The event, apart from bringing around the regular bluegrass crew Bangkok’s used to seeing, brought in acts from around Asia for a mix of traditional music from around the globe, drawing more than 200 attendants. What is "old-time"? Well, it's broadly traditional and folk music, but if you don't want to start an argument about it, just pick up an instrument and get to work. 

 

 

More than music, it was an opportunity for lovers of music and instruments to come together in one spot, including some of the city’s premier luthiers selling locally made guitars from the family business, like the Bulbul Guitars, making first-rate guitars right here in Bangkok. 

 

Hosted by Bluegrass Underground Bangkok and MCed by Lauren Giovinco, The day kicked off with Grassy Strings from India playing classic flatpicking bluegrass before the familiar face of Porter Boys member Rich Boyle, who is a regular at Bangkok trad sessions for his unique two-finger banjo playing. 

 

 

But it wasn’t just about the tunes. This event introduced music fans to instruments and playing styles they may not have heard before like the Uilleann pipes playing Scottish trad from Tomo Kida

 

For regulars of the trad sessions held every Saturday at the Blarney Stone, the Irish crew was in the house for somber and rousing Irish tunes, and Des Cahalan told stories from Irish history. On the other side of the pond, Tim Penn put a pan on his head and told Americana tales to clawhammer banjo from local Off.

 

 

With Chaya and the Big Banjo band and a gospel-inspired singalong, the event ran the gamut from sober, careful listening to wild jams in the lobby. 

 

The day of music culminated in a special performance from the Bluegrass Police, Japan’s top bluegrass act, who played in the lobby and had the proper bluegrass fans on the edge of their seats. 

 

With drink deals and plenty of entertainment, the family-friendly event is not sure when it’ll be back, but there was talk of this being a quarterly festival, so get to practicing if you want to join the next jam.