Djakarta Warehouse Project (DWP) 2012 successfully scored Jakarta on December 7^th 2012. Brought some big names to town like Avicii, Calvin Harris, and Paul Van Dyk really prove that DWP 2012 really is the biggest dance music festival in Indonesia. With a very unique and interesting concept by putting three major stages at Istora Senayan Jakarta, really gave us another experience in enjoying an EDM (Electronic Dance Music) festival. In a cooperate with Djarum Super MLD, Ismaya Live brought this year’s festival with “Escape, Celebrate, Dance” for the theme. When we entered the venue, we were welcomed by a big square covered with an LCD on each side of it.

At the Surya MLD, Angger Dimas, one of the local heroes who has done some work with noted DJ such as Tiesto and Steve Aoki, was on board to give some warming up tunes before Calvin Harris hopped in.

Right at 1 AM, the world’s EDM star finally on board, “Hello,Jakarta! This is me Calvin Harris…” opened Calvin Harris before he played his set. 15 minutes after he opened the set, rain started pouring, we thought the crowd would be dashing out since Surya MLD stage was an outdoor venue, but we stand corrected, the crowd kept dancing like rain was the last thing they had to worry on that marvelous night. Calvin Harris played his tracks like Awooga, You Used to Hold Me, Flashback, and also his featuring track with Rihanna, We Found Love.

The closure for the night was Avicii, it was really fun to catch Avicii for the second time in 2012. In April, Avicii shook Jakarta at Fairgrounds, as what we experience from his previous visit to Jakarta, we know this time at DWP, the craziness will be two-fold. Avicii got on deck at 2.30 AM. Obviously, people had to wait longer to bust some moves for his Levels, because Avicii put it as the final shot. When Levels’ intro blasted the stereo, the crowd did a massive choir along with “Oh, sometimes I get a good feeling, yeah I get a feeling that I never, never, never, never had before, no no I get a good feeling, yeah” and the situation got more radical when the confetti shot to crowd in a splash of a magnificent lighting.

Djakarta Warehouse Project 2012 is a serious competitor for Singapore’s Zouk Out, despite of the very strategic location in Jakarta, DWP keep bringing the greater dimension every year. The another thing is, DWP is different with the typical of rave party which used to be held in town. Usually, rave party is located in the northern side of Jakarta, Ancol. But DWP held it at the downtown side of Jakarta which makes it more accessible.

We did the same thing as the festival told us to do “Escape, Celebrate, Dance”. Magnificent lighting, amazing crowd, head-spinning sets, three major stages, laser shot, world-class EDM artists, a cannon of confetti, and the best executor was THE RAIN! Djakarta Warehouse Project 2012 gave it all more than you have asked. See you in Djakarta Warehouse Project 2013!  (Alcander Alonzo)

Thursday 23^rd August, a dull, bleak day with what could only end up a bright outcome. Setting off on the laborious coach journey from Belfast to Dublin, couldn’t help but feel like a scientist on the edge of a life changing discovery. Arriving at the bus stop in Dublin City Centre we saw the vast crowd of Kasabian fans, waiting eagerly to make the short journey from the City Centre to Marlay Park.

It was clear from the bus journey the atmosphere would be electric, speakers belting out Kasabian classics, almost able to be heard over the loud fans religiously singing lyric for lyric every song. Oasis songs were sung like hymns for the youth just as they were upon release over a decade ago, as relevant as ever. We departed the bus and made the short walk to Marlay Park. The venue was deceitfully tranquil as we all know that once the Leicester boys take to the stage tranquil would be far from the right adjective.

First up were the Wakefield trio of crazy brothers, The Cribs. For those unfamiliar The Cribs are a big sounding three piece combining catchy indie riffs, reminiscent of those played by ex-Smiths guitarist and temporary Cribs member Johnny Marr, with the raw almost grungey sounds of Nirvana to create a unique sound. Opening on single ‘Come On Be A No-One’ from their latest 4^th studio album ‘In The Belly Of A Brazen Bull’. Known as an exciting live band, The Cribs didn’t disappoint, they rattled through several new songs as well as classics ‘I’m A Realist’ ‘Hey Scenesters’ and ‘Mens Needs’ while Ryan casually smoked through almost as many cigarettes as they played hits. After finishing ‘City of Bugs’ Ryan proceeded to throw his signature green Fender Jaguar at his amp several times before detuning and playing us a dirty out of tune solo through high feedback. Proper Rock ‘n’ Roll way to end a quality set, the Jarmans have that rockstar quality that has been somewhat lacking in many more popular bands around currently.

