Bands to Check Out at Zandari Festa 2017
Zandari Festa returns this weekend with an awesome line-up and special shows in Hongdae, Seoul, home to the trendy youth culture and indie music scene. Zandari Festa is one of the most popular international music festivals to gather and showcase music from around the world to music lovers in South Korea. Also, it is the place to network with local & international bands and industry professionals with different culture and music backgrounds. British Night and French Night are back with their second edition featuring great bands from the UK and France. Singaporean artists will be having collaborative performances with the local artists.
140 bands will come together to showcase their ground-breaking music at 10 different venues to music fans, journalists, and global industry professionals. Don’t forget to wear your comfy walking shoes as you hop from one venue to another to enjoy live music. Check out how was my memorable experience at last year’s Zandari Festa here.
Here are the recommended local bands to check out at Zandari Festa 2017, taking place from September 29 to October 1.
LudiSTELO
LudiSTELO tell their stories through their eletro-rock music, from start to finish. They will take you to experience the electro-synth and rock sounds. Listen to Sangjin’s passionate vocals along with the members’ talented skills in producing instrumental beats. Be sure to listen to Ash’s impressive guitar skills at the climax of their songs. You will appreciate more of their in-depth music with weaved layers of sounds. Don’t miss out their set including tracks from their albums ‘Experience’ (2014) and ‘Flashpoint‘ (2015). (Facebook)
The leading man Sangjin Park (Vox/Synthesizer/Producing) shared his thoughts about the Zandari Festa 2017.
Why are you excited about Zandari Festa 2017?
Zandari Festa is a big party for Korea’s indie scene, so we’re always really excited about the festival every year.
What can music fans expect from your showcase at Zandari Festa 2017?
Right now we’re arranging our set list for Zandari Festa. We want our performance to give everyone a lot of positive energy.
Why do you think Zandari Festa is good for the Korean and global indie scenes?
It’s Korea’s top showcase festival and allows bands to create new opportunities for themselves.
Other than performing, what else do you want to do at Zandari Festa 2017?
I want to meet lots of musicians from overseas and make new friends.
Blue Turtle Land
Influenced by different cultures such as Korean, Indian, Arabic and African, Blue Turtle Land takes you back to the 60s. The screaming sounds of keytar, groovy bass, and upbeat drums, inspired by classic psychedelic, blues and rock ‘n’ roll bands, showcases the modern psychedelic rock. Imagine yourself in the seas of sound and go with the flow of dynamic grooves and rhythms. (Facebook)
Ego Function Error
My first impression about Ego Function Error’s music was ‘what on earth was that’ before I watched them live at last year’s Zandari Festa. Later, I changed my mind after watching their live performance. Their music is weird, fun, and catchy. Minjung expresses crazily with her happy virus and frustrations. She mingles with the audiences in between the songs. Kook-kook is extremely crazy with mad guitar skills and unexpectedly going wild on stage. They are the cheerful and crazy band that invites everybody to join in the fun. Trust me, you will love them. I have the feeling they will be throwing in plenty of surprises during their show. (Facebook)
Here is what they said about the Zandari Festa.
Why are you excited about Zandari Festa 2017?
Minjung Kim: We always get lots of energy from this festival and love the passion we feel from the audiences in all the different venues and all of the other musicians from around the world.
What can music fans expect from your showcase at Zandari Festa 2017?
Kook-kook: They can expect a room full of energetic people. No matter how old they are, what they do, or who they are we’ll make sure that everyone is happy and has fun.
Why do you think Zandari Festa is good for the Korean and global indie scenes?
Minjung Kim: It opens more doors for musicians by giving them the chance to meet a lot of people involved in the music industry. We were able to tour in France and play at Midem in 2016 thanks to the people that we met at Zandari Festa. It’s very important for musicians to be able to share their music in different places around the world. Zandari Festa is a great option to help them do that.
Other than performing, what else do you want to do at Zandari Festa 2017?
Kook-kook: We want to promote our showcase and our band and meet lots of new people.
Third Line Butterfly
Third Line Butterfly is known for intimate vocals and sentimental guitar. Throughout their music career (1999 – present), they shift from post-modern rock to synth pop music. The shift shows their passion in experimenting and producing music while maintaining the intimacy in lyrics and rhythms. Their avant-garde music is added with layers of bold bass beats and sensual vocals. Don’t miss their live performances including tracks from latest album ‘Divided By Zero‘. (Facebook)
National Pigeon Unity
National Pigeon Unity is one of the ‘must see’ live performances to watch. You might regret if you missed them out. Just the guitar and drums, the dynamic duo with amazing chemistry and wild aura will spread across the audiences in the venue leading to a wild party. Expect a few surprises as they might throw in different genres similar to what they did at last year’s Zandari Festa. Within an hour show, they constantly play song after song non-stop, asking you to chant along to a couple of lines, and dance crazily with them. It’s a non-stop crazy rock ‘n’ roll party. (Facebook)
Guitarist and vocalist Kidohu mentioned about the Zandari Festa and their upcoming performance.
Why are you excited about Zandari Festa 2017?
Many live clubs are disappearing these days, but during Zandari Festa people support the indie scene, see lots of bands, and are able to enjoy so much good music in Hongdae. This makes us happy to see.
What can music fans expect from your showcase at Zandari Festa 2017?
They can expect a loud and perfect performance played with lots of fantastic energy by a rock ‘n’ roll duo. Come check us out once, and we’ll sure you’ll want to see us again and again.
Why do you think Zandari Festa is good for the Korean and global indie scenes?
It seems that more and more people are becoming interested in Korea’s indie scene and each year more overseas promoters are coming to Zandari Festa. This helps create more opportunities for bands to flourish and helps are scene to grow.
