Another year-end festival to look forward to in Jakarta is Joyland Festival, which is making a return this month after a six-year absence.
The two-day music and arts festival, which took a lengthy break over its organizers being preoccupied with other projects, will be held at the Archery Field in Gelora Bung Karno from Saturday, Dec 7 to Sunday, Dec 8.
The festival invited several leading Indonesian creative minds to help curate the lineup: indie rock band Efek Rumah Kaca for music, writer and comedian Soleh Solihun for stand-up comedy, and filmmaker Anggun Priambodo for film.
The result is certainly a festival to get really excited about. The festival will host international acts such as American chillwave pioneer Washed Out, American indie pop-rock band Frankie Cosmos (fronted by singer-songwriter Greta Kline), Canadian indie rock band TOPS, Turin-based American experimental electronic producer Yves Tumor, Australian dream pop singer-songwriter Hatchie, and Norwegian electro-pop singer-songwriter Anna of the North.
Not to be out-hyped, local headlining acts at Joyland include pop band Naif, former VJ-turned-jazz singer Jamie Aditya, actress/jazz singer Eva Celia, rock band .Feast frontman Baskara Putra AKA Hindia, pop-jazz singer-songwriter Ardhito Pramono, singer-pianist Frau, pop duo Hondo, Bandung’s indie supergroup Mooner, as well as favorites such as The Trees & The Wild, Maliq & d’Essentials, and Barasuara.
Over on the more intimate Lily Pad stage, Efek Rumah Kaca and their curated acts — which have played at the band’s music and arts community Kios Ojo Keos — may well steal the show. These acts include husband-and-wife folk duo Endah N Rhesa, indie power pop band The Adams, pop-folk musician Sir Dandy, indie alternative band Jirapah, pop-jazz group White Shoes and The Couples Company, as well as Dialita, a choir group whose members are survivors of the 1965 Indonesian communist purge, among others.
Moving away from music, you can laugh your stress off at Shrooms Garden with performances by not only Soleh Solihun himself, but also up-and-coming and current top stand-up comedians such as Aci Resti, Awwe, Kiky Saputri, and Yusril Ihza Fahriza.
Festival-goers will get a chance to chill out and find inspiration from the Cinerillaz section, with several short films curated by Anggun from various genres, including documentary, experimental and animation. Works featured here are those released by Indonesian filmmakers and artists in the past two years.
At the White Peacock tent, you can sit in and listen to stories and talks by writer Reda Gaudiamo, former news anchor Najwa Shihab, and author Ariyo Zidni featuring jazz trio NonaRia. If you’re feeling artsy, you can join an art workshop by artist Eko Nugroho Art Class, where making eco-friendly pouches and colorful tumblers are an option.
You can still get your tickets on Kiostix and offline at Kios Ojo Keos in Lebak Bulus, South Jakarta, starting from IDR200,000 (daily early entry before 3pm), IDR350,000 (normal price), 2-day pass at IDR600,000, and group tickets for 5 people at IDR2,500,000. For more information, you can check Joyland Festival’s Instagram and official website.
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