These festivals have got everything from indie performances, soulful R&B dancing to EDM excitement - time to book your tickets
Music festivals in Asia are getting bigger and more diverse each year. Whether you’re into up-and-coming bedroom pop music like Mellow Fellow and Pizzagirl, good old rock and indie music such as Beach Fossils and Wolf Alice or even R&B, EDM, soul music, these festivals can’t be missed. Last but not least, expect more than just music – such as art installations, film screenings and eco-friendly activities to make your time even sweeter.
Top music festivals in Asia in 2019
Garden Beats Festival, Singapore
Presented by Sunshine Nation, Singapore’s first picnic and music festival Garden Beats Festival is set to take place at Fort Canning Park on 9 March. Featuring up-and-coming artists of genres ranging from indie, R&B to electroniclike Pomo, Youngr, as well as inspiring eco ambassadors to deliver a series of talks in their new Conscious Circle, this carbon-neutral festival is perfect for those who would like to make a meaning green impact.
Check out what to do in Singapore (beyond the merlions!)
Garden Beats Festival, 9 March, Fort Canning Park, Singapore, 新加坡福康寧公園
Sónar Hong Kong
Founded in Barcelona in 1994, Sónar has become one of the most cutting-edge arts, design and electronic music festivals. Returning for its 3rd edition in Hong Kong on 13 April, Sónar features a curated mix of artists including electronic DJs, underground techno/house and ambient musicians like Floating Points and Mount Kimbie. There will also be workshops, talks, virtual reality and new media for those who fancy creative technology. It’s definitely more than just popular dance music.
Get to know these Hong Kong bands while you’re here.
Sónar Hong Kong, 13 April, Hong Kong Science Park, 2 Science Park West Avenue, Sha Tin, Hong Kong, 新界沙田香港科學園
Ultra Music Festival, Singapore
EDM fans, this is one of the largest music festivals in Asia you can’t miss. Having showcased an array of established DJs and producers like DJ Snake, Above & Beyond, the internationally-renowned Ultra Music Festival has taken place in different Asia cities, including Seoul, Bali, Tokyo, Singapore and Hong Kong. While the dates for its Hong Kong stop in 2019 aren’t confirmed yet, Ultra Music Festival Singapore will be taking place at Ultra Park on 8-9 June.
Heading to the Red Dot for Ultra? Don’t miss these great vegetarian restaurants in Singapore
Ultra Music Festival Singapore, 8-9 June, Ultra Park, 1 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore, 新加坡灣景道1號Ultra Park ; Ultra Music Festival Hong Kong, TBA
Fuji Rock Festival, Japan
Fuji Rock Festival has been one of the most well-known three-day music festivals in Asia since 1997. Boasting some of the world’s greatest artists such as Radiohead, Bob Dylan, Björk, music fans of all kinds – rock, folk, indie, hip hop, jazz – are guaranteed to have a good time. Taking place at Naeba Ski Resort from 26-28 July, the festival grounds allow guests to take in the beauty of the surrounding forests and sparkling streams, and it’s known for being the cleanest festival in the world.
And maybe afterwards you might want to try climbing Mount Fuji!
Fuji Rock Festival, 26-28 July, Naeba Ski Resort, Yuzawa-cho, Niigata Pref., 日本新潟縣苗場滑雪場
Pentaport Rock Festival
Held annually in Incheon, South Korea at the end of July, the three-day Pentaport Rock Festival is one of the most supported music events in South Korea. Presenting various genres of music but mostly rock and electronic-based – including bands like Nine Inch Nails and Suchmos – the festival focuses on five aspects: music, passion, environmentally friendly, DIY and friendship.
While you’re there, why not check out some of these festivals in South Korea
Pentaport Rock Festival, TBA, Pentaport Park, Incheon, South Korea, 南韓仁川松島月光慶典公園
Summer Sonic Festival, Japan
As one of the two most celebrated music festivals in Japan alongside Fuji Rock, Summer Sonic is set to take place on 18-19 August in Osaka and Chiba simultaneously. While Summer Sonic features a large number of chart-topping pop bands, its sister festival SonicMania which takes place the night before Summer Sonic features a more diverse range of huge indie bands like My Bloody Valentine and Flying Lotus. Either way, it’s one of the music festivals in Asia that is worth checking out at least once in your life.
Summer Sonic Festival, 18-19 August, (Chiba) Zozo Marine Stadium, 1 Mihama, Mihama Ward, Chiba Prefecture, 日本千葉県千葉市美浜区美浜1; (Osaka) Maishima Sonic Park, Osaka, Japan, 日本大阪舞洲Sonic Park
Concrete & Grass Festival, China
As China’s grooviest music festival, Concrete & Grass Festival takes place in September every year. Their music lineup goes deep and wide, featuring everything from pop acts to emo, shoegaze, punk and metal bands like Slowdive and Ringo Deathstarr. Not to mention the venue, Shanghai Rugby Football Club, is a wonderfully intimate space with lush fields of real grass to relax on.
Concrete & Grass Festival, TBA, Shanghai Rugby Football Club, No. 2700 Zhang Yang Road (North), Pudong, Shanghai, China, 浦東新區張楊北路2700號上海瑞可碧橄欖球運動俱樂部
Clockenflap
Grown to be the biggest music festival in Hong Kong since 2008, Clockenflap Festival is all about music, arts, films and food. Not only can you expect a stellar lineup featuring talented international bands like Alvvays and Wolf Alice, there are also a great selection of art installations, film screening sessions and vintage markets. It’s absolutely one of our favourite music festivals in Asia.
Clockenflap, 22-24 November, Central Harbourfront Event Space, 9 Lung Wo Road Central, Central District, Hong Kong, 中環海濱活動空間
ZoukOut, Singapore
ZoukOut is one of the largest dusk to dawn dance music festivals in Asia. Usually set to take place in December, ZoukOut brings the region’s most well-known DJs and world-class producers to the great Siloso Beach in Singapore. ZoukOut runs over sixteen hours with the festival ending at sunrise – exciting much?
ZoukOut, TBA, Siloso Beach, Sentosa, Singapore, 新加坡聖淘沙島西樂索海灘
Wonderfruit, Thailand
Fusing music, wellness and culture together, Wonderfruit in Thailand is one of the most popular eco-friendly music festivals in Asia. Expect immersive music performances, as well as a comprehensive array of art installations, wellness talks and workshops to recharge your body, mind and soul in December!
Wonderfruit, 12-16 December, Siamcountry 3 (after Siam Country Club Waterside) at 50 Moo 9 T. Banglamung, Pong, Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri, 20150, Thailand, 泰國芭堤雅Siam Country Club
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