World music comes to Bali every year. The IMEX, the Indonesian Music Festival Expo, is a 4-day festival of music, art, food and talks, hosted at the Puri Lukisan Museum in Ubud. Stepping up on stage to dazzle and delight comprises a dynamic assortment of over 100 musicians and vocalists flying in from Aceh, Kalimantan, Flores, Papua and Timor. These top Indonesian music groups, many of whom have performed at prestigious international world music festivals, showcase their talent, ranging from unique indigenous tribal music to jazz, and the festival always includes the Indonesian National Orchestra.
Rafli of Kande
Have you heard of Kande, one of the most popular world music groups in Indonesia? Kande is from Aceh and led by Rafli, a singer-songwriter with superb vocal quality. Rafli’s unique voice has hypnotised thousands of adoring fans and music audiences internationally. And if you want to get your Sufi vibe on, Suarasama from Medan, North Sumatra, delighted the crowds. How about jazz? Aksilarasi, a group from Lombok, delivered a wonderful performance with a unique jazz sound with indigenous Sasak gamelan music.
Franki Raden, IMEX Musical Director
Festival Director Franki Raden handpicks all of the 17 Indonesian music groups. Franki, a composer, ethnomusicologist, and musician himself, has an ear for tracking down unique indigenous Indonesian music. The Music Festival runs every year, with the Department of Culture funding the event and tickets are free.
Franki goes to great lengths to bring authentic and ancient sounds to the stage. “I had to travel for hours, to the middle of nowhere in Central Sulawesi to find this one particular tribe,” Franki said, “Their ancient form of music dates back to the mythical Kingdom of Sindue”. He continued, “It is a very intricate delivery of a unique storytelling style. Locating them was quite an effort and a little tricky. However, when I heard their music, I was captivated by the blending of their melodic vocal line and instruments. So, I proposed they come to Bali, and they came”.
The musical arrangement by Pinkan Indonesia from North Sulawesi was another distinctive sound, blending Minahasan songs with jazz, rock, and classical music. That was quite an offering! Where do you ever get to hear this? Other acts included the indigenous rhythms of Cilokaq, hailing from Nusa Tenggara Barat. They provided a mix of Kroncong style with influences of Chinese music, fused with Arabic tones and traditional Lombok music.
Orchestra goers will be delighted with the INO Ensemble, a version of the Indonesian National Orchestra, who have performed in various prestigious international festivals across the globe. Their music combines regional music from all over Indonesia, composed by Festival Director Franki Raden, and blended into a contemporary style.
Get ready for next year’s IMEX. Lectures and talks are also on offer, along with panel discussions, film screenings, and workshops. The crossroads of Indonesian culture comes together every year in Ubud, and a paradise of world music awaits you.
Check the next event on:
Instagram.com@indonesianmusicexpo
facebook.com/indonesianmusicexpo
www.indonesianmusicexpo.com
Story By Stephanie Brookes
