17 music festivals happening around Thailand this winter
All the best out-of-town music festivals heading your way.
HIGHLIGHTS
BIG MOUNTAIN
Date: Dec 6-7
Location: The Bonanza Khao Yai, Nakhon Ratchasima
Price: B2,000 (tickets only) plus B500 for camping space, B1,000 for tent rental in the outer zone, B1,500 for camping space and tent in the inner camping zone.
What to expect: The biggest festival in the land is returning for its sixth edition under the theme “one festival cures all illnesses,” with rising star Boom Boom Cash this time taking over Big Mountain anthem duties. As ever, you can expect the biggest names in Thai music, from Palmy, Da Endorphine, Potato, 25 Hours, Thaitanium and Carabao on the iconic Ferris Wheel Stage to Lula, New-Jew, Sqweez Animal, Ploychompoo x Wishes on The Earth, Aof Pongsak and Scrubb on the Cow Stage. Rockers can head to the Harn (Goose) Stage for the likes of Apartment Khunpa, Flure, Sweet Mullet, Greasy Cafe, Moderndog and Klear. Hip-hop artist Joey Boy headlines the Godzilla stage and radio personality Na Nek will host the usual secret, shady party in Akojorn Pub. The newly redesigned Pak Chong Stage will welcome diverse acts like Inspirative and Aire. On top of Japanese performers like Overground Acoustic Underground, rockers Buffalo Daughter, jazzy Ego-Wrappin’ and electro YMCK, the international lineup includes Jagwar Ma (Australia), Scarescrow The Blues Hip Hop (France) and Prince in the Castle (Taiwan). The newest addition to the festival is the T.E.D stage (Thai Electronic Dance), which will blast out EDM along with lasers and light shows for the party people. Get your fill at Kaijew City and Somtam City, and visit the Mad House for face painting, fun games, mime and magic shows. www.bigmountainmusicfestival.com
WONDERFRUIT
Date: Dec 19-21
Location: The Fields at Siam Country Club, Chonburi
Price: B5,000, not including camping or Feast events
What to expect: This is probably the most exciting festival we’ve heard of happening in Thailand, whether for the music lineup, the boutique camping or the extra-curricular festivities. One of the organizers, Champ Donavanik, describes it as a “transformative festival” that combines social enterprise with entertainment, art and music. “Our profits actually go to foundations helping educate the underprivileged and investing in sustainable measures in Thailand,” he says. There will be four stages, each with a different design, catering to different genres: the Living Stage, Soi Stage, Green Quarry and Solar Stage. International acts include electro favorites Little Dragon (Sweden), hip-hop trio De La Soul (US), seven-piece dub act Fat Freddy’s Drop (New Zealand), nu-disco group Hercules and Love Affair (US), Swedish troubadour Jose Gonzalez, alternative hip-hop DJ The Gaslamp Killer and electronica artist Chet Faker (Australia). They’ll be joined by a diverse list of local acts, including Yellow Fang, Maft Sai’s Paradise Bangkok Molam International Band, Stylish Nonsense, Burin Boonvisut, 25Hours, T-Bone and the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra. Away from the music, expect an array of pop-up stalls by top names such as The Never Ending Summer, Burnt Ends (Singapore) and Quince Eatery & Bar, plus street food, healthy juices and booze. Limited tickets are also available for long table banquets by award-winning chef David Thompson (Nahm) and a Roman feast by Paolo Vitaletti (Appia). The Lotus Garden will offer yoga, meditation and massages, while the festival grounds will also integrate contemporary art installations from artists such as Lolay, Wit Pimkanchanapong, Rukkit Kuanhawate and Kanta Horio. Film screenings and workshops are also scheduled. www.wonderfruitfestival.com
BANGKOK
Arcadia The Gravity Landing
Date: Nov 29
Venue: Gravity Landing Base, Siam Park City
Price: B2,500-B3,500
What to expect: Straight out of Glastonbury, the award-winning stage production Arcadia Spectacular, in collaboration with Gravity Thailand, lands for the first time outside of the UK, bringing a huge, 360-degree interactive light and EDM show for Bangkok’s party people. Acts include The Bloody Beetroots, Roni Size + Dynamite MC and Far Too Loud.
808 Festival 2014
Date: Dec 9
Venue: BITEC
Price: B1,950 (regular) and B2,500 (VIP)
What to expect: Another massive festival for EDM-heads. Divided into two stages, the festival brings out the likes of Dutch DJ Nicky Romero, who collaborated with Avicii on the UK #1 hit “I Could Be The One,” Richie Hawtin aka Plastikman, progressive electro-house act Blasterjaxx and British DJ Daley Padley aka Hot Since 82. Age restriction 20+.
EAST
Jazz on Green: A Tribute for Our King
Date: Dec 6
Location: Laem Chabang International Country Club, Chonburi
Price: B2,500
What to expect: Celebrate Father’s Day with an international barbecue from five-star hotels and veteran acts such as Infinity, Ann Thitima, Bangkok Connection, Soul After Six, Ford and Maleewan Jemina.
Flick Fun Fest Music Festival Vol. 2
Date: Dec 6
Location: Mae Rumpheung Beach, Rayong
Price: B1,200
What to expect: The return of the winter beach fest throws up the usual lineup of ETC., P.O.P, Watcharawalee, Tattoo Colour and Mild.
Note: Wear black if you’re single, white if you’re not.
