Asias Growing Music Festival Scene.

There have been some big changes in the music festival scene in Asia over the last decade. Despite the growth the number of music festivals occurring in Asia it is just a fraction of the number that take place every year in Europe and North America. Irrespective of the current COVID situation what is the Asian music festival scene like?  

In many respects the music festival scene is some way behind in popularity than Europe or the US but it may well be in for a period of expansion in the coming years. There could be opportunities for Western artists and event organisers but it would be a venture fraught with potential pitfalls including issues around corruption, mafia meddling along with virtually no concept of health and safety.

There is no doubt that the popularity of music festivals has increased in some Asian countries mainly due to a new generation of younger people with higher disposable incomes and more free time. There are huge differences in incomes and work hours for most Asian countries compared with Europe and North America but this is slowly changing. Here is a quick summary of some of the top music festivals around Asia:

Vietnam.

• 'Quest’s' used to be the largest multi-day music festival in Vietnam. It has not run for a few years due to licensing issues yet they expect to return.
• 'EPIZODE' is set in the idyllic paradise destination of Phu Quoc Island. 

Vietnam has a very young population and their economy is booming, however bear in mind it is still a communist dictatorship with bureaucracy and corruption likely obstacles for any event organiser.       

Singapore.

• 'ZoukOut' running for 15 years is an electronic dance music festival.
• 'St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival' has been taking place on and off for years, unpredictable.
  

Hong Kong.

• 'Clockenflap' a three day music and arts festival.
• 'Dragonland Music Festival' features EDM and Pop.
• 'Sónar' is one of the world’s most respected electronic music and arts festivals. 

Expect high western standards although recent political issues may be a concern. 

Thailand. 

• 'Wonderfuit Festival' has been around for about 6 years.
• '5 Senses' is an eco-friendly, techno festival over 5 days.
• 'Big mountain Festival' a wide variety of live music and DJ’s.
• 'S20 Songkran Water Festival' - something unique to Thailand.
  

Thailand is one of the world's most popular tourist destinations yet is still run by a military junta with nightmarish bureaucracy and ever-changing rules and regulations, no health and safety as such.

Indonesia.

• 'We The Fest' pop, hip-hop, bass and indie festival.
• 'Djakarta Warehouse Project' (DWP). 
  

Malaysia. 

• 'Good Vibes Festival' 
  

Taiwan. 

• 'Creamfields' - the UK festival now has a second home in Taiwan.
  

A Western style country with an affluent growing population, beware of ongoing political issues with China.          

Japan.

• 'Fuji Rock' - a 3-day camping festival is set in a beautiful ski resort.
• 'Summer Sonic Festival' is an annual two or three-day rock festival held in Osaka. 

Korea.

• 'World Club Dome' - a three day music festival. 
  

Philippines.

• 'Wanderland'.
• 'Neverland Festival' a very popular 3-day rave.
  

The Philippines has an unstable political system rife with corruption, poverty is widespread.    

India.

• 'Sunburn' was previously held in the hedonistic party capital of Goa, but has moved to Pune. 

Asia also features a few travelling festivals including 'ULTRA' that puts on a big budget show touring Shanghai, Bali, Singapore, Bangkok, Manila, Taipei, Mumbai, Hong Kong and Seoul.
For something completely different and unique there is the sailing music festival ‘It’s the ship’ that sails from Singapore to Phuket (Thailand) and back to Singapore. 

Others countries like Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos still have developing economies or have smaller populations which limits any market potential for now. Suffice to say Asia has an ever-evolving scene when it comes to music festivals but it offers unique opportunities with year-round great weather in many countries, lower operating expenses and a market open to all things new.

If you use an events management software solution like FestivalPro it already has built in functionality to handle you event wherever in the world it tales place. The guys who are responsible for this software have been in the front line of event management for many years and the features are built from that experience and are performance artists themselves. The FestivalPro platform is easy to use and the ticketing function allows for multiple currencies too.  

Photo by Teddy from Pexels

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