Songkran, the water festival is just around the corner. It’s the time when locals make merit, visit their families and partake in traditional activities. Over the years, it has also become a period when locals, tourists, and expats go crazy as they splash each other with tons and tons of water. Waterguns, hoses, buckets, whatever you can get your hands on. The streets are filled with revelers who want a piece of the water fight action. There are also dozens of pool parties and music festivals that take advantage of Songkran. This year, we plan on going to these 2 new awesome music festivals.

Here’s what you need to know if you’re also interested.

Volo Festival

One thing we always wanted, was more hip hop music festivals. Volo is going to be just that. To top it off, it’s going to be at a water park in Hua Hin! That is pretty cool and unique. How many of you can say that you’ve been to one like that? After this Songkran, we can.

2 days of hip hop featuring Ja Rule and A$AP Rocky!

Volo is going to be a 2-day event that will combine music with fashion, food, and lifestyle. Yes, you can’t have hip hop without fashion – so you can expect to see streetwear apparel being sold and maybe even a fashion show. There will be a food zone full of food trucks serving all kinds of food from burgers and pizzas to local delights.

Obviously, also since it is a water park, you will have access to all the slides and rides too before (and possibly) during the festival. The festival starts at 4 pm but the general park area will be open from 10 am.

Artist Lineup

Volo festival is banking on two big headliners to steal the show. On April 13, it’s none other than Ja Rule known for hit songs like ‘always on time’, ‘mesmerize’ and ‘I’m Real’ even though they all have featured some amazing female artists such as Ashanti and JLo. Considering that his last song was in 2012, it’s interesting he has been added to this festival. I’d have preferred to see someone like Travis Scott.

Anyways, Ja Rule will be supported by some of the leading local and international hip hop and rap artists such as FIIXD, Diamond, Gavin D, and others. We don’t know any of them. In any case, we would be missing the 13th set.

The next day the lineup is a lot shorter with A$AP rocky expected to headline with his hits. Our favorite tracks are the ones he has featured with other artists, however. Also performing on this day is Daboyway, a Thai-American artist who has a pretty slick music video called “Yeah Yeah Yeah” and a catchy track “Fire” Ft. Sunaree. Mindset and Double P are also scheduled for the 2nd day.

Since many of these artists are Thais, we definitely expect a lot of Thai songs and possibly some rap battles so it will be quite interesting to see that.

In a country where EDM/techno/house reigns supreme, we can’t wait to dive into the Hip Hop scene here and experience every aspect of the festival.

Reasons to attend: if you are a hip hop fan, it is a no-brainer because it will be the only festival playing that kind of music. Of course, you could go to a nightclub for that but you would miss out on Ja Rule and A$AP Rocky. Plus it is a lifestyle event that mixes Songkran with hip hop culture. A pretty cool mix!

Details to know

Date: April 13-15

Location: Vana Nava Water Jungle, Hua Hin

Ticket Price: 2,500 THB (~80 USD)

Siam Songkran

A debut and first of its kind, Siam Songkran is more than just a music festival. It’s dubbed as the world-class experience of Thai culture revolving around Songkran shenanigans, food, arts, and music.

4 days, 4 zones, a massive lineup of EDM talents and a holistic experience

In between the epic water fights and DJ sets, you can also take a break with an authentic Thai massage, do some shopping or even take part in a Muay Thai workshop. They call this, the ‘Siam Experience’.

Something like this has never been done before at any Songkran music festivals. We’re excited to see it for ourselves too.

Artist Lineup

Of course, a music festival won’t be possible without its lineup. On the left is the full lineup for Siam Songkran and the talents are divided within 4 epic days of EDM extravaganza.

The music festival hasn’t held back in hosting some of the biggest names in EDM with talents like Afrojack, Alok, Yellowclaw, Fedde LeGrand, and Headhunterz headlining and over half a dozen other great artists.

I mean this list is insane. It’s going to be a crazy few wet, headbanging, feet shuffling days.

If you don’t want to go there every day and catch only your favorite artist, check out their schedule below or visit the Facebook event page for updates.

 I’ll be going on April 12 to see Yellowclaw. They have been my trap jam for years now so I would love to see them live. Even though they have come to Thailand a few times before. I would also like to see Headhunterz and Afrojack too but I have to make my way to Volo Festival on the 14th to catch A$AP Rocky!

Reasons to attend: other than the massive lineup, Siam Songkran is a full 360-degree experience of Songkran and Siam culture. The performances, shows, authentic Thai massages, and workshops will make you want to go there every day.

Details to know

Date: 12-15 April

Location: Show DC Oasis Outdoor Arena

Tickets price: 1,700 THB (54 USD)  to 6,900 THB (218 USD) depending on what ticket package you buy

What to expect

• A crazy few days of drinking, dancing and partying
• Great music (if you like hip hop and EDM)
• Cool concepts, especially at Siam Songkran with their “Siam Experience”
• Above all, be prepared to be wet. Really, soaking wet. Imagine being in the biggest water fight. Now multiply that by 1,000.

What to bring/not bring

Photo credit: Cassia Phuket Bangtao Beach

• Waterproof bags and cases for your belongings like mobile phone, cash, cards, etc.
• Waterproof sunscreen
• Sunglasses (might want to get big ones like these to protect your eyes from water guns)
• Wear light, quick-drying clothing

Will we be seeing any of you at these music festivals? Let us know if you’re going and we can enjoy the party together.