja has been dubbed as Southeast Asia’s next avant-garde bilingual hip hop artiste, known for his tasteful unification of Western and Tamil culture in his lyrics.f
Powered by WPeMatico
Asia
Insurgence Gaming Company Introduces La Imperia, a Community-First All-Female VALORANT Tournament
La Imperia, a new all-female esports IP by The Insurgence Gaming Company, will make its competitive debut this month with an online VALORANT invitational tournament running from December 19 to 21, 2025. Designed as a visibility-first platform for women competitors, the event brings together four invited Indian teams for a three-day broadcast competition.
La Imperia marks the inaugural tournament by the Insurgence Gaming Company, a newly founded esports company led by Jasper Shabin, who previously served as a poject manager at Skyesports. Positioning itself as a community-first tournament operator, the Insurgence Gaming Company aims to refocus attention on grassroots competition and long-term ecosystem building at a time when entry-level and women-led esports pathways remain limited.
The tournament will be played in VALORANT and feature a round-robin group stage followed by single-elimination playoffs, culminating in a BO5 Grand Final. All matches across the three days will be broadcast live on YouTube, along with additional watch-parties.
The four invited teams competing at La Imperia include Huntrix, Sin Sisters, Plushie Gang and MyKil. All teams feature all-female rosters, aligning with La Imperia’s positioning as a dedicated women’s esports IP.
Broadcast production for the event will be handled by Momentum Gaming, serving as the official Broadcast Partner. The on-air talent lineup includes Star Tania, Nekroz, Odawg, and Hikari Jane, who will guide viewers through the tournament across all three days.
Beyond competition, La Imperia is also placing emphasis on player well-being. Sattva by Pallavi joins the tournament as the Mental Health Partner, integrating conversations around mental health and holistic wellness into the event’s broadcast and content output. The partnership reflects a growing recognition of sustainability and mental resilience within competitive gaming environments.
Speaking on the launch, Jasper Shabin, Founder of The Insurgence Gaming Company, said: “La Imperia is built to be a visibility platform first. There is no shortage of talent in the women’s VALORANT scene, but there are very few consistent stages where that talent can be seen, supported, and taken seriously. With the Insurgence Gaming Company, we want to return focus to grassroots competition and create formats that players can grow with, not just compete in once.”
The tournament carries an INR 15,000 prize pool, with the primary focus placed on competitive exposure, broadcast quality, and long-term ecosystem value rather than one-off incentives.
With its inaugural edition, La Imperia sets the foundation for a new women-led esports property in India—one that combines structured competition, professional broadcast standards, and a community-first philosophy.
The post Insurgence Gaming Company Introduces La Imperia, a Community-First All-Female VALORANT Tournament appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.
Reading Time: < 1 minute
The World Esports Championship 2025 (WEC25) is officially open in Kuala Lumpur, welcoming athletes, fans, and delegations from around the globe. With 19 nations taking part in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB), this year’s event stands as the most internationally diverse MLBB competition in IESF history.
After a year filled with national and regional qualifiers and preparations from teams around the world, the world’s top esports athletes have arrived in Malaysia’s capital, Kuala Lumpur. The opening ceremony set the tone for the days ahead, offering fans a first glimpse of the excitement and atmosphere surrounding this year’s championship.
“WEC25 reflects the continued growth of esports as a space for connection, competition, and shared passion,” said IESF General Secretary Boban Totovski. “Bringing together 19 nations for MLBB is a milestone not just for the title, but for the entire esports ecosystem. We are proud to bring this edition of the championship to Kuala Lumpur.”
As the competition officially kicks off, the schedule is fully packed with exciting match-ups among Nations, competing for their flag and country. The best from all over the world will have the unique opportunity to become the MLBB World Champion.
IESF extends its gratitude to the Malaysian government and the Ministry for Youth and Sports, partners, athletes, and global supporters who continue to elevate the championship’s reach and impact.
The post IESF Officially Opens the World Esports Championship 2025 in Kuala Lumpur appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Asia
Pacific Online-backed Buenas PH Inks Partnership with YGS Live’s Battle of the Streamers to Support Ethical iGaming
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Buenas PH, the licensed e-casino operator under HHR Philippines Inc (HHRPI), has been named the presenting partner of YGS Live’s Battle of the Streamers. The partnership builds on the strong momentum created during the recent launch of YGS Live, a next-generation iGaming broadcast platform founded by esports pioneer Julius “Banoobs” Mariano.
Buenas PH is backed by strong corporate leadership that firmly establishes its position in the iGaming and entertainment industry. HHR Philippines is venture-backed by publicly listed Pacific Online Systems Corporation (POSC), led by Willy N. Ocier, who serves as Chairman of Belle Corporation. Belle Corporation is SM Investment’s major developer of leisure and tourism destinations built to support the growth of PAGCOR’s Entertainment City. This corporate foundation strengthens Buenas PH’s credibility and long-term direction as it grows in the regulated iGaming sector.
The Battle of the Streamers is the flagship program of YGS Live. Powered by Pragmatic Play and streamed through the soon-to-be-launched Loco Live platform, the event brings together the country’s top iGaming creators in a weekly competition featuring an eleven-million-peso prize pool. As one of the first major events to debut on Loco Live, the program showcases the platform’s commitment to high-quality, responsible, and community-driven iGaming content. It also reinforces YGS Live’s advocacy for responsible iGaming by discouraging creators from promoting unlicensed or scam platforms.
“Through this partnership, Buenas PH supports a mission that elevates Philippine iGaming to a safer and more responsible environment,” said Julius “Banoobs” Mariano, Founder of YGS Live. “Our creators have influence. We want that influence to help shape a healthier culture for fans and players.”
Industry reports have highlighted Pacific Online’s active participation in the growth of regulated online gaming in the Philippines, including its involvement in HHR Philippines and the Buenas operator. These developments strengthen confidence in the company’s long-term direction as a regulated and ethical player in the e-casino sector.
As the presenting partner, Buenas PH takes a central role throughout the Battle of the Streamers program, which runs every Saturday and culminates in a grand finals event on January 18, 2026, at City of Dreams Manila. The event combines high-stakes matches with interactive community segments, along with three million pesos in community giveaways for fans and viewers.
YGS Live continues to position itself as a broadcast network dedicated to responsible, community-driven iGaming content. With Buenas PH as a lead partner, the platform aims to set a new benchmark for safe, creator-focused, and credible iGaming entertainment in the Philippines.
For updates, visit the official YGS Live Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/YGSLive.
The post Pacific Online-backed Buenas PH Inks Partnership with YGS Live’s Battle of the Streamers to Support Ethical iGaming appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