Other than performing, what else do you want to do at Zandari Festa 2017?
Drink, drink, drink and have lots of fun.
ABTB
Get in the mood for raw and classic rock music with ABTB led by vocalist Keunhong. Their music is influenced by 70s and 80s hard rock metal band, 90s Seattle grunge rock bands and British modern rock bands in 2000s. The heavy hardcore tunes with Keunhong coarse vocals will keep you headbanging and your heart thumping. Keep an eye out for Keunhong wild side and Hwang Rin’s mad guitar skills on stage. (Facebook)
Keun Hong spoke about their special set list and thoughts about Zandari Festa 2017.
Why are you excited about Zandari Festa 2017?
Festivals like Jisan Valley Rock Festival and Pentaport are huge, but Zandari Festa has been made specifically for indie bands. McDonald’s burgers are delicious. But homemade food is what we eat every day. To us, Zandari Festa is like homemade food. It’s good for you and you enjoy it because you it was made just right for you.
What can music fans expect from your showcase at Zandari Festa 2017?
We’ll play new songs called Free Rider and Double Think with special guests. It’s going to be really great. Come check us out!
Other than performing, what else do you want to do at Zandari Festa 2017?
This is one of the best weekends of the year in Hongdae. Come eat, drink, watch lots of music, and enjoy it with us!
DIEALRIGHT
DIEALRIGHT emphasises a lot on grunge and raw feelings being expressed in psychedelic rock. Lead singer and guitarist Sung-hwa Chae takes on with her gritty attitude and intimate vocals that make your body paralyzed. Drummer Sook-jung Bae keeps the whole intense music in place with thumping beats. Seung-il Kim’s seductive bass beats added into their music which leaves you in daze. (Facebook)
SSingSSing
SsingSsing blends Korean traditional folk vocals and contemporary rock tunes into authentic groovy music. You will not only be amazed by music but also their stage presence. Vocalists Hee-moon Lee, Da-hye Choo, and Seung-tae Shin, dressed in glamorous clothing and wigs, are daring to dance extraordinary and tease the audiences. What’s striking are their excellent stage performance, dynamic music sang with passion, and getting the audiences to dance along with their music. (Facebook)
Wasted Johnny’s
Wasted Johnny’s play classic rocks and blues that instantly makes you dance with the audiences. Vocalist and guitarist Angie’s raw vocals and fiery guitar skills together with Seon’s guitar sounds will blow your mind away. YJ’s drums and Yoon’s bass keep the tempo going in between verses. Not only they play hardcore tunes, sentimental rocks are heard which you will hear Angie’s distinctive and sentimental vocals. (Facebook)
Angie shared her passionate thoughts about Zandari Festa and her experience in touring across the UK last summer.
Why are you excited about Zandari Festa 2017?
Zandari is a place of opportunity where we can meet lots of musicians and delegates from other countries at the same time. We can discover new music and also learn about the music scenes in other countries. This makes for an interesting and fun weekend.
What can music fans expect from your showcase at Zandari Festa 2017?
Endless energy and rough stage manners! We’re going to play an awesome set at Zandari Festa. Rock ‘n’ roll lasts forever.
Why do you think Zandari Festa is good for the Korean and global indie scenes?
This festival serves as a nice bridge that can help musicians reach their goals. This year we toured in the UK and I can definitely say that the tour wouldn’t have happened without the friends we met at Zandari Festa 2016. We also played at Liverpool Sound City during our tour, and again we learned about this event from Zandari. There are many bands that want to perform around the world. For them, I recommend playing at Zandari Festa and making lots of friends at the festival with other bands and the international delegates. These people may be able to help you or give you some good advice that will help you with your goals as a musician.
Other than performing, what else do you want to do at Zandari Festa 2017?
I want to attend the opening and closing parties. I also want to go to lots of other bands’ gigs. And I want to try and meet with lots of musicians and music industry people. My dream is to go abroad again next year and perform in new cities and at new festival too.
Burning Hepburn
Dance and jump around the moshpit as Burning Hepburn is bringing in lively ska-punk and garage rock music to you. Hailed from Daejeon, Burning Hepburn is one of the most well-known ska-punks bands in Korea. They have been in the indie music scene for more than ten years. Roaring guitars, upbeat lyrics, lyrical keyboard sounds, and thumping bass & drum beats wrapped in a package of “having a good time”. They are always ready to bring plenty of excitement to the audiences. (Facebook)
Bassist Sangwoo Han shared his excitement about Zandari Festa 2017.
Why are you excited about Zandari Festa 2017?
It’s one of the largest and best music events in Korea. We’re excited to meet many music and fans and other musicians during the fest.
What can music fans expect from your showcase at Zandari Festa 2017?
We’re going to play exciting music such as punk, ska, and garage rock. It’s going to be a fun and energetic set.
Why do you think Zandari Festa is good for the Korean and global indie scenes?
Lots of different styles of indie music are presented at Zandari Festa. There’s no other music festival like it in Korea. It’s a great opportunity for Korean and international bands to connect with each other and show their music to new audiences and people involved in the music industry from all over the world.
Other than performing, what else do you want to do at Zandari Festa 2017?
We want to meet lots of new people and learn about different indie scenes from other countries.
Set your plans and check out the bands in different venues in Hongdae this weekend. Follow the updates about the Zandari Festa here.
Tags : ABTB,Blue Turtle Land,Burning Hepburn,DIEALRIGHT,Ego Function Error,LudiSTELO,music,National Pigeon Unity,SsingSsing,Third Line Butterfly,Wasted Johnny's,Zandari Festa,Zandari Festa 2017