NORTH
Chiang Mai Jazz Festival #4
Date: Dec 19-20
Location: Promenada Resort Hall, Chiang Mai
Price: B750 (1-Day Pass), B1,200 (2-Day Pass)
What to expect: A low-key gathering of international acts such as Martin Taylor, Alison Burn and Malene Mortensen, plus locals.
Magic Music at Monterey
Date: Dec 27
Location: Monterey Park Resort, Pichit
Price: B1,000
What to expect: What’s said to be the province’s first music festival will take place on foggy Nokyung Mountain. Acts include the usual festival fare such as Palmy and Lipta Duo, as well as lesser-knowns Bedroom Audio, Sundaydrive and Leo. Camping is free.
Overcoat Music Festival
Date: Dec 6
Location: Khao Kho, Phetchaboon
Price: B1,500
What to expect: There are countless romantic winter music festivals held across the country, taking advantage of the cooler temperature and the beautiful, mountainous upcountry scenery. This is possibly the biggest one of its kind, returning for the fifth year. The lineup includes Tor Saksit, Singto Numchok, Musketeers, Lipta, 25 Hours and Ben Chalatit. Part of the proceeds go to Krungsri Simple to Share Charity Project. Private vans from Bangkok can be arranged at B1,100 per seat. Don’t forget to bring your winter gear, as temperatures often hover around 13 degrees Celsius.
Chiang Khan Countdown
Date: Dec 31
Location: Phu Thok (Phu Mountain), Loei
Price: B1,200 (ticket only), plus B699 (tent and camping space) or B100 (camping space only)
What to expect: A music festival supposedly for people ready to shed their single status. Expect local cuisine, traditional games and performances by Bedroom Audio, Jetsetér, Singto Numchok, Lula, Scrubb and Boom Boom Cash.
Q&A
Arcadia creator Pip Rush Jansen
How did you come up with the 360-degree design for the spider?
We think there is a strong link between tribal gatherings that have been happening since the beginning of civilization, how we design stages for live performances, and the music that’s played. The Spider was our solution: we wanted to create an amazing experience that ignites all the senses and blows minds. It’s operated by an amazing crew of crane operators and aerialists.
Why have you chosen to bring the stage to Bangkok?
We came here a few years ago for the Songkran Festival. We thought it was such a great party, and we had such a great time, but it definitely didn’t have enough fire and was in need of a mechanical spider. It also wasn’t too difficult bringing everything here. We simply pressed a button and it folded up and took off like a rocket. The landing was a little tricky.
Do you have any future global plans for Arcadia?
It would be great to make Bangkok the spider’s yearly holiday rave-up, but I think Glastonbury will always be our home. Of course, we want to take the stage production even further. We just need bigger scraps of metal.
NORTHEAST
Voice of Love Music Festival
Date: Nov 29
Location: Phutara Resort, Nakhon Ratchasima
Price: B1,200 (ticket only) plus B600 (tent and camping space) or B300 (camping space only)
What to expect: Love ballads from ETC, Tattoo Colour, Super Baker, Ben Chalatit and Yong Armchair amid the freshest air in the country.
Feet on the Ground
Date: Dec 27
Location: Play La Ploen Boutique Resort & Adventure Camp, Burirum
Price: B1,200 (ticket only) plus B600 (tent and camping space) or B200 (camping space only)
What to expect: Dance barefoot among the tulips this winter with festival regulars Stamp, Singto Numchok, Armchair, Scrubb and Better Weather as well as Songkran from The Voice and Bell from Thailand’s Got Talent. An alternative way to spend your ultimate weekend of the year with some decent music in a floral atmosphere.
Keep on the Grass #3
Date: Jan 31, 2015
Location: Phu-Uthai, Saraburi
Price: B1,500 (B1,000 presale), including camping spot. Tickets available at: www.fb.com/keeponthegrassmusicfestival.
What to expect: The third instalment of the breezy folk fest from the people behind Stone Free Festival promises a folk-heavy lineup consisting of the likes of Tugsuk, Young Man & the Sea and Folk White, proving yet again that everything’s better on grass.
WEST
Season of Love Song 5
Date: Nov 29
Location: Veneto Floating Market, Ratchaburi
Price: B1,300 (ticket only) plus B650 (tent and camping space) or B400 (camping space only)
What to expect: Mild, Watcharawalee, 2Days Ago Kids, Palmy and Scrubb perform their lovelorn ballads in Suan Pheung, famous for its themed-resorts. Return coach tickets from Bangkok available at B450.
Yesterday Once More Retro Music Festival
Date: Dec 6
Location: Centennial Park, Intercontinental Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan
Price: B2,000-B4,000
What to expect: This 80s music festival promises blasts from the past from the likes of Nuvo and The Beatle Nuts.
Melody of River Season 3
Date: Dec 13
Location: Mida Resort, Kanchanaburi
Price: B1,200
What to expect: Another quaint romantic music festival featuring Boy Peacemaker, Zeal, Musketeer, Koh Mr. Saxman, Mr. Team and many more, all beside the River Kwai.
So in Art/So in Love 2014
Date: Dec 13
Location: The Scenery Vintage Farm, Ratchaburi
Price: B1,200
What to expect: The picturesque farm will be lit up to welcome a musical lineup of Lipta, Ben Chalatit, Nicole Terio and Nuvo, who’ll perform among all the cute sheep.
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