Jakarta rock fest smells like teen mayhem
Jakarta rock fest smells like teen mayhem
By Jason Tedjasukmana
JAKARTA (JP): "Its my birthday," announced an excited Dave Grohl, the founder and frontman of the Foo Fighters. But the band's performance on Jan. 14 marked something much larger than just the passing of another year.
The Jakarta Pop Alternative Festival witnessed the rise of a new generation of Indonesian concertgoers and an untapped potential for music promoters the world over. Thousands of kids turned up for last Sunday's gig featuring the Foo Fighters, Sonic Youth and the Beastie Boys as well as supporting local acts Netral, Nugie and PaS.
"It's an honor for us to play here in Jakarta and we hope to make it back someday soon," muttered Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth to a thrashing crowd of sun-baked fans at Plaza Timur Senayan.
As members of New York's noise vanguard in the early 1980s, it is not surprising that Sonic Youth is among the first "alternative" acts to break onto the Jakarta scene. Though now signed to a major label, Geffen's DGC, Sonic Youth continue to defy convention, crafting seminal pop tunes laced with grinding guitar feedback and the gritty vocals of Moore and bassist Kim Gordon.
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The group sparked the eager crowd into a frenzy with tracks off its latest effort Washing Machine before segueing into singles from its last three last albums. Eric's Trip, Bull in the Heather and 100% kept the vibe alive, as did the gamelan samples so artfully inserted between tunes.
A highlight was the Youth's performance of Teenage Riot, which Moore insouciantly dedicated "to the cops" occupying the perimeter of the stadium. Toward the end of the set, however, the enthusiasm of the hook-hungry crowd waned as Sonic Youth drifted into its characteristic interludes of Marshall amp experimentation and Steve Shelley's trippy tangents on the drums.
No teen spirit was lost with the Foo Fighters, the first of the American headliners to take the stage. Coming off their successful eponymous debut and heavy rotation of their I'll Stick Around video, the band's arrival on stage was like an overdue visit. As the long-time anchor of the power-trio Nirvana, one would expect the need for adjustment to Grohl's new position in front of the drum kit. Instead, his transition to lead vocalist and guitarist could not be more natural, nor a better means to release his power chords and charisma.
Grohl's sway over the crowd was as plain as the day was hot. As soon as the group struck the first chords of This is a Call, bodies began floating over the undulating crowd, eased along by a few helping hands, and fists. Heat stroke and mayhem in the mosh pits were claiming one victim after the next as the Foo Fighters, who take their name from a World War II term for UFOs, ripped through one hour of infectious grunge-lite rock 'n roll.
As the band wound up its performance, flames sparked from near the stage -- not from the lighters of a crowd wanting more, but from the birthday cake produced by fellow band members and well- wishers. Grohl had turned 27 and was savoring the sweet taste of success.
X-ill
Like their New York brethren Sonic Youth, the Beastie Boys' major label status has also done little to mellow the group's party-on spirit. After Licensed to Ill, their 1986 release on Def Jam, sold more than five million copies, the Beasties became one of the most successful rap acts in history. How does one cope with the pressure to follow up such a success?
"Sell half a million copies of your next album," Adam Yauch, alias MCA, told The Jakarta Post in typical Beastie humor.
Despite entering the Billboard charts at number 1, the punk- funk trio's last effort,Ill Communication, met with less critical and financial acclaim. The Beasties are currently putting together their next album, but they wanted to fulfill a long-time desire to play Asia before returning to the studio. After a few days of beachcombing in Lombok, the group was ready for Jakarta.
The funky flute sample of Sure shot ushered the Boys onto the stage and into some of their best-known tracks from Ill Communication and Check Your Head. Boasting the afternoon's most elaborate set-up -- including turntables, bongos, keyboards and a stand-up bass -- the band powered through a set of hardcore jams and funked-out soul instrumentals.
Though best when they were mike-in-hand, the group finished with a thunderous rendition of Sabotage and a special appearance by Dave Grohl, who seized the microphone for one last bark at the moon. "Terima kasih," repeated Adrock as he and the other Beastie Boys said thank you and farewell to a crowd of exhausted teens.
Alternative
After a week of the worst floods to hit Jakarta in 20 years, the six-hour outdoor festival was blessed with great weather and no major incidents along the lines of Metallica's performance three years ago, when riots flared and cars were set ablaze. The show unfolded like clockwork and all doubts surrounding the popularity of alternative pop here were put to rest as the sun set over the mosh pit.
So what's so special about alternative music? And just what makes it "alternative"?
"Alternative music is viable commodity," answered Dave Grohl, summing up today's marketing credo of both the music and video industries.
Grohl should know. While groups like R.E.M, U2 and the Cure had already crossed over successfully from college radio to the mainstream in the late 1980s, Nirvana's release of Nevermind in 1991 shattered all expectations and sold more than seven million copies.
The meteoric rise of Nirvana from Seattle's tiny Sub Pop label to Geffen Records helped pave the way for dozens of indie bands hoping to capitalize on their generation's boredom with classic rock and heavy metal. In short, an alternative was in demand.
Given the cruise-ship castaways that normally play in Jakarta, the Jakarta Pop Alternative Festival offered a lineup comparable to Lollapalooza, the multi-band, freak show phenomenon that tours the United States annually. Rumor has it that similar bands are destined for Jakarta, which is welcome news for restless youth in search of an alternative to the city's mushrooming megamalls and bad action flicks.