Wonderfruit festival has announced the phase 1 lineup for its second edition, set to take place Dec 17-20. In an effort to shed its "music festival" reputation, the event's initial lineup of performers is arguably upstaged by extra-curricular announcements. Still, festival-goers can expect live performances by The Submotion Orchestra, Howie B, Dapayk Solo, The Faint, Desktop Error, Mahajamreon and Polycat, while the highlight act is experimental electronic artist Jon Hopkins x Chris Levine presenting the iy_project. More than 30 acts are said to be announced in the coming months. Other highlights include Duangrit Bunnag's so-called The Pavilion, which is expected to be a botanical garden. The food lineup, too, is more extravagant than last year's, with those confirmed including an event called Farm to Feasts by Asia's No. 1 Restaurant Gaggan and pop-ups by some of Bangkok's finest, like the hip Knock BKK, Rocket and Peppina. For those that haven't got early bird tickets, wonderfruitfestival.com is now live, offering luxury camping options like last year. There are also more accommodating ticket options for adults, teens and families, with full passes and weekend passes available.  

The Fields of Siam Country Club, Pattaya. 

 

Since the initial announcement back in July, fans have been expressing their concerns with the departure of Big Mountain Music Festival #7 from the original venue at Bonanza, Khao Yai. The new location appears to be even further away from Bangkok, without many accommodation options in the vicinity for those not looking to camp overnight on-site. The drive to Kaengkrachan Country Club, Phetchaburi, takes roughly about the same time from Bangkok, and is around 40 minutes away from Hua Hin. Dec 19-20 will be the seventh edition of the iconic festival, an annual gathering of some of the biggest acts across all genres in the Thai music scene, performing across multiple music zones. The lineup for this year is on the way, but some of the acts from last year included: Palmy, Potato, Thaitanium, Sqweez Animal, Aof Pongsak, Scrubb, Apartment Khunpa, Flure, Greasy Cafe, Joey Boy, Inspirative, and Aire. The organizers are hinting an even bigger show this year. Tickets will still be B2,000, to be released in October. For the latest updates, see www.bigmountainmusicfestival.com. 

Kaengkrachan Country Club, Phetchaburi.

 

The organizers of Thailand's only independent music festival, Stone Free Music Fest, have announced a comeback this year, after a short break last year. This will be the fourth edition of the fest, scheduled for Dec 11-13 at Khao Wong, Saraburi. If you're a fan of Psych-Out Music Fest, Keep On The Grass Folk Music Fest or even Noise Market, here's one not to miss. Though there's no word yet on which artists will be taking to the grassy, open-air stage or ticket prices, past experience should tell you to expect plenty of indie artists (everyone from from Stylish Nonsense and Yellow Fang to The Sticky Rice and Abstraction XL). Earlybird tickets are B1,000. General tickets are B1,500. Fans can also vote for six bands that they want to see perform at the fest at fb.com/StoneFreeMusicFestival. 

 

Cat Radio's biggest annual music festival will take place on Nov 14-15. The theme this year is Cat Expopo Tamus, and the fest will feature a huge list of bands and artists across all indie record labels at Wonder World Fun Park. Over half of the full lineup has been announced, with highlights including Goose, Polycat, Greasy Cafe, Hugo, Proud, Ornaree, The Kidnappers, Inspirative, Monomania, Gym and Swim, The Parkinson, Slur, Harigeum Zaboy, The Jukks, Yellow Fang and Young Man and the Sea. Veteran acts like Flure, Thaitanium, Paradox, Crescendo and Apartment Khun Pa will also take the stage. There will also be lots of stalls selling Thai records and handmade products, plus free screenings, in addition to the four music stages. “Early cat” tickets are B600, available for sale on Oct 1-3. B1,200 thereafter at 7-Eleven Convenience Stores. More updates at www.fb.com/thisiscatradio. 

 

As if you needed another excuse to visit the Old Town, the fifth edition of the uber-popular Noise Market returns to the lawns of Museum Siam on Rattanakosin Island on the weekend of Nov 21-22. As per usual, expect all sorts of handmade, arts and crafts stalls, home decor products, cassette and vinyl stores, pop-up book shops and food and drink. There will also be indie film screenings throughout the day in the open-air amphitheater. Last year saw some pretty awesome live performances at the arty music fest from Chladni Chandi, Zweedz n' Roll, Plastic Section and Polycat. And we're excited to see this year's lineup, especially when the organizers are promising even longer stage times. Interested vendors and artists can also apply for a spot now at [email protected].