An anxious wait followed the Cribs set, as you could sense the excitement build up for Noel Gallagher’s set. Upon taking to the stage Noel thanked the crowd for coming out before going straight into ‘It’s Good To Be Free’ with an overly bass driven sound, overpowering his vocals throughout. After requesting to his roadie to have this fixed before he played another song, it was sorted or so we thought. After only a few bars of the ‘Don’t Believe The Truth’ album track, Noel’s vocals were abruptly cut as were the rest of the electronics. Noel staying in good spirits tried testing his microphone before the band left the stage for the error to be resolved. After a lot of angry chants and a prolonged wait Noel and co returned to stage only for the same problem to reoccur yet again, the band leaving the stage more swiftly, out of what seems frustration at the lacklustre venue. More angry chants ensued, as well as a tension as to whether the issue could be resolved in time for the High Flying Birds to complete their set. As the skies opened it looked as if this wasn’t to be the organisers, or fans day. Many raindrops and busy looking roadies later, Noel took to the stage, 3^rd time lucky. After joking “All it needed was 50p in the metre” they launched into the popular single ‘Everybody’s On The Run’ with the tension being released through the energy of the crowd, many singing word for word a song from a support act, a rare occurrence normally, but Noel Gallagher is the exception to many rules. Russell Pritchard’s backing vocals help add a new dimension to many of the songs live including ‘Everybody’s On The Run’ when him and Noel sing in perfect harmony. He then played the upbeat ‘Dream On’ which had the crowd jumping and then the romantic sing-along of If I Had a Gun, sung beautifully by Noel, and slightly less beautifully by the crowd, but very loudly nonetheless . His acoustic version of the first Oasis single ‘Supersonic’ went down a treat as did ‘Talk Tonight’ and ‘Half The World Away’ before finishing up on ‘Whatever’ and the stadium anthem ‘Don’t Look Back In Anger’ with a little help from the Marlay Park crowd, Noel left the chorus for the crowd to shout word for word a song he probably barely remembers writing back to him. The influence of this song was a reminder for us all just why Noel had cheekily set his ‘God-Like Genius Award’ on top of his amp during his set, some may say that putting the like in is pointless,  a God to many.

