The Endless Joy at Joyland Festival 2013

Gelora Bung Karno was jam-packed on Saturday (07/12/2013) where apparently several events were going on at the same time. Hustling our way through the crowd, we were heading to the one held at Taman Krida Loka. The place was kind of secluded, with no big sign nor festive flags outside. But it all changed when we walked in to the venue. Colorful buntings, hanging pineapples, and smiling Mr. and Mrs. Skeleton (who were dressed up in flowery, rather cute outfit); this year Joyland Festival is decorated as kooky Mexican festival. While we were adoring the decoration, we heard that Dried Cassava was currently performing on Stage A. People were sitting down on hemp sacks specially prepared for them to enjoy the festival picnic style. Under the big shadowy trees, the evening’s starting out delightfully.

Written on the audience booklet, “Joyland Festival is a two-day outdoor music festival located in a breezy park. It will be full of music, fun, happiness, and entertainment.” More people were coming in after the sun has set, just in time for White Shoes and the Couples Company (WSATCC). This year we have watched WSATCC shows every so often. It definitely goes at the very top on the list of Bands-We-Have-Seen-in-2013, yet it has never been boring. This night they played clips from Indonesian old movies, Tiga Dara (1956) and Ambisi (1973). If you felt familiar with the dialogues, it’s because those are the ones they covered in Skenario Masa Muda album: “…Siapa yang Salah-”, “…Foto Siapa-”, and “…Kenapa Melarang Kesenangan Saya-”. The crowd clamored when Nona Sari’s scream led to an intense outro of “Tam Tam Buku”. After WSATCC left the stage then we’re sure an encore is not gonna happen, we followed the crowd shifting to stage B. The indie-pop duo, Bandaneira, was already on stage singing songs from their first EP, Berjalan Lebih Jauh. Later they invited a fellow musician from Jogja, Gardika Gigih, adding pianica in collaboration of their guitar and glocks tunes.

Beside music gigs there were also movie screening. Hulahoop Soundings, a short movie by Edwin starring Ladya Cheryl and Nicholas Saputra, was catching audience with the dialogues of a phone-sex operator. The movie screening also gives a down time for the audience to enjoy the festival surrounding or fill our tummy. The night went on with more performance: Luky Annash with a pair of fury black wings, looking like a raven, playing gorgeous notes from his piano; Rock ‘N Roll Mafia getting us dancing shoes; and Dialog Dini Hari inducing harmonious choir of the longing crowd, as we don’t get to see them often here in Jakarta.

The Trees and The Wild (TTATW) was last to perform. It’s been a while since their latest gig. Without too much talking (even no talking at all), they brought out numbers from their upcoming album: “Serangan”, “ Tuah Sebak”, “Saija”, “Nyiur”, and “Empati Tamako”. No more Irish Girl or Fight the Future, TTATW new materials were shaped as long haul of each instruments building melodious suspense. Lyrics are set to minimum, mostly repetitive. Combined with the harmony of Remedy’s thin yet deep vocal and Tami’s powerful, high-pitched tone, TTATW delivers a hauntingly beautiful performance. By hearing this whole new package live hopefully means the album release is just around the corner.

On day 2 of the festival (08/12/13), the venue seemed to be brighter with all the little colorful lamps turned on. It started out with drizzle when Sajama Cut performed. That didn’t stop the audience from enjoying the day; what’s more romantic than watching your favorite band play while singing along under the umbrella with your loved one, right? Or, well, dancing under the rain has been proven to release serotonin that makes you happier. Seriously. So we get on our dancing shoes to the playful tunes of Sentimental Moods, continued with Bing and Polka Wars.

Later on Stage B, TigaPagi enchanted the audience with its live version of Roekmana’s Repertoire. The show’s gotten even more fulfilling when Ade Paloh joined in for the song “Alang-Alang” and Pita for “Nada Fiksi”. We thought the festival could not be more exciting than this but there were still three of the big guns for the night. Like a pingpong ball, the crowd then moved to stage A for Tika and the Dissidents. Other than “Red Red Cabaret” and “Mayday”, Tika and the Dissidents is in a mission to familiarize us with their upcoming album. It’s interesting that she narrated what’s the song about each time before they played it out. An oration delivered in the most contagious form: music. Each of the song has powerful message intertwined with blues-rock beats.

Float was up next. Meng (vocal) warmly greeted the audience and started the show with “3 Hari Untuk Selamanya”. It’s like a joyful rekindle with a long-lost friend. Catching up stories, singing it all out. Especially in the song “Sementara” which everyone always wholeheartedly sings. The set feels too short as it’s been very enjoyable. On stage A before SORE went on stage as the final act of Joyland Festival, there was short videos compilation, then Reza (guitar) revealed some of SORE’s new album material. Seems like there’ll be a lot of anticipated album for 2014!

The crowd cheered when finally SORE showed up on stage, but it was incomplete without Awan (bass, vocal). Right after the first song Awan joined the band, apparently all the whatnots before was to buy more time waiting for him to arrive. We did not mind at all, for the band gave the most numbers on setlist which included “No Fruits for Today”, “Mata Berdebu”, “Merintih Perih”, “Lihat”, “Setengah Lima”, “Essensimo”, “Karolina”, “Etalase”, “Pergi Tanpa Pesan”, “Ssst…”, and last for encore “Funk the Hole”. If the festival was a full course dinner, then this is the perfect dessert for a delightful treat.

Joyland Festival has brought local music festival to a whole new level and it’s definitely on the lead. With its interesting concept, jaw-dropping line-up, quirky-thematic decoration, reasonable ticket price, pleasant choice of venue, and the on-time schedule; everything was satisfyingly well organized. If you did not get to come to this year festival, our condolences to you because it really is an awesome weekend and you missed out a lot!

More photos here!

(Photos by Andriani, Andhika Budi, Satya Adiluhung, and Popomangun)