This October, Tokyo’s Daikanyama will host the debut of a new urban festival, ‘DEFOAMAT’. Taking place across six venues, the festival carries a powerful message: “Exploring new societal possibilities through Asian cultural solidarity – alternative Asian life.” True to this vision, ‘DEFOAMAT’ aims to explore future possibilities through the lens of contemporary Asian culture.
The lineup features live performances and DJ sets from artists like Korea’s LEENALCHI, Thailand’s YONLAPA, and Japan’s Minyo Crusaders. Additionally, art collectives such as ruangrupa—who made history as the first Asians to serve as artistic directors of ‘documenta’, one of the largest contemporary art exhibitions in the world—alongside SIDE CORE, will also take part. But what does ‘DEFOAMAT’ truly mean by “Asian cultural solidarity”? Let’s dive deeper into the festival’s appeal, with insights from its organizing committee.
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Southeast and East Asia’s Indie Culture in the Global Spotlight
The landscape surrounding Asian contemporary and pop culture has undergone a dramatic transformation over the past decade. In 2018, BTS became the first Asian act to top the Billboard album chart. By 2023, BLACKPINK headlined Coachella, and TWICE successfully completed a major stadium tour across North and South America as well as Europe. It’s hardly necessary to emphasize that K-pop fandom has now expanded to a global scale.
At the same time, indie artists from various parts of Asia have been actively performing across the globe. Taiwan’s Sunset Rollercoaster and Elephant Gym, as well as Korea’s SE SO NEON, have been touring internationally, and it’s now common to see Asian indie artists featured in lineups at major festivals in Europe and North America. In the past, when artists from Asia entered Western markets, they were often confined to the “ethnic” category. However, with the globalization of culture, music from Asia and Africa is increasingly regarded simply as “music,” on equal footing with Western genres.
The global spotlight on Asian indie music is due not only to economic growth in Southeast and East Asia, which has increased leisure time, but also to the steady cross-border exchanges that have been taking place since the 2000s. Through these exchanges, underground networks have been formed. Long before “Asian culture” became a trend, individuals across Asia were connecting both online and offline, building a borderless “scene.” This was not driven by grand notions of “Asian unity,” but by simple, human-to-human communication. One of the key aspects of ‘DEFOAMAT’ is that it highlights these long-standing connections.
An urban art and music festival centered around the theme “Exploring new ways of living through Asian cultural solidarity – alternative Asian life.” Hosted at four key locations—Daikanyama T-SITE, Daikanyama Forestgate, UNIT/SALOON, and Haretara Sorani Mamemaite—the event will showcase live performances and art exhibitions featuring over 15 artists from various Asian countries. Additionally, it will include an outdoor market highlighting Asian culture and talk sessions dedicated to rethinking alternative societal models.
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A Lineup Reflecting the Present Landscape of the Asian Scene
Let’s quickly introduce the lineup for ‘DEFOAMAT’. First and foremost, we have to highlight Korea’s LEENALCHI. Drawing inspiration from pansori, a traditional oral narrative and folk art of the Korean Peninsula, they deliver a sound that blends new wave and disco influences, establishing themselves as a leading figure in the Korean indie scene. They performed in Japan last year, generating significant buzz, and now they are making their much-anticipated return.
Joining the lineup are two bands representing the vibrant Thai indie scene: YONLAPA from Chiang Mai and Soft Pine from Bangkok. Both bands have frequently performed in Japan and have garnered a dedicated fanbase here. Their refined indie pop sound is sure to showcase the richness of the Thai indie music scene.
The Japanese lineup is equally impressive. The Minyo Crusaders, known for their strong popularity in both Europe and America, will perform alongside Saho Terao, who has been active with concerts in Taiwan, China, and Korea. There’s also Taikūjikan, which creates unique indigenous music inspired by Balinese traditional music and shadow puppetry, and HOME, a group from Okinawa that has been making waves at festivals in Taiwan and Singapore. Additionally, there’s the emerging reggae band ASOUND, singer-songwriter Sarasa from Shonan, and VIDEOTAPEMUSIC, who has been engaging with artists from various parts of Asia. This truly represents the “alternative” spirit of Asia.
Additionally, DJ YESYES, also known as Park Daham, will be performing. He has been actively bridging the indie scenes of Korea and Japan and is featured as one of the key figures in the legendary Korean indie documentary film ‘Party 51’ (2013). In recent years, he has expanded his activities as a DJ, and his unconventional performances are definitely not to be missed.
