| May 5, 2012 | ||
| May 9, 2012 |
Named as one of Indonesia’s most accounted Music Festivals, It all started out in 2006 to accommodate the over crowding at the infamous Embassy Club in Senayan Area in Jakarta, Embassy Playground Festival was carefully designed as an exciting multi-genre music festival. The first inception already saw nearly 6.000 people through the gates, and had reached an average of 15,000 through its last 3. Now in its 5th year, Playground teams up with Dimensions, to present you Dimensions Playground Festival that will see the festival at two major cities in Indonesia, both Jakarta and Bali. The 2012 event not only serves as the country’s most-talked-about music festival, but also the significant will to present to Indonesia and the world the ability of giving different experience in every details of the festival. Promoted by Urbanite Asia in partnership with Dimensions and Brewers Production for the Bali conception, Urbanite Asia as the brain-child of the festival are known internationally for its exemplary choices of line-ups and conceptual designs of events. They recently invited one of House Music/Big Beats legend, Norman Cook a.k.a Fatboy Slim as well exciting names such as Friendly Fires, MGMT and DJ Shadow.
As to maintain the variety of line-ups, this year’s Dimensions Playground covers a broad spectrum of musical genres in our three widespread arena Embassy Stage, Wonderbar Forest Soundsystem and The Silent Concert area plus visual enhancements for multi-sensorial festival experience. We are giving you a bit of everything this year. Whatever you have in mind, we’re genre bending here, we’re crossing boundaries of a carefully crafted boutique music festival to cater all you music heads.
Let’s kick off with GORILLAZ SOUND SYSTEM that presents to audience the heart and brain of Gorillaz multimedia set, Gorillaz Sound System will give their performance for both cities Jakarta and Bali in the main area. And as we breakthrough boundaries of dancing in our Embassy Playground 2008 with The Silent Disco, we tailor-made ourselves the experience of ‘no noise’ concert plus many added improvements this year with our very own THE SILENT CONCERT area which will feature 2 DJs and 1 Band in 3 different stage right in front of you at any given time, which allows audience to choose from 3 selectable channels of the music they can choose from the headphones which will be given in the area. We have custom made 1.000 pieces of high-quality wireless headphones to wow the audiences just for this, and the Switch headphones are owned by Urbanite Asia.
A specialized visual mapping of urban cityscape is also one of our highlights for this area, where you will witness fantastic video mapping delivered at the Silent Concert stage in conjunction with Kompas Urbana. Some of the artists confirmed to perform in the area are ALEXA and AGRIKULTURE who will be playing very inspiring different sets than ones you see anywhere else for the first time, tailored specifically for Dimensions Playground Market. They will be joined by the likes of Anton Wirjono, Winky, DJ Cream, Innoceroze, Akira a.k.a. Astronaughty, Winky, Dipha (Live Set), DJ Cream, Bone, Jerome, Tosynth, Crip, Downey & Sixteen for the Silent Concert area.
Our own WONDERBAR FOREST SOUNDSYSTEM will see different varieties of line-ups which also includes numerous different excitements as we design the venue carefully to match our psychedelic forest concept, where DJ’s like Anton Wirjono, Jakarta Techno Militia team, Danny Howells, Marc Roberts and Tosynth will also be joined by live band acts from SAINT ETIENNE who will perform a very special sunset performance, SIR DANDY and the nation’s most aspiring rock and roll act, BRNDLS also known as The Brandals.
To add to the exciting line-up is KELIS will headline our EMBASSY MAIN STAGE alongside GORILLAZ SOUND SYSTEM and with our own local heroes, Downey & Crip as the sound of DOMAIN and of course, Mahesa Utara who will close the set at our main area. Let’s not stop there!, with our most massive production to date, we’ve specially invited over Modular Recordings ‘golden darlings’, VAN SHE for an exclusive full band set for the first time ever in Indonesia!
A little bit of everything from our local heroes! Bali sees an even bigger local names such as Yoga Yin, Kasymin, Dion, Putra Collins, Alex Joy, Robotrocks, Gary Bemore, Anastasia, Robotrocks, Electrofux, Mikey Moran, James Hendrik, Eric Larson, Kent Kryptonite, Adit Putra, Stan, Schizo and the very special performance from the guy who introduced tech house to the world, JAMES ZABIELA, GEORGE FITZGERALD and MARC ROBERTS who is known as the founder of Snowbombing Music Festival in Austria. This multi faceted music festival will showcase more musical genre for your dancing aura at the ever-gleaming beauty of Garuda Wisnu Kencana Complex on the 9th of May 2012 with 2 massive areas that are specially designed with LED Lights, Visual Mappings, Laser Graffiti and so much more.
