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Rock festivals: A headbanger's guide to 2010
The best guitar-hero gatherings taking place next year that no true heavy metal or hard rock fan in Asia should miss
Bang! Your! Head! At these rock festivals in 2010.Asia rocks, and hard. Nearly every major city hosts an annual festival that draws world-famous bands and tens of thousands of fawning fans. Most of the 2010 lineups have yet to be announced, but it’s best to start planning early as tickets and accommodations go fast. Here’s everything you need to know to headbang at the altar of your rock gods.
Where: Bangalore Palace Grounds, Bangalore
When: February 20-21, 2010
Website: http://www.rockinindia.com
2010’s headliners remain shrouded in mystery, but the word on the street is that Judas Priest, Dream Theater and Children Of Bodom are taking the stage.
Also rumored: Swedish death metal howlers Desultory and “Vedic metal” band Rudra. (Who knew such a genre existed?)
Where: Had Yao Beach, Sattahip
When: TBA (late March 2010)
Website: http://www.ktdthailandrock.com/beach
Every year, over 35 Thai bands shout it out loud on two stages overlooking the ocean. Between sets, fans can take part in dance, rock t-shirt and tattoo paint contests.
Where: TBA (usually Beijing, but was held last year in Zhenjiang)
When: May 7-9, 2010
Website: http://www.midi-festival.com
China’s longest running rock fest has one stage for bands and another for DJs. The music blasts from 2pm to midnight and brings in close to 100,000 punters. Foreign performers have included Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics and Soundtrack Of Our Lives.
Where: Fulong Beach, Gongliao Township, Taipei
When: July 9-11, 2010
Website: http://hohaiyan.com
Now in its tenth year, Hohaiyan is a free outdoor extravaganza that brings together indie rockers such as VHS or Beta, Andrew WK and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.
Where: Naeba Ski Resort, Niigata Prefecture, Japan
When: July 23-25, 2010
Website: http://www.fujirockfestival.com
Fuji is the largest outdoor rock event in Japan, with more than 100,000 crowd surfers and over 200 acts. Last year’s headliners were Franz Ferdinand, Oasis and Weezer.
Where: Songdo, Incheon
When: July 23-25, 2010
Website: http://www.pentaportrock.com
Big-name rock and electronic acts grace the stage at this yearly festival. Past performers include The Strokes (2006), The Chemical Brothers (2007), Underworld (2008) and Deftones (2009).
Where: Jisan Valley Ski Resort, outside of Seoul
When: TBA (late July)
Website: http://www.valleyrockfestival.com
According to The Seoul Times, Jisan has a peace-and-love atmosphere reminiscent of the hippie era. In 2009, the green-grass dance floor was packed for Fall out Boy, Jimmy Eat World, Weezer, Basement Jaxx, Patti Smith and Oasis.
Where: Tokyo and Osaka
When: Aug 6-8, 2010
Website: http://www.summersonic.com
I’m kicking myself for missing last year’s event, which was a who’s who of alt and electronic rock: Nine Inch Nails, Placebo, Aphex Twin, The Horrors. Most of the groups put on shows in both Tokyo and Osaka, so you don’t have to be in two places at once.
Where: Seoul, Korea
When: TBA (mid-August)
Website: http://www.etpfest.com
ETP is one of the best acronyms I’ve encountered. It stands for “Eerie Taiji People.” Founder Seo Tai-ji, a Korean music icon, has flown in my favorites from Japan (Hide, Maximum the Hormone) and America (Marilyn Manson).
Where: Esplanade, Singapore
When: August 20-22, 2010
Website: http://www.baybeats.com.sg
Baybeats invites not only indie strummers from all areas of Asia, but an eclectic mix of dance and metal genres. How many other festivals would embrace Meza Virs, a symphonic death metal octet from Singapore?
Where: Chitrakoot Grounds, Mumbai
When: TBA (usually mid-October)
Website: http://www.independencerock.in
I-Rock is known as the Woodstock of India. On day one, amateur performers from various regions compete for prize money and music gear. On day two, professional rockers show them how it’s done
Where: New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Shillong, Pune, Hyderabad and Kolkata
When: TBA (mid-October 2010)
Website: (Currently NA)
The name says it all: GIRF is India’s largest, loudest rock festival. Seven cities and 50,000 attendees make for an epic experience.
Where: Chiba Makuhari Messe, Japan
When: TBA (late October 2010)
Website: http://v-rockfes.com
For two days on four stages, Makuhari Messe becomes sacred ground for Visual Kei, a flamboyant genre of J-rock. Moi dix Mois, Versailles, D’espairs Ray and... Marilyn Manson? Whatever works. I reviewed the 2009 concerts here and here.
Where: Macau
When: TBA (late November 2010)
Website: http://www.rockit-hk.com and mima-events.com
Hong Kong’s Rockit festival shut down in 2006 because of permit problems. Last year, the organizers reincarnated the event as Mima Revolution and set it in Macau. The all-ages event has several twists: local bands play host to international acts, and a wide variety of performing arts are showcased.
Where: Hanoi, Hai Phong, Hue, Da Nang, Nha Trang, Da Lat, Can Tho, Dong Nai and Ho Chi Minh City
When: TBA (late November 2010)
Website: http://mobifone.com.vn/web/vn
The touring roadshow of Vietnamese rockers entertained nearly a million young people in 2009. And tickets are free. Get hooked up on Mobifone’s website.
Where: Purana Qila, New Delhi
When: TBA (mid-December 2010)
Website: http://www.sehernow.in
Rock bands from all over South Asia converge on Delhi for three days of shredding and wailing.
Where: Kuala Lumpur
When: TBA (late December 2010)
Website: http://www.rocktheworld.com.m (temporarily down)
Last year’s RTW had three stages and 60 bands from all over Asia, with everything from hard rockers to singer-songwriters.
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