The succeeding performance of the evening was Kill the DJ and DJ Vanda from Yogyakarta, whose music was a blend between traditional Javanese music and “Sinden” (a Javanese, high-pitched female songster) with mystifying rap (also in Javanese) and Disc Jockey (DJ) performance. But what can I say? I highly appreciate their audacity to bring forth such cross-cultural show in front of the mostly ignorant young Jakartans; I do. However, I wouldn’t say their music is very much enjoyable anyway; well, at least not for most of non-Javanese speakers like the majority of the audience in the evening. Perhaps it’s a different case in their hometown I suppose. To add the worse, the next performance of the evening on the other stage (forget to mention you that there’re 2 main stages which were used in turn) was the S.I.G.I.T – one of the hottest indie band in town. Hence, many of the audience has already been waiting in front of the other stage (including me and my friends ^^;), while booing and leaving Kill the DJ and their DJ Vanda with their own crowds.

Renowned not only in Indonesia but also in our neighbor, Australia, The S.I.G.I.T. was undeniably one of the most anticipated stars of the day. I’ve already heard their album, Visible Idea of Perfection, and despite their name, I couldn’t believe that it was an Indonesian band until I saw their flip-to-see photo in the album’s cover. Their music is very much influenced by American rock ’n roll with a very energetic and lively sound. An Australian radio even compared them to Led Zeppelin, noting them as “the Indonesian Zeppelin”. But I also feel the air of 90s Britpop characteristics in their music which resembles that of OASIS’ and the like. Just listen to their hits, “Soul Sister”, and you’ll make out the reason why. Their stage performance of the evening was my first experience, so I was very anxious to watch them directly. And they didn’t let down. Opened with the catchy, tuneful intro of “Black Amplifier”, the S.I.G.I.T. has truly casted their charm on their audience through a very vigorous and forceful music. They also performed “Horse”, “Satan State”, among their many other hits which were outstanding. Unfortunately, our delight in watching their staggering performance was slightly disrupted by some dim-witted, senseless youngsters who were badly over-reacted in enjoying the music by dancing frenziedly and kicking, thrusting, and jerking around in a most radical manner. Despite my resentment, I pitied them really. Luckily the security officers finally got to their feet and settled them down.

I didn’t have much to say about ensuing performance of Souljah, a reggae band with rockin’, calypso-sounding music which was full of energy to light up the night. They seemed to have many keen listeners also, which danced vigorously along with the beat. However, since none of us was really fond of the music genre, not counting the fact that SORE was waiting next in line on the other stage, we didn’t join the crowds of Souljah. Rather, I, Nanta, Dico, Billy, and Redja chose to stand in front of the other stage to wait for SORE ze band, one of our MAIN reasons of coming to the event.

SORE is yet another astonishing band from Aksara Records which consists of Ade (lead guitar and vocal), Echa (guitar and vocal), Awan (bass and vocal), Mondo (keyboard and vocal), and Bambi (drum and vocal – sorry for miss-pronunciation :P). We’ve been listening to their music for some times now, and all of us shared the same opinion that SORE’s music are way out of the ordinary. We even played their songs when we’re playing with our on-the-spot band. There’re some reasons to this; the first of which, naturally, being their captivating music. From Somos Libres to Etalase to No Fruits for Today to the cover version of Bengawan Solo (Gesang) or Hidup itu Indah (Naif), their music are very wide-ranging and engaging that you just can’t stop listening to their awe-inspiring tunes and lyrics. Oh, and the lyrics, they’re just marvelous and ingenious; the type of lines that could make your mind racing and thinking about the unthinkable. While it may sound exaggerating, at least that’s what I personally feel about it. Moreover, other exciting thing about SORE is that all of their members – including the drummer – are also happened to be the singer of the band, and their two guitarists and bassist are left-handed (when I saw their picture for the first time, I thought it was reversed!). That very evening, SORE performed several of their hits, including Mata Berdebu, Somos Libres, Etalase, No Fruits for Today, and some others which were remarkable as expected. The sound was perfect, and we were drowned with the music, while blissfully singing along together.

It was very tiring indeed, but we really had a fun time singing and shouting as one with SORE. However, the euphoria didn’t stop there, for another unmatched, brilliant band had already been waiting at the other end: White Shoes and the Couples Company!! To be honest, I couldn’t quite appreciate their music when I heard their first hit single: Windu and Defrina. Okay, the melody was catchy, but how could you expect me to take pleasure in a song that’s packed with repeating lines (Windu x8…Defrina…!) and an old-school style like such? Well, it took me months before I finally realized that I was wrong, and admitting that their songs are very unique and agreeable indeed in the most peculiar way. White Shoes has a unique way of expressing their feelings through music, and their songs seem to invite us to sing along together and forget about our long-winded life and its harms for a while. The band’s music is mostly characterized by its catchy keyboard tunes and choir performance by the members. I particularly like “Kapiten dan Gadis Desa”, “Tentang Cita”, “Runaway Song”, and their cover version of Naif’s “Si Mesin Waktu”. White Shoes has had a large fans base in the Greater Jakarta and Bandung, and their stage performance that very evening seemed to please their fans at their best. Sari, the vocalist, was extremely stunning and adorable that I just couldn’t take my eyes off her (heheee… ^^;). That evening, she wore her proud high-heeled white shoes and ashen-colored fan, which she swayed and swung around amusingly. But it’s her exquisite mezzo-soprano-like voice (can’t tell the registers for sure) which enchanted all of us audience that very evening. That’s why, it’s no wonder that they received scores of positive remark from many international music critics and records that the band got a lot of performing and recording orders from the States, Australia, and many others from abroad.

(I’m not into Pure Saturday, so let’s just skip it, okay?! ^^;)

Finally, here comes the Adams, another fabulous band from Institut Kesenian Jakarta under Aksara Records. Their stage performance was very rocking and amusing that everyone seemed to enjoy the vigorous atmosphere that has been successfully nurtured by the band since the very beginning. Being there to watch their performance directly, you’ll understand the very essential thing which made the band a cut above the rest. The Adams is all about being a youthful, dynamic, optimistic, and confident urban young generation today. It’s about celebrating our life, surrounding area, and the people around in a fun-loving, high-spirited way. Just listen to some of their hits, including “Hanya Kau”, “Halo Beni”, “Waiting”, or perhaps the a cappella song “Berwisata”, and it’d become obvious that the Adams is undeniably the portrayal of today’s groundbreaking spirit of the modern young generation.

The UrbanFest 2007 was closed with the awaited performance of the Brandals. It’s been a hell of a day, and we’re very tired and lightheaded. But it was very enjoyable and fun indeed. Am looking forward for UrbanFest 2008 and beyond!! ^^

with a thrilling at-last-I-am-blogging-again euphoria,
KiD ^o^