Java Jazz Festival made its return this year at the JIExpo Kemayoran in Jakarta.

While dubbed a "jazz" festival, the three-day weekend showcased various kinds of music and artists inspired by the beloved genre.

This year’s Java Jazz theme Let Music Lead Your Memories brought both nostalgia and modernity across 12 stages with acts like The Chicago Experience, Fariz RM and Friends, Laufey, Stephen Sanchez, Perunggu, and more.

Here's what went down at Java Jazz Festival 2023. 

All kinds of musical experiences

While a variety of artists took over multiple stages at the festival, fans also took part in the musical experience with the Teh Botol Lounge. The crowd sang along to one hit after another Oom Leo, Ronal Surapradja, Adjis Doa Ibu, and Reza Chandika.

It’s karaoke night! tunes from early 00s hosted by Oom Leo, Ronal Surapradja, Adjis Doa Ibu, Reza Chandika at Teh Botol Sosro Lounge! What a fun night 🌃 #BNIJJF2023 pic.twitter.com/Ag8KAysuug

— Java Jazz Festival (@JavaJazzFest) June 4, 2023

Sing-alongs of ABBA's ‘Dancing Queen’ and Oasis' ‘Don’t Look Back In Anger’ could be heard across the massive venue.

Festival Rookies

Up-and-coming acts like Hojean, Reality Club, Noni, Lorjhu’, Gangga, Kaleb J, and more made their Java Jazz debut, making their mark at one the biggest jazz festivals in the world.

All that jazz (and more)

It’s no secret that Java Jazz is a festival that features a wide range of musical acts – not just those you'd consider to be in the jazz genre. This year, the likes of MAX, ALI, Perunggu, ENVY*, and Fiersa Besari took the Java Jazz stage.

The Standouts

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Java Jazz Festival (@javajazzfest)

Chicago! tribute band, The Chicago Experience brought classics like 'Call on Me,' ‘You’re the Inspiration,' ‘Make Me Smile,’ and ‘Just You and Me’ to the Java Jazz stage. Spicing things up, the group also brought Danny Seraphine and Jeff Coffey onstage.

The Chinese-Icelandic singer-songwriter Laufey made an impressive Java Jazz debut as she performed to one of the biggest crowds at the festival. Filling up Teh Botol Hall, the artist brought jazz music to a younger audience with ‘Fragile,' ‘Valentine,' and ‘Beautiful Stranger’ from her album Everything I Know About Love, as well as ‘Let You Break My Heart Again,' 'Like the Movies,’ and ‘Falling Behind’.

Singaporean singer-songwriter Sezairi made his Java Jazz debut this year, but his history with the festival goes way back to 2011. In an interview with Hear65, he shared how his 2011 festival experience made him realise that all he wanted to do was make music and perform for an audience like Java Jazz. Over a decade later, the Singapore alum returned as part of the lineup to perform to thousands of people singing 'It's You' back to him.

Stephen Sanchez closed the main stage with a high-energy set. Jumping up and down and moving around with his guitar, he played his hit single ‘Until I Found You,' as well as ‘Hey Girl,' ‘Hold Her While You Can,' and ‘Kayla’. He also treated fans to a cover of ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ by Queen, as well as a surprise duet with Laufey.

American multi-instrumentalist Cory Wong graced the BNI Hall stage on Day 2. The GRAMMY-nominated act showed off his guitar skills alongside his live band. Performing ‘Assassin,' ‘Let’s Go,' ‘Flyers Direct,' and ‘Welcome 2 Minneapolis,' ‘Lunchtime,’ and ‘Dean Town,' Wong brought his A-game and more to the festival

MAX closed Day 2 of Java Jazz with a performance like no other. The American soloist hyped up the crowd saying, “Stand up Jakarta, we are having a party. Are you ready?" before opening his set with ‘Colour Vision’. He also performed ‘Holla,' ‘WASABI,' ‘Savage,' and 'Mug Shot'. When he performed 'Blueberry Eyes,' he tried his best to do BTS SUGA's rap parts and nailed it.

Ariel brought songs from his Peterpan and NOAH eras. The crowds trooped to BNI Hall and sang along to all the songs such as ‘Topeng,' ‘Kupu-Kupu Malam,’ and ‘Yang Terdalam’. Bunga Citra Lestari also made a surprise appearance in a duet for ‘Somethin’ Stupid’ by Frank Sinatra.

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Java Jazz Festival (@javajazzfest)

The audience went on a trip down memory lane with Deddy Dhukun, Mus Mujiono, Fariz RM and Vina Panduwinata, alongside Fiery Band. Taking music fans on a nostalgic ride, the group performed ‘Masih Ada,' ‘Aku Ini Punya Siapa,' ‘Arti Kehidupan,' ‘Sakura’, ‘Nada Kasih,’ and ‘Barcelona’. True to their legendary status, Fariz RM & Friends definitely gave one of the best performances of Java Jazz 2023.