Most rock bands are content to live up to a certain set of expectations. This often follows a well-worn pattern: the first album is packed full of punchy material designed to gain maximum attention. By the second album, the emphasis might be on taking things down a gear, with many outfits displaying...

The Indonesia music scene is incredibly rich and varied, benefiting from a range of influences, historic and cultural. Its location on the Pacific rim is ideal for soaking up many of the musical styles which are prevalent amongst other Far Eastern nations. But one form of music that seems to have b...

There are many wonderful forms of indigenous music which continue to inspire generations of music lovers throughout the world. In Indonesia one particular form of music that has endured has been Dangdut. The term itself derives from the Javanese word conveying the literal sound of a drum (known as...

The YouTube video for the song by Indonesian band D'Masiv, 'Sudahi Perih Ini' has been seen by 8 million viewers. One reason for its popularity is that rather than simply being an accompaniment to the music, the footage tells a story. As the track unfolds, there is a moment of drama that contrasts v...

While some people love to relax to soothing music, for others the whole point of listening to their favourite bands is to do so loudly. Forget chart-friendly pop or trendy dance vibes – if you are ever visiting Indonesia's capital Jakarta during 'Rock in Solo' time, prepare to have your ear-drums as...

Ya Ya Ya The video for their single ‘Ya Ya Ya' has attracted around 1 million hits in YouTube. It illustrates their perfect blend of hard-edged guitars and fluid melodies. The film itself is very arresting, featuring the band playing live on the banks of some suitably industrial-looking docks. The...

Afgan Syahrezah as won many plaudits for his talents. Amongst the various awards that already clutter the shelves are Best Male Vocalist (at the 2009 Indonesian Music Awards) and Best Male Artist (at the 2009 Planet Muzik Wards, celebrating engaging artists in Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore). As...

God Bless, one of Indonesia's most consistent and influential rock bands, have accumulated an army of followers – over different generations, too. Founding member Ahmad Albar has presided over a band that first formed in 1973, and has released several popular albums since their eponymous debut in 19...

With the imminent arrival of the 40th anniversary of the moment when diplomatic ties were established between Indonesia and Korea, music has rightly become centre-stage. More than any other form of artistic expression, music is capable of crossing international borders and creating harmony. For that...

Of the most phenomenal successes in the field of popular music in Indonesia has been the band Noah. They were formerly known as Peterpan (in fact, when they renamed themselves in 2012, the some of the promotional material stated ‘Noah Known as Peterpan Band'). What Noah have always done is excel in...

There is a popular saying that equates taste with marmite, a sticky brown food spread that is widely used in Australasia, the Pacific and beyond. Because it has such a distinctive taste, it is known to polarize opinion – you either love it or hate it. Well the same could well be said about the young...

It was Indonesia's TV7 2004 ‘The Dream Band' competition that set this band on the road to fame and fortune. At that event, vocalist Julia Angelia Lepar (aka Pare), guitarist Mario Marcella (aka Cella), drummer Haposan Haryanto Tobing (aka Posan) and bassist Prinzes Amanda (aka Icez) impressed the t...

Ever since Kotak's members were first spotted on an Indonesian TV talent show and named ‘The Dream Band' they have made its their sole purpose to entertain. Since that moment in 2004 they have recorded increasingly catchy and commercially successful records. If you want to check them out, a great p...

Not that many people are aware of Maudy Ayunda outside of her native Indonesia, but this is sure to change over the next few years. Born in 1994, this actress and singer is still a teenager (until December this year at any rate). Yet at the tender age of 19 she has demonstrated ample evidence of her...

Just under four minutes in duration, it showcases the Indonesian cult band Netral, as they perform Haru Biru. The video kicks off with a menacing synth rhythm counting down to the actual performance that gets going at 0:30. There are shots of street scenes in urban Indonesia, with crowds of motorbik...

Nidji are a bit of an enigma for an Indonesian band, difficult to pin down or pigeon-hole. On the one hand, their name isn't even Indonesian – it actually comes from ‘niji' which means rainbow in Japanese. Their music has had all sorts of labels thrown at it, from pop punk to out-and-out rock, to Br...

Indonesian pop icon Judika is scheduled to entertain his fans in Singapore on 29 September 2014. Rated as Indonesia's number #1 male artiste, Judika is set to rock Esplanade Concert Hall with his hits such as 'Aku Yang Disakiti' and Mencari Cinta. This versatile artiste gained foothold in the music...

Liberty and Victory The official music video for Liberty and Victory is certainly a suitably inspiring anthem for any football club. Manchester United have a massive fan base, not just in England and other parts of the UK, but right across the globe. Nowhere is this support more fanatical than in t...

Rice forms the staple diet of millions of Asians; in fact it is enjoyed right across the planet. But this is why one particular Indonesian alternative rock band have dreamt up such a simple but appropriate name for themselves: Padi. Padi is Indonesian for rice. You might not immediately see the con...

One of the most ubiquitous and instantly-recognizable types of indigenous sounds anywhere in world music is Indonesia's gamelan. The term specifically refers to a set of instruments, rather than the musicians who are playing them. These instruments typically include xylophones, metallophones, drums...

For a style of music that prides itself on its youthful exuberance, punk rock has actually been around for a long time. Its original protagonists in the UK and America certainly gained a degree of notoriety for their anti-establishment antics. One its most vocal spokespeople, John Lydon, lead vocali...