As Indonesia’s forefront boutique music festival, our brand has established a name of its own that presented different kind of experience of going to music festivals. We’ve designed our own true playground arena that will feature Ferris wheel, Seesaw, Merry-Go-Round, Laser Graffiti, Swing Tire and so much more. Apart from that, take part also in our very own exclusive Hammer fall and Bull Riding game from our proud brew sponsor STARK BEER garden area where we will design it to the full comfort of our festivalgoers. And if you are an avid Whiskey fan, we have a very special Jack Daniels lounge that is served by their finest mixologists to cater to your drinking desire. We will also have a special signing booth tent from Kompas Urbana, where you will have the chance of taking photos and getting signatures from your favorite DIMENSIONS PLAYGROUND artists. And if those are not enough, we will also cater to your resting need where you can pamper yourself in our specialized F&B/Pampering area where you will find Viro Booth (our official mineral water), Smirnoff Booth and Area Living Room where you can rest and relax.
For it’s 5th inception, Dimensions Playground will be on the Saturday, 5th of May 2012 starting at 5pm, that’s right (5/5/5/5/5) at Tennis Park Senayan in Jakarta, and Bali at the Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK) on 9th of May 2012.
Your early-bird tickets are now available at Portico Senayan City Jakarta and Brewers Denpasar and Legian starting at Rp. 360.000 or online at www.embassyplayground.com/dimensions , you can also buy on the spot for Rp. 420.000. For live info feed, follow our twitter accounts @Playground_5th, @UrbaniteAsia & @embassytheclub or join our facebook page www.facebook.com/playgroundfestival
About Dimensions
DIMENSIONS is an event platform that focuses around contemporary lifestyle events featuring upcoming and influential performers, while incorporating the 4 pillars which are: culinary arts, modern performance, living design, and entrepreneurship. DIMENSIONS events are 18+ only.
ARTISTS SHORT BIO
GORILLAZ SOUND SYSTEM
Born from the mind of Gorillaz members, Gorillaz Sound Sytstem is a 4-man outfit consists of DJ, Percussionist, Visual Director and a drummer. Their show uses extensive animation that is also used by Gorillaz. Gorillaz Sound System performance is a multi-media shows that will enthrall your senses and give different sensory experience that everybody loves from the band. Gorillaz Sound System is known for their incorporation of Gorillaz hits that is remixed, reworked and coupled with other dance floor friendly hits that is performed with giant screen visuals.
MAHESA UTARAv
Exposed to the music industry in early age, Mahesa has become an international brand name that best describes the evolution of Indonesian dance music scene. His love for music has grown rapidly with influences ranging from funk, soul and even Electro and electronic music. His remix production for fellow Indonesian producer, Angger Dimas entitled ‘Are You Ready’ has garnered international attentions from big names such as Diplo, Laidback Luke and so much more.
He started producing electronic music with Digital Audio Workstations such as Cubase in 2008 and already by that year he won the prestigious REDMA (Ravelex Electronic Dance Music Awards) for Best Remix of the Year.
After signing to the sought-after Australian label, Vicious, Mahesa have released numerous original production that ranges the wide variety of electronic music. His good relationships with local producers and international names such as Swedish House Mafia, Dillon Francis, Steve Angello, Bart B More and so much more have earned him the reputations of the future of Indonesian electronic music. And for this year’s ‘Playground’ he will be gracing the deck with his signature electronic sound of bleeps and groovy bass lines that is injected with high voltage electro noise. Mahesa is a definite crowd shaker that is not to be missed.
JAKARTA TECHNO MILITIA
Heralded as the nation’s biggest and foremost techno ambassadors, Jakarta Techno Militia is a collective of DJ’s and producers that has made Techno music the way it is in our beloved country. Their influential events and mixing styles has been regarded as purveyors of finest techno events the region has ever seen. Consists of names such Indra 7, Uchiel, Myra Alexa, Andre Dunant, Remy Irwan, Danish, Alvin K and Audie, the militia have played important role in the evolution of techno music in Indonesia. They have taken part in major events that are responsible for bringing names such as Paul Kalkbrenner, Richie Hawtin and even John Digweed to our shore. It is hard to pin down their musical style of techno because of the variety of sets they always come up with. Each with their own signature sound, mixing style and performances, Jakarta Techno Militia comes from a variety of background of promoters and underground labels joined together for the love and passion of techno music. Their experimental mixing styles and unique set-ups has become their original trademark, and despite the many individuals in the collectives, when they’re taking over the deck, all is one in their sound, passion and love of techno music. This is techno, in its finest form.
