Marcel Thee

Mike Wilgar is giving Jakarta the blues this weekend. (Photo courtesy of JIBF)

Jakarta's International Blues Festival Takes Blues Back To It Roots

The Indonesian Blues Association is gearing up for what promises to be another fabulous International Blues Festival on Saturday.

“Back to the Roots of All Music” is the theme of this daylong festival, which is sponsored by the Djarum Super cigarette company.

With its inaugural event last year, the festival was a bit cramped, but this year four stages at Istora Gelora Bung Karno in Senayan have been devoted to accommodating the more than 30 musicians who will perform.

The lineup includes Dutch rock guitarist Jan Akkerman, Australian singer-songwriter Kara Grainger and Irish harmonica player Mike Wilgar.

Akkerman had been described as one of the best guitarists in the world, while the husky power in Grainger’s singing has led to comparisons with early Bonnie Raitt and Wilgar’s harmonica playing leans towards the Rock’n’Roll spectrum of blues.

An additional feature of the festival will be a string of musical collaborations you wouldn’t normally expect to see.

Guitarist Abdee Negara from Slank will perform with former Boomerang guitarist John Paul Ivan, as well as Andy, who sings lead vocals in the nationally popular rock band /Rif.

Legendary Jazz musician Yopie Item is scheduled to perform with his son Stevie and daughter Audy, while funk bass player and former child-singer Bondan Prakoso will perform alongside his musician father Sisco.

Oding said these cross-generational musical collisions would have some unique twists.

“They will hopefully provide a musical experience with bite,” he said.

The one-day show will also act as a launching pad for newer bands, which auditioned by uploading demos of their blues prowess to the festival’s Web site. Bands chosen will perform on the festival’s “Welcoming Stage.”

Irvan Hasyam, a blues enthusiast, said he had submitted a demo that did not make the cut, but he remained excited about the festival nonetheless.

“Last year was really packed, which shows there are a lot of local blues fans. Maybe because there’s an emotional quality to the blues that [Indonesians] can relate to in these troubled times.”

In line with the event’s inclusive nature, the blues association, also known as InaBlues, has eliminated last year’s two-tiered ticketing policy, which means ticket holders will have access to all stages.

“This will be an international-level party for blues lovers,” Oding said.

Jakarta International Blues Festival
Saturday, Nov. 7
Tickets: Rp: 100,000
Hot line 24 hours: 021 979-24722

Ticketbox:
Ina Blues Basecamp 021 7590 4349
Aquarius Mahakam 021 720 8413
Aquarius Pondok Indah 021 723 8760
Music Club PI Jakarta 021 7093 4179
Ibu Dibyo Cikini 021 319 31178/310 0386
tiketnonton.com 021 722 9535
Detik.com 021 794 4473, 031 547 4465 or 022 423 3533
Rajakarcis.com 021 828 2137

Stage 1: Jan Akkerman (Netherlands), Gugun & Blues Shelter, Mike Wilgar (UK), INA Blues All Stars, Kara Grainger (Australia/US) & Blues Train (Singapore).
Stage 2: Abdee Slank -John Paul Ivan & Andi/Rif, Gigi, Rama Satria & Electric Mojos, Stevie Audy & Jopie Items, The Dance Company, Soi Dog Blues Band (Thailand), The Changcuters, Bondan Prakoso & Fade 2 Black, Steve & Friendly Blues (Ex-Patriate Band), Discus & Bad Boys (Bandung).
Stage 3: Kiboud Maulana & Friends, Oding Nasution CS Acoustic Show, Adrian Adieoetomo, Endah & Rhesa, Yeppy Romero, Donny Suhendra & Big City, Mushroom (Bali) & Ruzan & Gig (Jogyakarta) .
Stage 4: Andre Harihandoyo & Sonic People, Ade Warman, Black Suit, The Old Brothers, Define: Devine, Ken Arok Syndicate, Wonderbra, Alligator, Valsetto, The Audio, Melodrama, Normal & EG Band.

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