With COVID putting everything in hiatus, I am really missing music festivals, among other things of course. But what can I say? I love music festivals. They are kind of my life. My escape – like travel. So I’m looking back at the top 10 music events I have been to in my lifetime.
10. The Weeknd
Thailand doesn’t host many hip hop concerts. There might not be a big demand for it or that it’s too expensive to bring the artists in. I’ve seen quite a few big names like LMFAO, Pitbull, Far East Movement, Flo Rida, and Wiz Khalifa. However, none of them have been as impressive as The Weeknd.
I love almost every song by The Weeknd never knew Abel had such a beautiful voice till I heard it Live. While I was expecting a big production with dancers and more impressive stage settings, he completely rocked it solo with his voice and charisma.
The reason it ranks so low on the list is that, like most hip hop stars, The Weeknd failed to really connect with the audience. I wish they would not just race through the songs and actually try to speak or be part of the crowd.
Other than that, it was an awesome concert. I was singing and dancing to every song.
Best for: music
9. Warp (2016)
Warp is one of Thailand’s biggest music festival with 4 yearly installments so far. We have attended twice but out of the two, the one in 2016 was the better experience in terms of music. In 2018, I had more friends with me though. That is a different kind of fun.
Warp focuses on EDM with psychedelic and futuristic themes. The stage backdrops and sound systems are quite fantastic as well.
Each year, bringing in a hard-hitting lineup of artists, Warp manages to attract hundreds of locals and foreigners – all ready to rave on the sand. The fact that it hosted on a beach makes the festival quite unique and fun.
Best for: theme design, location, lineups, party
8. Together Festival (2017)
Together Festival is one of the biggest ED festivals in Thailand that has been running for 8 years straight. It has always been a 1-day event until the 4th edition when it started becoming a 2-day festival.
The lineup at Together Festival 2017 was top notch with Armin van Buuren and Axwell Ingrosso as the headliners. Armin is actually one of my all-time favorites. I have been listening to his music since 2003 and his set at TF 2017 simply transcending. Marshmello, Martin Garrix, and Umek were also quite entertaining.
The best part was meeting new people, especially this Canadian couple and a Thai group. They really made my experience at the festival better because who really enjoys an event by themselves. Right?
Best for: production, lineups, party
7. It’s a Trap (2018)
You don’t find many trap-only music events these days. It’s a very underground, niche music genre. People either love it or hate it and there are very few of the former. I absolutely LOVE trap and Hardstyle.
This is why It’s a Trap is one of my favorite all-time music festivals.
Although, production-wise, the event wasn’t on par with all the other ones I’ve been to, but man oh man, the energy was unbelievable.
I went with just one friend but I met a lot of new people at the event as well.
I must have burned over 1000 calories because I jumped, shuffled, and danced all night long. Crazy headbanging and heart-thumping music.
Best for: crowd vibe, music, energy
6. Siam Songkran
Epic Water fights, insane FX systems, big artist lineups, tons of entertainment, and a twist of culture all rolled into one makes Siam Songkran one of the coolest music festivals that I have ever been to.
Siam Songkran only happens during Songkran (Thai new year). While there are other (big and small) festivals that happen during this time, Siam Songkran is different.
It’s one of those cliche water music festivals because they add a touch of lifestyle and culture as well. With cultural shows, entertainment, food fairs and beer gardens, it’s clearly more than just a music event.
You can read my full review of it to find out more.
Best for: production, lineups, concept, overall experience
5. Kolour in the Park (2020)
Kolour has been doing events and festivals that focus on techno for years. It started small with small get-togethers that slowly grew. Kolour in the Park is now their main brainchild. I went to their first on in 2014, I believe. I went to the one in 2019 as well.
However, in 2020 they outdid themselves. The main reason being that they opened up to more music genres like hip hop, Jazz and other hybrid music. With 3 stages, big artists, more food vendors and fun activities, KITP 2020 was really memorable.
Also it was literally the last big event and festival before COVID hit. Talk about going down with a bang. I’m very glad I attended it this year.
4. Dropzone
Dropzone was a massive 2-day EDM festival with 3 music stages, food zones, and interesting non-music activities.
The location was pretty awesome too as an entire abandoned theme park was converted into a giant music festival.
The 3 stages were house/techno, trap/bass/hardstyle, and the main stage. I spent most of my time at the hardstyle stage as the energy there was the next level.
Food options were diverse and if you weren’t partying to the music, you could relax at chill zones or partake in laser-tag games.
I really hope there will be another edition of Dropzone sometime in the future. It was really one of the best events I have ever been to simply because of the variety of activities and music.
Best for: theme design, location, lineup variety, party
3. Dontri
The best events are the ones that are organized by and catered to the locals. Dontri is just that. Forget for one minute that it had 8 music zones and over 80 artists performing. That’s just the building blocks of any festival. What really sets Dontri apart from all the other festivals I’ve been to is that everything was local.
Local artists, food, sponsors, and even the pricing was set so everyone can have a good time. It was truly an inclusive event rather than an exclusive one (which most other festivals are).
I was really looking forward to its 2nd edition this year…but then COVID happened.
Read my full review of Dontri Festival.
Best for: overall experience, party, lineups, concept, local
2. Linkin Park (3x)
I have been a Linkin Park fan since the first album came out. Wow, Hybrid Theory was just flawless. Meteora was quite spectacular too.
So when they came to Thailand for live concerts, three times, I had to go. Of course each subsequent one was a little enjoyable but the first one in 2004 was a dream come true.
Linkin Park is without a doubt, a really talented band. Live, they are even better. Chester Bennington’s (RIP) voice is phenomenal and of course the band backs him really well.
I remember being the first in line and running up to the front row. I waited there all day and even when I was about to pass out, I powered through. Totally worth it. So much so that I had to attend the concert each time they came.
1. Wonderfruit (2019)
Wonderfruit is arguably the biggest and best festival in Thailand. It lasts 4 days and brings together a huge number of artists, music genres, food stalls, art installations, lifestyle workshops, and much more.
After so many years of hearing about it and feeling FOMO, I finally got to go in 2019. It is seriously an experience and if you are into festivals, Wonderfruit is not to be missed.
Now I may have put it at #1 on this countdown list BUT I would also put it at #10 because I also had a lot of issues with it. If you read my post on it, you would understand why. Basically, it was REALLY tiring and I breathed in so much dust, that I ended up getting sick by the end of it.
I was planning to go to Wonderfruit 2020 but with COVID issues, I rather spend the time and money to travel during that time. I mean it is quite costly to go to one of these. I might consider going to Jai Thep Festival instead in Jan 2021 while traveling in the north of Thailand
Best for: music variety, workshops, overall experience
Good times! Can’t wait to attend more in the future.
One coming up soon in Khao Yai. And then WF and then one in Chiang Mai too.