SAINT ETIENNE
This year, the British Indie group Saint Etienne will be performing at the thematically designed ‘Wonderbar Forest’ area for the sunset. The band itself has produced over eight albums and is regarded as Britain’s leading indie pop act. Let’s not forget the happily infused pop music such as ‘You’re In A Bad Way’ and ‘Join Our Club’ from their 1993 album ‘So Tough’, heralded by the British music press as the album that took them to different level. The next installment from the band, the 1994 album ‘So Tough’ is a significant change in musical direction that garnered them new fans and listeners as they infuse elements of pop electronic music in their composition. Saint Etienne is not only a band per say. Each of the member have become heavily involved in not only song writing and performing their music, but also writing books and doing numerous other side projects. Their upcoming album ‘Words And Music By Saint Etienne’ is one of the most awaited records of the year; their single ‘I’ve Got Your Music’ was released last February to a high responses from critics and music journalists. Take part in listening to the tracks from this upcoming album in the festival. In terms of musical arrangements, their musical style that blends house music with analog music making which includes alternative rock and even indie dance have become Britain’s first and foremost indie pop musician that still gives pop music a perfect image both for critics and fans alike.
THE SILENT CONCERT
In the world of electronic music, experience has become a vital transmission to transcend the mind and uplift the spirit of the music itself. The Silent Concert uses multiple audio transmissions that are presented in unique ways that enables us to choose the music we want to hear from three selectable channels. This multi sensorial experience can be very different and unique as thousands of people dancing to the tune of ‘no music’ .
The Silent Concert’s gigs allows audience member to experience the impact of high-end audio technology that’s not only used at home, but also at massive outdoor festivals, which gives it whole new sparks. we are pretty sure The Silent Concert is an invaluable addition to this year’s Playground.
KELIS
Kelis Rogers is no regular RnB singer. This native New Yorker has been making bigger buzz in Europe and UK especially rather than her own respective country. She has won awards ranging from the Brit Awards, the highly respected Q Awards and NME Awards. Her wide musical range that covers the scope of funk, soul, electronica, house and even post-dubstep music has been known internationally as an artist who never stopped evolving and are never tired of experimenting with the technology. Her break to the industry comes with the track ‘Caught Out There’ which was released in 2000 from her eponymous debut album. Afterwards she has released 5 albums from 1996, which are always major hits in the UK. Surely tracks like ‘Milkshake’ plays an important role in propelling her to superstardom with her third album ‘Tasty’, the track won Grammy for Best Urban/Alternative performance and is considered her most important track of all. Having worked with big names such as Bjork, Enrique Iglesias, Cee-Loo Green, Gnarls Barkley and so much more only proves that her advancement in music is an ongoing evolution that she pours her heart in. Kelis is one of those very few female artists who have managed to gain the industry’s respect, won critics heart and astounded fans around the world. Countless of singles and remixes has spanned her more than 16 years of experience in the music industry. Her voice, her music, her passion and her charisma is what made her who she is today and Kelis is definitely a festival favorite all over the globe.
JAMES ZABIELA
No other DJ/Producers that has gained recognition throughout the years the way James Zabiela did. Famous for his extensive Tech House set, Zabiela is also known to incorporate many effects skills into his set. He is an avid user of many modern Digital Audio Workstations like Ableton Live that he sometimes uses for his live set. He has remixed and reworked countless other artists such as Radiohead, Royksopp, Pole & Folder, Ladytron and Sasha to name a few. At this year’s Dimensions Playground, we dedicate specially his set for our Bali crowds.
VAN SHE
Known worldwide for their signature Electro pop sound, the Australian based Van She is an invaluable addition to the Modular Recording label that is known for their exemplary choices in artists and line-ups. Van She’s first album can be best described as Electropop, but nothing sounds as fresh as them in the nowadays Synth music industry movement. A remix album follows after the debut was released, aptly entitled ‘Ze Vemixes’. Their follow up album ‘Idea Of Happiness’ is due for release later this year. Witness this legendary synth-pop outfit at Dimensions Playground.
