Chilled out, cheered up: Jakarta does the blues
Chilled out, cheered up: Jakarta does the blues
November 8, 2009
Dian Kuswandini
The Jakarta Post
Who says the blues has to be, well, blue? It wasn't all melancholy at the second Jakarta International Blues Festival, which wrapped up Saturday with a colorful blend of sounds, putting the audience through a range of moods.
World-class performers Jan Akkerman of the Netherlands, Mike Wilgar of Northern Ireland, Kara Grainger of Australia and Blues Train of Singapore successfully won the hearts of the young and old concertgoers who packed into the Istora Senayan Stadium from noon to midnight.
The funky Blues Train, on the main stage, kicked off the festival with a soulful warm-up. The fun continued as Kara Grainger brought her distinctive blues-infl uenced country songs to the stage. And if the applause was anything to judge by, Grainger deserves a solid two thumbs up.
A different kind of bluesy mood took over as Mike Wilgar gave the audience time to chill out.
The 44-year-old had the crowd in raptures as he demonstrated his brilliant skill playing with the smallest harmonica in the world.
Closing the whole bluesy fun was guitar maestro Jan Akkerman, who left the blues die-hards satisfied.
Liany Faresta Zuwinda was one of those die-hards who felt nothing but satisfaction with the annual event.
"This festival was truly interesting," said the 29-year-old. "Blues has no tradition in Indonesia, yet we took the initiative to hold a world-class event for the blues. That was great."
Liany said the festival showed her how the blues could become appealing for young people too.
"It was surprising to see so many young people at this festival," she said, adding that she was satisfi ed with every performance.
Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo also expressed his satisfaction.
"This event truly gives Indonesian music lovers a variety of music," he said at the opening ceremony. "It can truly become an attraction for Jakarta."
The festival, themed "Back to the roots of all music", brought together about 40 local and international artists to its four stages.
Deputy head of the organizing committee, Frans Sunito, said the festival aimed to be the benchmark for blues in Indonesia, reintroducing the genre as the origin of all contemporary music.
In keeping with the "roots of all music" part of the theme, the festival included kinds of music that, although not hardcore blues, still brought a bluesy touch, showing just how the blues shapes so much of what we listen to today.
The proof of this was the performances of local musicians such as The Changcuters, Gigi, Abdee "Slank" and The Dance Company, who provided a strong bluesy feel.
Fired up by a desire to promote blues more widely, the Indonesian Blues Association, which is behind the festival, is crossing their fi ngers they will be able to bring more great bluesers to future festivals.
And so for next year's lineup?
None other than the great Eric Clapton.
So, as the organizer says, "See ya next year for more bluesy excitement!"
