Nomads is the new chapter of Magnetic Fields as it leaves Alsisar Mahal after a decade to settle into Abheygarh Khetri in Rajasthan’s Aravalli belt. The February 13–15, 2026 edition leans into tighter curation with nine stages hosting global acts like Rival Consoles and Vieux Farka Touré alongside Indian artists such as RANJ x CLIFR, sudan, and Rounak Maiti. Beyond music, Nomads keeps the Magnetic Fields spirit alive through a variety of experiences including wellness corners, food, workshops and local collaborations.
After more than ten years of turning a 17th-century palace into a desert weekender, Magnetic Fields is packing up its tents and starting over. The 2026 edition, running February 13-15, appears under a new name, Nomads, and takes place at Abheygarh Khetri in Rajasthan’s Aravalli belt.
But over the past decade, Magnetic Fields has grown among the more acclaimed culture and music events in India with a devoted audience that rarely talks about it in the same breath as big-tent EDM gigs.
For those who've followed the festival's journey, Alsisar and Magnetic Fields had become synonymous, as the festival never changed venues once it found that site.
Keeping the aura, the mystery around it, those who pre-registered received access to information as it was released in a phased manner. The comment section to the announcement also showed many DJs and acts who performed there, reminiscing about the great experience and memories of having played there.
But why the shift in venue? The move to Khetri arrives at a time when India’s festival calendar is far more crowded, and the promoters say they want to resist the chase for the largest numbers in favour of focused programming and a tighter sense of community
The shift was also partly practical. As per music journalist Amit Gurbaxani writing for Music Ally, Alsisar Mahal, the palace that housed Magnetic Fields for years, had become a victim of the festival's own success with insiders saying that it “outgrew its venue” and increasing audience numbers driven towards the rave aspect to it more than the lineup.
Across nine stages, the lineup features UK electronic pioneer Rival Consoles making his India debut, bringing his blend of melodic techno to Khetri. Malian guitarist Vieux Farka Touré carries forward his father's desert blues legacy with hypnotic West African grooves, while Auntie Flo's live band delivers their globally-inflected electronic fusion.
An intriguing addition is The Stepwell, India's first ambient and downtempo stage. Here, Berlin-based Barker crafts his signature strain of hypnotic techno. There is also Nigerian-New York DJ Akanbi, who explores Afro-diasporic rhythms, and Delhi's Fursat FM will offer soundscapes designed for contemplation rather than movement.
Other stages cover familiar territory but with careful curation. The BUDx East Stage brings in artists like Vancouver's D. Tiffany, who is known for her eclectic house sets that draw from jazz. Melbourne's Kia would deliver her brand of groove-heavy club music, while Brooklyn's DJ Swisha brings his distinct flavour of experimental dance. Portuguese selector Mafalda appears across multiple stages, including a vinyl-only set at the Ray-Ban Easy Picnic.
Indian artists get significant billing too. Among known Indian indie names playing are R&B duo RANJ x CLIFR, whose innovative tracks have been making waves in the scene, alongside names like Rounak Maiti (also of EXCISE DEPT) and sudan.
Curtain Blue presents new work titled 'Kesar', while Rounik Maiti, fresh off Lollapalooza 2026, would showcase his acclaimed album 'Brute Fact/Home Truth'. Making its debut is 'Jal Jungle Zameen' (Water, Forest, Land), a live electronica performance by renowned DJ Murthovic and Thiruda of Middle Room Bangalore, alongside folk musicians Gopika Jairam and the Manganiyar ensemble, exploring ecological themes.
Nomads, like its predecessor Magnetic Fields, is known for programming that extends well beyond DJ sets and live performances into a diverse variety of holistic cultural experiences. The visual design is known to play with the contrast between heritage architecture and modern cutting-edge art and culture.
Moving Stories offers small-group walks beyond the palace grounds which promise to showcase history. Chef's Table returns as an intimate 18-person culinary gathering in the palace's hand-painted restaurant.
The Sanctuary space continues its work around wellness, mental health. Co-curated by psychologist and yoga sound therapist Priyanjali Das and psychologist, poet Kripi Malviya, it would feature daily sharing circles, workshops, and ancient wellness practices. There's even a collaboration with Berlin's Refuge Worldwide radio, bringing their "In Tune" series of intimate artist conversations to Khetri.
The festival also never treated its location as a mere backdrop. Previous editions saw the team contribute funds toward the village, such as local medical equipment and school infrastructure.
The change, it appears, isn’t driving away devotees of the festival. Tickets for the 2026 edition are sold out shortly after registration opened. But for now, Nomads represents something increasingly rare. A festival willing to rethink its entire identity rather than coast on past success. The new name clearly suggests a refusal to settle and actively choosing to evolve rather than simply scale up. The real test will be whether the festival can maintain its carefully cultivated mystique while growing.
Details and full lineup information are available at nomads.magneticfields.in.
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