Djakarta Artmosphere: Kartika Jahja (left) and Vina Panduwinata perform at Djakarta Artmosphere
The idea of bringing great musicians from different generations together in one stage performance was a good one.
Singer Kartika Jahja turned around. She cried for a while then shed her tears as quickly as possible. She was excited that one of her wildest dreams had just become a reality. She got a once-in-a-lifetime chance to share the stage with her idol, singer Vina Panduwinata.
Tika's excitement was even more obvious when she and Vina exchanged songs. Vina covered Tika's "Infidel Castratie" and Tika with her band, The Dissidents, played "Di Dadaku Ada Kamu" (In My Heart, There is You).
That 1980s anthem was transformed into a suicidal song in Tika & The Dissidents' hands.
"This is supposed to be a love song. But we decided to change the arrangement. So it becomes a song of an obsessed woman who obsessively wants to hold someone inside her heart forever," said Tika.
Commenting on the new arrangement, Vina said, "This is like Halloween, right?"
On the other hand, Vina showed why she gets all the credit for being Indonesia's biggest diva. She sang Tika's "Infidel Castratie" as beautifully as if it was her own composition.
She entertained the crowd in a flawless display, putting to rest the conception that divas would never deign to cover a newcomer's song.
Vina acknowledged her admiration for Tika & The Dissidents' music.
"I'm also confused why I'm here, sharing the stage with Tika. Well, you guys are lucky to have bands like Tika & The Dissidents," she said, prompting a big cheer from the crowd.
Tika & The Dissidents and Vina Panduwinata were the highlights of Djakarta Artmosphere on Nov. 7. Through this event, the organizer had hoped to bring together Indonesia's young and seasoned musicians as guests of honor.
Other musicians included White Shoes & The Couples Company, maestro guitarist Oele Pattiselano, singer Fariz Rustam Munaf, Efek Rumah Kaca, Doel Sumbang, Sore and Ebiet G. Ade.
For the audience, whose ages ranged from 15 to 25, the night's gig was a completely new experience. Most of them had never seen bands from their generation jamming with their idols, covering hits from decades ago.
The generation gap that existed between these acts suddenly vanished when the music started.
It was amazing to see the audience sing Vina Panduwinata's "Surat Cinta" (Love Letter), Ebiet G. Ade's "Berita Kepada Kawan" (News to A Friend), Doel Sumbang's "Arti Kehidupan" (Meaning of Life) or Fariz Rustam Munaf's "Barcelona".
Djakarta Artmosphere was successful in creating a one-night-only atmosphere, combining good music between two different generations.
"To be honest with you, I think it's quite hard to catch a ride to get back to my era. But White Shoes & The Couples Company is the best car I can use to return to that age," said Fariz before opening his collaboration with White Shoes & The Couples Company. Also collaborating was Oele Patisellano, the respected veteran guitar player.
Known widely for his ability to cross music genres, Fariz played keyboard on White Shoes & The Couples Company's "Senja Menggila" (Raging Twilight), the band's latest single from their second full album, to be released later this year.
Ballad singer Doel Sumbang shared the stage with Efek Rumah Kaca, considered one of the most noteworthy bands today. "I think I'm the oldest guy around," Doel said.
Doel covered Efek Rumah Kaca's "Di Udara" (In the Air), their personal tribute to Munir, the human rights activist who died from arsenic poisoning a few years ago.
The other collaboration that night was between Sore and Ebiet G. Ade. Ebiet didn't cover Sore's songs. But of course, "Berita Kepada Kawan", one of Ebiet's most famous songs was played that night.
In summary, the gig was a blast. Djakarta Artmosphere will last for a long time in people's minds. It was also essential proof that music has no boundaries.
As Doel Sumbang said to the audience during his set, "We should do this kind of concert more often." Everyone who attended the gig was lost in time. For them, the generation gap never existed.
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