Now for the big one, the one everyone has been waiting for, the world has been waiting for it seems.  The NGHFB’s gear was swiftly  moved off stage to make way for Kasabian. As the sun and many beers went down everyone stared corner stage waiting for Tom, Serge, Chris and Ian to come on stage and blast into their favourite songs. Casually walking on Kasabian sent the crowd mental before powering into ‘Days Are Forgotten’ off new album ‘Velociraptor!’ sending the crowd into pandemonium, arms flailing, vocals shouted and people being pushed around left right and centre, chaos. The band then launched into fan favourite the Glam Rock of the empire era ‘Shoot The Runner’ with the catchy guitar riff being sung along to by the passionate crowd. The band then rattled through the bassy Velociraptor! And huge single Underdog before getting the crowd jumping again to ‘Where Did All the Love Go?’ before giving us time to recover with a rendition of the ‘E.T.’ theme tune leading into opening track of ‘Velociraptor!’ ‘Let’s Roll Just Like We Used To’ giving Tom’s powerful vocals a chance to shine over the minimal guitar part of the verses. The lights then went green and anyone who has seen Kasabian before knew what was coming, I.D! The synth based song with the trippy lighting and the mesmerising grooves of Ian Matthews drums is an experience to be had live. Tom sings ‘Music is my, my love’ a fitting lyric, true of everyone in attendance. Tom then leaves the stage, letting Serge take the spotlight with his vocals on the upbeat psychedelia of Take Aim before performing a beautiful rendition of the Korgis track ‘Everybody’s Gotta Learn Sometime’. Tom then rejoined his band mates on stage and said ‘This one’s and old man from when we were young, I’m an old man now” before the intoxicating Club Foot riff kicked in, Serge chanting ‘Mosh pit, mosh pit!’ and Serge was obeyed as disorder broke out, everyone wildly jumping about. Then then played Re-Wired and old favourite Empire and everyone was glad for a rest as Tom dedicated a cover of Fatboy Slim-Praise you to Noel Gallagher, a hats off from his band to one of their main influenes, before a genius transition into the athematic L.S.F. Receiving an overwhelming roar from the crowd. The ‘na na na’ part of the song was sung for minutes after the music had stopped and the band left the stage. What a show that was, but there was more to come. As deafening chants of ‘Ole Ole Ole Ole’ rung around the park the band rejoined us, Tom mouthing the Ole’s making the crowd even louder. The haunting switchblade smiles kicked in before Chris Edwards pounding bass echoed for miles, so loud you could feel it hit your chest. When the song kicked in so did everyone’s jumping, it was as if you were playing rugby and had the ball, insane.  Serge requested for the whole field to jump when the next song kicked in before the unmistakeable ‘Vlad The Impaler’ bassline tore through the air, before everyone flung themselves about chanting ‘Get loose, get loose!’ as the electronic breakdown kicked in Serge instructed everyone to go as mental as they had ever gone before, and once again his command was adhered to, the crowd going as nuts as a crowd I’ve ever seen. The end was near, we all know what was coming, you could feel it burning, Fire! From the opening note is was obvious why this is a fan favourite, and when the chorus hit everyone was bouncing in unison, trying their best to sing the high ‘ooh ooh ooh ooh’s’ despite many, myself included having lost their voice far earlier in the set. As the song ended, the band reprised it, bringing the loudest crowd participation of the night.

 A fantastic set by one of Britain’s biggest bands at the minute, seeing them live makes it all the more clear why they were nominated for the ‘Best British Band’ Brit award. The support line-up is definitely one to beat for future gigs, with two outstanding bands warming the crowd up despite the number of technical difficulties. In conclusion a poor venue for an unforgettable gig.

written by Chris Hanna
photos by owen

McGuinness has become a phenomenal since his self-titled album in 2008 and received positive reviews from many medias such as Drowned in Sound, NME, and BBC. In the following year, with his brother he began to start a new band called Eugene + the Lizard  with ’Glue’.

The Invitation to The Voyage contains ten songs, starting with Harlequinade which have a bit of 80s tunes and slice of rock and roll that matches withShotgun. As you listen to Lion, you can hear the charismatic side of McGuiness and probably the strongest song that can describe his British vocal character. For the last song he use Japanese Cars, an up-beat and catchy song filled with innuendo, which probably is about a topsy-tervey night out with the wrong people and suffering the consequences. 

Over all this album gives a nice touch of disco synth and new wave sound, which makes your feet reluctant to stop dancing while listen to it.

Get ready for one of the best annual events in the city, Djakarta Warehouse Project 2012 is coming right to you on December 7^th 2012. From the successful and hypeful euphoria that happened in the last edition of Djakarta Warehouse Project (DWP), this year’s installment will be much bigger than you have expected. By using “Indonesia’s Biggest Dance Music Festival” as its tagline, Ismaya Live have promised some tremendous names to headline DWP 2012.

By the time they posted the teaser video for DWP 2012, we surely know this festival will be massive and going to be the cherry on top in the end of 2012. And also by each day they reveal one by one of the lineups for this year, we are really surprised that they are not only bringing two or three big names, but eight names! The lineups are Avicii, Calvin Harris, Paul Van Dyk, Markus Schulz, A-Trak, Porter Robinson, Brodinski, and Gesaffelstein. Some local names will also pump DWP 2012, let’s mention Anton Wirjono and Hogi Wirjono).

