WE THE FEST 2018 Wraps On Record Breaking Edition
We The Fest 2018 has just wrapped on it's biggest and most successful edition yet. Organisers Ismaya Live can look back on another stellar weekend packed with captivating artist performances, stunning fashion showcases, eclectic activations, and even a visit from Indonesia's president Joko Widodo for the second year in a row.
The 2018 edition stretched for three days and drew crowds of 60,000, a 20% increase on the previous year and over double that from 2016. With ticket sales skyrocketing, festival goers came not just from South East Asia and the Asian territory, but from across the globe, with France, Germany, New Zealand, and even Peru represented alongside the local markets of Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Japan.
Having captured the attention of the international music community, We The Fest now attracts topflight talent from around the world, resulting in some of the most eclectic and exciting line-ups anywhere in Asia. This year was no different, as the likes of Albert Hammond Jr, Chet Faker, Louis The Child, What So Not, Moon Boots, alt-J and British indie-heartthrob James Bay, took to the stage on the first night.
Day 2 saw R&B duo of the moment and Drake protégés Majid Jordan, and synth-pop duo Honne, showcase their soul-soothing sets before Lorde lit up the stage with her debut performance in the city. A visual and sonic spectacle, Lorde whizzed between hits from her two albums before ending with her magnum opus and crowd favourite, ‘Green Light’. Odesza then capped things off, managing to take things up a another gear, with awe-inspiring visuals providing the perfect backdrop to their cinematic performance.
Day 3 was a day of firsts, with Indonesian debuts from the likes of SG Lewis, Petit Biscuit, The Neighbourhood, and Basenji before the current titans of hip-hop and rap took to the main stage to close out the festival. Vince Staples, Miguel and then SZA, each one stealing the show from the last, sent the crowd into a frenzy and showcased why they’re all at the top of their games.
Ismaya have always nurtured local talent and this year they booked more than ever. The worlds of rock, pop, rap, and jazz were all on show, with acts including GAC, Padi Reborn, Barasuara, Laze and Dipha Barus illustrating Indonesia's burgeoning music scene.
Ismaya have always nurtured local talent and this year they booked more than ever. The worlds of rock, pop, rap, and jazz were all on show, with acts including GAC, Padi Reborn, Barasuara, Laze and Dipha Barus illustrating Indonesia's burgeoning music scene.
The highlight for many was arguably the return of the country's president Joko Widodo. Weaving through the crowd and taking selfies with adoring fans, Widodo soaked up the atmosphere and showed that We The Fest truly is open to all.