Festivalgoers in Singapore are a lucky bunch, with exciting events like Waterbomb and F1 Singapore Grand Prix gracing the second half of the 2024 calendar. If you can’t get enough of music and food festivals, here are some notable ones happening around the region to include in your travel plans.
Bali Meat Park, Sep 14
Kota Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia
Bali Meat Park is set to ignite the island’s culinary scene with a sizzling debut on 14 September. The first-ever barbecue and music festival on the island is firing up the grills for the meat-meets-music sensations, promising an unforgettable experience for meat lovers and music enthusiasts alike. Beyond the festive fun, the event will tantalise taste buds with a global smorgasbord of grilled delicacies.
A constellation of world-renowned chefs and pitmasters will grace the event, each bringing their signature flair to the grill. The rhythm of the grill will be matched by the infectious energy of live music at Bali Meat Park. It will be a celebration of sound and taste, with a diverse lineup of performers taking to the stage. From the soulful crooning of blues and the head-bopping rock to the pulsating rhythms of reggae and the groovy tone of jazz, the music will create an atmosphere of pure exhilaration. Traditional Balinese gamelan and dance performances also add a touch of locality for visitors to completely immerse in the experience. The festival’s commitment to showcasing local talent alongside international acts ensures a rich and authentic musical tapestry.
Learn more at balimeatpark.com and purchase your tickets here.
Ombak Festival, Sep 13 to 15
Desaru Coast, Malaysia
Happening just across the Causeway at Desaru Coast is Ombak Festival. Billed as “The Ultimate Weekend”, the festival has an impressive star-studded line-up including Swedish band The Cardigans, pop culture icon Grace Jones, six-time Grammy Award winner Nile Rodgers & Chic, and British DJ and producer Quantic.
There are also exclusive ticketed events such as Ombak Supper Club with The Stars by Yellow Fin Horse where guests can dine with performers and artistes (limited to only 90 guests). Meanwhile, Turmeric at Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas will host An Exploration of Nusantara Cuisine, and Streets & Beats, the latter of which will showcase the best of Johor street food. One&Only Desaru Coast will present the ticketed event All Q’ued Up by Quantic, and Ember Beach Club Brunch by chef Andrew Walsh, an elevated barbecue experience accompanied by Southeast Asian sounds of DJs Maft Sai and Mellow Goeslaw.
Festivalgoers will be enthralled by Nice Monster’s specially commissioned giant roving puppets depicting Johorean folk tales, as they explore the Festival Village serving up delicious eats and exclusive merchandise.
1-Day and 2-Day Festival Passes are available for Sep 14 and/or 15, with ferry and shuttle services available for festivalgoers travelling to-and-fro Singapore and Johor Bahru. Buy them at Ticketmelon or Sistic, while Exclusive Ticketed Events can be purchased from Ticketmelon. For more information about Ombak Festival and Festival Stay Packages, visit www.ombakfestival.com.
Axean Festival, Sep 28 to 29
Jimbaran Hub, Bali, Indonesia
The last edition of Axean Festival, a platform that features regional musical talents while providing networking opportunities for artists and music industry professionals, was held at Goodman Arts Centre. This year’s festival moves to Bali at Jimbaran Hub.
Set against tropical greenery and sunset views, the intra-regional music showcase event will kick off with a music industry mixer and a private music showcase of Balinese talents on the day prior to the festival. It will be followed by a two-day music conference with networking activities in the morning and a music showcase festival featuring more than 50 music acts from Southeast Asia and beyond. The festival will wrap up with a private songwriting camp, the newest addition to its programming, to foster more artistic collaborations and cross-border fanbases.
For more information and to buy tickets, visit axeanfestival.com.
For more exciting music festivals, you may also want to consider Rolling Loud in Pattaya (Nov 22 to 24) and Clockenflap in Hong Kong (Nov 29 to Dec 1). Check out accommodation guide here.