The first group for presale ticket is already sold out just in couple of hours, that’s definitely the thing that we don’t wonder since some cool djs like Avicii (his last show in Jakarta was also sold out), the current most wanted Dj from Scotland slash Calvin Harris, and Paul Van Dyk are participating for this year’s installment. But wait, did us tell you that there are gonna be more lineups to be announced soon? Yes! There will bunch of good names who will wait for you in this festival. And we are so excited to get the full lineups to be revealed. But no worries, the second group for presale tickets will start soon. Plus, another great news, Ismaya Live will pick 20 lucky winners out of the first two thousand people who have bought the presale tickets to get a meet and greet session with any of DWP 2012’s lineups, and you are ALLOWED to pick which artist for this session.

Djakarta Warehouse Project 2012
December 7^th 2012
Istora Senayan Jakarta
Presale 1          : Rp. 375.000 (SOLD OUT)
Presale 2          : Rp. 450.000

For further information, please visit www.djakartawarehouseproject.com
Ps: Considering that this is an 18+ event, make sure that you are above 18 to attend this festival. If you are not, don’t bother to buy, because strict rules are applied at the entrance gate.

Chairlift, Something 

Its been a while since we listen to their Bruises hits song, but wait no more cause this New York Band will released their 2nd album this january 23(UK) and 24(US) by Columbia/Young Turks. The track also includes Sidewalk Safari, Met Before, Guilty as Charge, Cool as Fire and many cool tunes that we also cant hardly wait.

Of Montreal, Paralytic Stalks 

Maybe beside their Cirque du Soleil, what’s best Canada can offer is this rock band Of Montreal. Still with their psychedelic marauders theme and numerous amount of members, Paralytic Stalks will be released on Feb 7th. Recorded at Kevin Barnes’s home studio and collaborating with woodwind/brass player Zac Cowell.

The album will includes a seven minute orchestral pop epic song “Wintered Debts” which you can see below, “Gelid Ascent,” “Spiteful Intervention,” “Dour Percentages,” “We Will Commit Wolf Murder,” “Malefic Dowery,” “Ye, Renew the Plaintiff,” “Exorcismic Breeding Knife,” and “Authentic Pyrrhic Remission.”

Sleigh Bells, Reign of Terror

Reign of Terror is expected to drop in February, so does all hipsters over the world are going to give craps over this new release – no offence. Listen to the their first single, “Born to Lose”

Blondes, Blondes

After last year’s EP album ‘Touched’, this duo Sam Haar and Zach Steinman will release their two disc debut album RVNG Intl, on Feb 7th. The album will including their previous vinyl songs such as Lover, Pleasure and Wine, Water, and remixes by JD Twitch, Laurel Halo, and also Teengirl Fantasy.

Heartless Bastards, Arrow

This will be the band’s first album to be released under their new Brooklyn ‘indie’ label, Partisan Records on Valentine’s day. The band will be appear at SXSW to support their new album.

School Of Seven Bells, Ghoststory

The amped-up vibe of Ghoststory, due February 28th, is partly due to when it was recorded — between gigs on the band’s tour with Interpol earlier this year. “We brought the energy from our shows straight back home,” says Curtis, who sketched out tunes in the Brooklyn apartment he shares with singer Alejandra Deheza. “The idea was to write really quickly and not second guess anything.” -spin

The Magnetic Fields, Love at the Bottom of the Sea

Still with some of their previous albums theme, the 90s synth and adding some pop melodic like their 69 Love Songs, this new album Love at the Bottom of the Sea will be released on March 6. Same as Heartless Bastards the band will also be appear at SXSW to support the album.

Santigold, Master of My Make Believe

Santi White aka Santigold aka Santogold had released her first debut album three years ago and collaborate with many musician since such as Kanye West, Christina Aguilera, M.I.A, Lykke Li, Beastie Boys till Karen O of Yeah Yeah Yeahs. With her performance at Clockenflap which we had review on our tweets was a big hell a show, we definitely can expect something big for her second album on this Spring.

The Shins, Port of Morrow

We love them since their first album in 2007 Wincing the Night, this American indie rock band will be release on James Mercer’s own label, Aural Apothecary on March 2012.

