Beyond music, the festival promises an immersive cultural experience with food, literature, cinema, art and community-led activations
Red FM, one of India’s leading private radio and entertainment networks, is back with the 8th edition of South Side Story, its flagship annual cultural property. What began as a music-led celebration has today evolved into North India’s largest celebration of South Indian culture and one of Delhi’s most anticipated cultural experiences, bringing together its sounds, stories and artistry.
Returning to Delhi on 29th and 30th August 2026 at KD Jadhav Wrestling Stadium, South Side Story comes back bigger, deeper and more immersive than ever before. Beyond experiences, this year’s edition is a reflection of the rich and evolving music culture of South India, bringing together some of the finest artists across genres on one stage. Returning for an incredible eighth consecutive year, Thaikkudam Bridge continues to remain one of the defining forces of the festival. The line-up also features acclaimed actress and Padma Bhushan awardee Shobana and first timer Aksomaniac, alongside celebrated names including Raghu Dixit, Karthik, Baby Jean, Avial, Sooraj Santhosh, Arya Dhayal and Masala Coffee creating a powerful blend of classical art, contemporary music, pop and rap.
This year also marks a major milestone with the festival extending to Pune, the cultural capital of Maharashtra, for the very first time on 22nd August 2026 at Messe Global Laxmi Lawns. For the Pune edition, audiences will experience performances by Shobana, Karthik, Avial, The Raghu Dixit Project and Tribemama Marykali.
This year, the festival deepens its cultural footprint through a series of curated partnerships across literature, cinema and food. As India’s live entertainment and event economy continues to witness significant growth, audiences are increasingly gravitating towards experiences that are immersive, culturally rooted and community-led. Against this backdrop, South Side Story has steadily emerged as one of the country’s most distinctive cultural IPs, reinforcing Red FM’s position as a brand deeply invested in celebrating regional identity, independent voices and large-scale cultural experiences.
