Multinational Music Reverberates at Maho Rasop (Photos)

Tontrakul Kaewyong of his Isaan-inspired instrumental music project Tontrakul riffed his naga-headed phin.
Tontrakul Kaewyong of his Isaan-inspired instrumental music project Tontrakul riffed his naga-headed phin.

The crowd roared as the “Gizz Wiz” rocked on the main stage for just over an hour when the keyboardist left his station, grabbed a mic, hopped on a speaker and crowd-surfed over the fans. 

Over on the middle stage, Tontrakul beamed Isaan culture through every flick of his naga-headed phin and breath through his khaen mouth organ. Before him, the audience formed a mini dance troupe of serng, the joyous northeastern folk dance. 

Over on the smallest of the three stages (the only indoor) at this past weekend’s Maho Rasop Festival, Canadian rapper Bbno$ bragged about his Tesla, worked the crowd with his frivolous-yet-infectious track Shining on My Ex, before jumping off the stage to swag and bump with his bouncing disciples.

Bombay Bicycle Club, Swim Deep Among Headliners at ‘Maho Rasop’ Fest 2019 

There was music for everyone at Maho Rasop’s packed second outing at Bangkok’s Live Rama IX. The diverse, impressive lineup — acts both renowned and on-the-rise — coupled with quality production values made for Bangkok’s best outdoor, international music festival in memory.

See some of its highlights and moments.

Ambrose Kenny-Smith and friends of Aussie psychedelic rock band King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard perform Saturday at the Maho Rasop Music Festival in Bangkok.
Ambrose Kenny-Smith and friends of Aussie psychedelic rock band King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard perform Saturday at the Maho Rasop Music Festival in Bangkok.
Ambrose Kenny-Smith of King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard joins the crowd during the song “The Bitter Boogie”
Ambrose Kenny-Smith of King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard joins the crowd during the song “The Bitter Boogie”
“It’s lit,” said Cavan McCarthy, bassist of English indie rock band Swim Deep

“It’s lit,” said Cavan McCarthy, bassist of English indie rock band Swim Deep
Despite being jetlagged from traveling on tour, rising Thai star “Lover Boy” Phum Viphurit made it back home and onto the festival’s main stage with his sweet, soulful vocals.
Canadian rapper Bbno$ showed up on stage with his funky, trap “oxymoronical rap” game.
That dance move! The Drums’ frontman Jonathan Pierce shows off his wiggling moves in slow motion.
The first time British rockers The Horrors performs in Thailand. “It won’t be another 15 years for us to come here,” said frontman Faris Badwan.
“Next song is called ‘World I Share,’” Swim Deep singer Austin Williams announced. “It’s hot.”
DJ Maft Sai geeking out on the deck, spinning his funk, luk thung and molam music.
After a three-year hiatus, the reunited English indie band Bombay Bicycle Club came to Thailand for the first time and ended the festival with hits such as “Eat, Sleep, Wake (Nothing But You)” and “Always Like This.”



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