Andrew Bird, Break It Yourself

Since his last album Noble Beast in 2009, we haven’t heard something new from this Chicago-based multi-instrumentalist, lyricist and whistler, but on March 6 Bird will released his sixth studio album Break It Yourself. The album itself is produced by Bird and recorded in Western Illinois and will be released by Mom + Pop Music. You can check his tour dates and news of the album from his website (www.andrewbird.net/)

Sigur Rós, TBA

This Icelandic post-rock band has been on hiatus since 2008, and replaced by news and songs from Jónsi Birgisson. But this year around spring, the group will be back with their new album. Lets hope their new album will sound as airy as we used to loving it.

The XX, TBA

With Mercury Prize for their first release, we surely does have high expectation of their second album. Even though they had confirmed to released it in 2012 but the date hasn’t been set out yet. but we believed you all have already listen to the demo right? what do you think about it?

Gaslight Anthem, TBA

The badass New Jersey punk rock poets are expected to come together once again to release their next album – their first after signing with their new label Mercury Records – around July of 2012. Earlier this year, Gaslight members Brian Fallon and Ian Perkins dropped Elsie, the debut album from side project, The Horrible Crowes.

Arcade Fire, TBA

2011 maybe the best year for this Montreal-based band who had won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year for The Suburbs. Their fourth album is expected to release sometime in 2012. The date is not yet set, but you will be the first to know from us once the news coming out.

Dirty Projectors, TBA

Another NY experimental band that has been quite taking our attention since their first album Orca in 2009. David Longstreth and the gang will release their 11th studio album around Spring. Lets hope the album will take our attention also this year.

Grizzly Bear, TBA

No release date has been announced for their next album, though the band stated on their Facebook page that “with all my heart and soul, I promise a new album in 2012! Unless something crazy happens. But let’s not get crazy, let’s just get creative!”.

They might be the most phenomenal indie rock band today. Their previous album Veckatimest, was too much to be appeared as the “Best of” lists for 2009 such as on Pitchfork, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, etc. So lets hope their new album will be as creative as we hope to.

Animal Collective, TBA

Baltimore may have their famous broadway dancing choir or something like that, but we may know the town from this experimental psychedelic band, which sadly now they based in New York City. With members from -i don’t have any words to describe an indie band that consist many indie bands-  Avey Tare (David Portner), Panda Bear (Noah Lennox), Deakin (Josh Dibb), and Geologist (Brian Weitz).

Portner, in an interview for Madison, revealed that they have just finished writing sessions and that they intend to start full recording sessions in January 2012 for the next album.

“We just finished another two weeks of writing sessions and put together five new songs..We’re really excited about this record … and it’s been really fun jamming with those guys again.”

Best Coast, TBA

This California garage rock / surf pop / lo-fi / indie rock band which consist of Bethany Cosentino and Bobb Bruno, will released their 2nd album sometime in summer 2012, with Jon Brion as the producer. They already announce that their first appearance will be for Big Day Out.

The Walkmen, TBA

2012 might be the year for this band to shine. After their Lisbon album on 2010, the new album will also mark the band’s 10-year anniversary, with lots of shows and a first-ever vinyl release of their 2002 debut album, Everyone Who Pretended To Like Me Is Gone (1/10). Their new album itself will be produce by Phil Ek, the same guy who produce Fleet Foxes ‘s Helplessness Blues. You can see their tour and vinyl album on their web (thewalkmen.com)

Yeasayer, TBA

Yes they are going to release not one but two full-length albums in late spring or summer 2012. Maybe because its already been a while since their Odd Blood, so they trying to make it up? jk. The band have revealed that they have more than 22 songs ready.

To SPIN, Singer Chris Keating says that “one [is] the real album with three-and-a-half to four minute pop songs, and another that’s more like a soundtrack and released on the internet.” The “real” album is purportedly made up of 3 and 4 minute pop songs. Of the sound of these songs Keating admits “if it sounds too much like something we’ve done in the past, we don’t do it.” So how does it sound, well see what you make of this; Keating says “It’s like an Aaliyah album if you played it backwards and slowed it down. Or David Bowie’s Lodger. Those two are major influences.”