OMK, led by SOI48, who has a close connection with Park Daham, and MOOLA, who has lived in Bangkok for many years, will also be performing. I will also be participating as a DJ. Each of us has been involved with various aspects of the Asian music scene in one way or another.
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Intertwining Reflection and Fun at the Festival
At the CCC Art Lab, which serves as the foundation for the ‘DEFOAMAT’ organizing committee, the exhibition project ‘Might Be Classics’ has been held, blending installations, talk sessions, and DJ parties to reflect on the “past” and “future” of Shibuya, Tokyo. This spirit is also carried into ‘DEFOAMAT’. This time, alongside exhibitions by art collectives such as ruangrupa, who became the first Asian artistic directors at the German art festival ‘documenta’, Eco Nugroho, and Japan’s SIDE CORE, there will also be talk sessions featuring figures like Usby Sako, a professor at Kyoto Seika University. The festival promises not only enjoyment of music but also provides opportunities to “spark thought” through art and discussions.
Additionally, the event title DEFOAMAT is an abbreviation for “Daikanyama Edutainment Festival Of Art, Music And Technology.” Naohiro Kimura from the DEFOAMAT organizing committee (Cultura Convenience Club Inc. Art Lab Division) stated this.
Kimura: The fundamental nature of the festival is edutainment. Contemporary art plays a role in questioning society, and by engaging with these works while enjoying music, we hope to provide a way for people to reflect on the society we live in. We want the talk sessions to serve as a space where attendees can gain insights into these issues. In recent years, contemporary Asian culture has become a trend in Western society, and the alternative image of Asia that this culture embodies should serve as a clue to new ways of living in society. Additionally, we aim to create an atmosphere that encourages this kind of exploration.
Just as the CCC Art Lab has found meaning in holding ‘Might Be Classics’ in the redeveloping area of Shibuya, ‘DEFOAMAT’ also reflects on the significance of being held in Daikanyama. Kimura shares his thoughts:
Kimura: Daikanyama, while adjacent to the bustling metropolis of Shibuya, features a landscape dominated by low-rise buildings, making it an open and accessible area. It has cultural facilities like Hillside Terrace and Tsutaya Books, as well as live music venues such as UNIT and Haretara Sorani Mamemaite. There are also various shops and restaurants with a strong cultural flavor. I believed that Daikanyama could express a gradient from street culture to fine art. The original concept of the event is to use the entire area of Daikanyama for a cultural event.
However, DEFOAMAT is by no means a rigid event. It offers an opportunity to casually enjoy the expressions of artists coming from various places on an autumn day, engage in conversations with fellow attendees, and collectively contemplate the ideal form of society. This could lead to a meaningful experience for all involved.
DEFOAMAT
Date & Time:
October 19 (Saturday) and 20 (Sunday), 2024
OPEN: 14:00 | START: 15:00
Venue:
The event will be held at the following four locations. The schedule and other details will be announced on the official website as they are finalized.
- Daikanyama T-SITE: 16-15 Sarugakucho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
- Forest Gate Daikanyama: 20 Daikanyamacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
- Daikanyama UNIT/SALOON: 1-34-17 Ebisu Nishi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, ZaHOUSE
- Haretara Sorani Mamemaite: B2, 20-20 Daikanyamacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Participating Artists:
- ruangrupa
- SIDE CORE
- Eco Nugroho (in collaboration with ART FRONT GALLERY)
Performing Musicians (19th):
- LEENALCHI
- YONLAPA
- Soft Pine
- Saho Terao
- VIDEOTAPEMUSIC
- TAIKUH JIKANG
- Sarasa
- OMK (Soi48, MMM, YOUNG-G)
- HOME
- Minyo Crusaders
- DJ YESYES
- Hajime Oishi
- MOOLA
- ASOUND
Film Screening (19th): Bring Minyo Back!
Date & Time:
October 19 (Saturday) and 20 (Sunday)
Music Program Time: OPEN 14:00 | START 15:00
Other Program Times: Based on venue operating hours
Ticket Sales (Music/Film Programs Only):
7,500 yen
Organized by:
DEFOAMAT Organizing Committee
Sponsored by:
Tokyu Land Corporation
Production Support:
microAction LLC.
Contact:
DEFOAMAT Organizing Committee: info@defoamat.com
Please note that music performances will take place only on October 19 (Saturday).
The tickets sold through eplus will only apply to the music/film programs, while other events such as art exhibitions, talk sessions, and markets will be free to enter.
Eplus: https://eplus.jp/defoamat/
Official Website: https://www.defoamat.com
Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/defoamat/
