The APOGEE English Press interviewed Naman Joshi, the Coordinator of the Department of Audiforce, to gain insight into its responsibilities and preparations for APOGEE this year.
When asked about pre-fest preparations, he explained that Audiforce’s workload before the fest was relatively limited but crucial. This included drafting contracts for additional security personnel, coordinating with administrative authorities, and arranging barricading logistics through vendors. He mentioned that barricading contracts could range from 60,000 to 90,000 rupees, depending on the scale of events, and they required approvals from multiple bodies before being finalised. Additional responsibilities included coordinating with professors and administration, and planning entry systems, reservations, and band distribution in collaboration with finance and controls teams.
Discussing their work for this APOGEE, he highlighted a key difference from previous fests such as Oasis and BOSM. This year, Audiforce has taken on the responsibility of bringing in artists for N2O—Ashish Solanki being one of them. He added that the department would be likely to manage hospitality for these artists, marking a significant expansion of its role. Apart from this, he noted that most operational aspects remain similar, although planning for VIP entry and exit logistics was still being finalised in coordination with the relevant departments.
Regarding inter-departmental coordination, he highlighted close collaboration with several departments, including Firewallz for patrolling and enforcement, Controls for pass distribution and entry planning, and RecNAcc for logistical support such as equipment and barricade infrastructure. He also noted the involvement of the Student Union in overseeing and aligning these efforts.
When asked about challenges faced, he stated that there were no major operational difficulties, though scheduling conflicts arose due to overlapping commitments such as BPL and holidays, which led to reduced availability of team members. Despite this, he added that coordination with vendors and campus security officials proceeded smoothly.
Reflecting on improvements from the previous edition of APOGEE, he emphasised enhancing barricading measures, particularly around the VIP and prof show areas. He pointed out that earlier lapses in securing these zones had led to inefficiencies, and this year’s approach aimed to ensure smoother crowd flow and prevent overcrowding or conflicts. He also noted that since two South Park events are scheduled this time, compared to one previously, the workload is expected to increase.
He identified duplicacy of passes as a major concern in previous fests, which had led to unauthorised entries and crowding. He stated that this year, Audiforce has coordinated with the CoStAAns of Finance and Controls to mitigate this issue through stricter verification methods, potentially including holograms or scanning systems. Additional measures, such as layered barricading and controlled entry, would be implemented to regulate access to restricted zones.
Reflecting on his experience as Coordinator, he mentioned that while most of Audiforce’s work takes place during the fest itself, the pre-fest phase had been smooth so far. He added that taking on additional responsibilities this year provided him with a deeper understanding of fest operations and increased his involvement in overall planning.
Concluding the interview, he urged students to maintain decorum during events and avoid unnecessary conflicts, emphasising that fests are meant to be enjoyed collectively. He also addressed a common perception about Audiforce, stating that the department is not adversarial but is simply carrying out its duties to ensure safety and smooth execution of events.