Soulnation to sizzle with John Legend, Joss Stone

Dian Kuswandini ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Sat, 07/04/2009 1:05 PM  |  Entertainment

After all the jazz excitement that characterized Jakarta's music festival scene earlier this year, the stages are heating up again, this time in a celebration of soul, rap, hip-hop and R&B.

After its successful debut last year, the Axis Jakarta International Soulnation Festival will again entertain the city this October, bringing together a range of soul, rap, hip-hop and R&B tunes under the theme "One Nation, One Rhythm".

If you were among the crowd last year and grooved to the sounds of American R&B diva Ashanti, hip-hop star Akon and vocal group Blackstreet, this year's lineup is sure to please.

"We're happy to announce that we will not only bring John Legend, but also Joss Stone to Jakarta," says Peter F. Gontha, chairman of Java Festival Production, Soulnation's organizer. "Currently, we're finalizing the talks *with the Legend and Stone camps*," he adds.

Along with the Grammy-winning Legend and soul sensation Stone, other big names on the festival's list are trio Tortured Soul and 1990s hip-hop sensation Arrested Development, as well as DJ Havana Brown, DJ Mi$$ Yellow, Joe Flizzow, Laura Izibor and Pete Philly & Perquisite.

"We're very lucky because it isn't that difficult now for us to invite international musicians, because Indonesia has earned a good reputation *for holding international music events*," says Peter, who's also the man behind the Jakarta International Java Jazz Festival.

Soulnation will also explore local flavors. Indonesian artists such as Maliq *n D'Essentials, RAN, Saykoji, Kungpow Chicken, Soul ID, Soulvibe and Tangga are among those who will hop onto the stages.

Soulnation promises that the local performers will bring new colors to their music, offering new experiences to festival-goers.

"Just like last year, Soulnation asked us to feature something different, that will be a surprise for our audience," says Maliq *n D'Essentials singer Angga.

Unlike Angga, who is keeping his band's performance a surprise, singing quartet Tangga is happy to share.

"We'll combine hip-hop, rap and R&B with traditional tunes derived from *Javanese instrument* gamelan," says the group's member Kamga.

Offering their songs under the label of "urban black music", he adds, "We'll perform with different music arrangements that embrace traditional instruments. That will be superbly different!"

A festival dedicated to catering to younger people who tend toward the genres of R&B, hip hop, rap and soul, Soulnation also aims to enhance the country's image and demonstrate to the world that Indonesia is a safe place to visit, promote the music and tourism industry, and provide Jakarta with an event that strengthens its identity as a cosmopolitan city.

To complement the music, Soulnation will also provide extra attractions such as rap battles, b-boy battles and extreme sports.

Soulnation will run on Oct. 30 and 31 at Istora Senayan Stadium, Central Jakarta. Tickets are available online only at www.javasoulnationfestival.com, with prices for a day pass ranging from Rp 100,000 to Rp 350,000, depending on booking periods and excluding special shows by John Legend and Joss Stone. Tickets for special shows range from Rp 200,000 to 500,000.

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