The 19th edition of BNI Java Jazz Festival 2024 was a sure-fire representation of why it continues to be one of the largest jazz festivals in the world. 

Held at JIExpo Kemayoran across a 3-day weekend, the BNI-helmed festival saw fun-filled booths, mouth-watering treats, a myriad of acts who graced the 12 stages, and more notably, attendees who did not shy away from showcasing their love and admiration for the musicians.

Here’s what went down at BNI Java Jazz Festival 2024.

INDONESIAN EXCELLENCE 

Indonesia’s rich and vibrant local music scene took the centre stage throughout the three days. 

MALIQ & D'Essentials, Credit: Java Jazz Festival Instagram

MALIQ & D’Essentials proved that their music was essential for the countless Indonesians who filled the Teh Botol Sosro Hall. Whether it was the soulful serenade of ‘Romantis’ or the spunky beats of ‘Funkflow’, the crowd kept their infectious energy by singing and grooving along unapologetically. 

Afgan

Taking the biggest stage at the festival was pop sensation, Afgan, who exuded effortless charisma and charm through his dazzling dance moves and smooth vocals. To say that Afgan is well-loved by the Indonesian crowd feels almost like an understatement — Simply waving at the crowd and flashing a smile (showcasing his prominent dimples) was enough to elicit screams that echoed throughout the BNI hall. 

Hivi!

The three days saw a blend of old-time faves such as Hivi!, who stirred a sense of nostalgia in audiences who had been listening to them since high school, alongside rising acts such as Ardhito Pramono, whose velvety vocals perfectly complemented his jazz melodies, as well as indie-pop band Coldiac, known for their catchy tunes. 

STAR-STUDDED NIGHTS

Laufey’s prominence in the modern jazz scene was unmistakable as evidenced by not one, but two sold-out shows on the first and second days of the festival. 

Her second special show on Day 2 drew a massive crowd that seemed to encompass the majority of the festival attendees. Literally. A winding line stretched from the BNI hall to the festival’s entrance. Amidst the chaos of running, milling with the crowd, and waiting for our tickets to be scanned, it took us nearly 45 minutes to finally enter the hall.

Despite the initial chaos, the GRAMMY-winning artist’s performance left us in awe. Chants repeating “Laufey! Laufey! Laufey!” echoed throughout the stadium in anticipation.

“Oh my God! There’s so many of you here! I’m so very excited to be back here, my last concert here was so memorable!” Laufey beamed, after opening the night with ‘While You Were Sleeping’.

She enveloped the hall with her warm resonant voice, seamlessly switching between the guitar, piano, and cello — It wouldn’t be a Laufey set without witnessing the multi-instrumentalist in action right?

Laufey whisked the crowd away with hits like ‘Valentine’ and ‘Beautiful Strangers’ to which the crowd responded with wholehearted love, singing along to every lyric. It’s not everyday that you get to experience such a moving display of a collective passion and vigour. As a perfect end to the sonic feast, she invited her twin sister, Junia, to perform the violin accompaniment for ‘From The Start’. 

“I just wanna encourage anyone in the audience; If you have a dream, if you have a vision, go for that sh*t,” Snoh Aalegra expressed, eliciting cheers from the crowd.

The sentiments of her success ultimately rang true. Performing for the first time in two years, Snoh Aalegra’s headlining show was one of the most highly anticipated shows of the festival. The seated venue was quickly abandoned by fans who ran (yes, us included) forward hoping to gain a better glimpse of the artist and bask in aural delight.  

@dam.ctrl To finally have this moment is surreal. #snohaalegra #snohalegrajakarta #snohalegrajavajazz #tangerinedream @SnohAalegraOfficial ♬ original sound - Adam Bruises

Snoh transformed the BNI hall into a mesmerising realm with her sultry voice, each note coated with heartfelt warmth, as she opened with ‘Woah’. Her impassioned discography proved to be timeless as the crowd screamed, chiming in to older hits like ‘Nothing Burns Like The Cold’ and ‘Situationship’, alongside her latest releases ‘Be My Summer’ and ‘Sweet Tea’. 

Snoh’s vocal prowess shone throughout the night as she gracefully sang through a range of melodies with precision, leaving the crowd spellbound. The closing song ‘I Want You Around’ felt bittersweet. Fans echoed the lyrics after her, clinging onto every last bit of the enthralling set.

SONIC RESONANCE

October London

The three nights featured a mosaic of indelible performances. Whether it was October London’s silky voice that could only leave you yearning for more, Aisha Retno effortlessly gliding through layers of melodies with finesse, The Amy Winehouse Band’s authentic yet buoyant homage to the late singer’s hits or Jessie Reyez’s raw and charismatic act, each performance left a lasting impact, even after the final notes faded. 

Aisha Retno, Credit: Java Jazz Festival Instagram

Legendary acid jazz band Incognito who closed the first night remains vivid in my memory. From the jaw-dropping scat-singing - which left goosebumps on my skin - to the luxuriant vocals accompanied by soulful and groovy beats - it is to no surprise that the band attracted a full house despite their late night performance. 

Incognito, Credit: Java Jazz Festival Instagram

JOVIAL JAKARTA 

Would a few days in Southeast Asia even be complete without sudden downpours? The festival started ideally, with sunshine beams perfectly complementing the liveliness present in attendees all ready to revel in the festival atmosphere. However, the night brought rain, which thankfully quickly diminished into a drizzle, repeating the next evening. Despite inclement weather, the crowd’s spirits remained high, as most were seemingly unfazed by the light rain, carrying on with their festivities. 

There is a certain everlasting magic that lingers in the air in a crowd so willing to let loose and have fun. There was simply no room for a dull moment during the three days. The magnetic energy ever-so-present in the crowd was so incredibly infectious that it fostered a sense of togetherness while watching performances as people collectively belted out lyrics, grooved or swayed their hands to the beats. 

Beyond performances, even the karaoke set at the Teh Botol Lounge brought a pool of people who sang their hearts out and danced along to numerous hits including Britney Spears’s irresistible ‘...Baby One More Time’. 

DELECTABLE TREATS

The array of food and drinks available was aplenty. Upon entering the venue, we were greeted not only by mellifluous performances on the Wonderful Indonesia stage but also by a variety of food trucks ahead, including the mouth-watering Roti’O.

Besides the food trucks, the festival featured a dedicated F&B area adorned with golden fairy lights leading to a large, lit-up orange display of Indonesia’s signature beverage, Teh Botol.

The section was conveniently filled with benches, covered with orange canopies. My favourite part was the MLD Stage Bus conveniently located at the corner, ensuring that you don’t have to miss a set while grabbing a bite.

The sweet and savoury delights seemed limitless — From Ayam Gepuk Pak Gembus, Indomie and Popmie, Pizza Fest, Nonna Pasta and an assortment of sweet treats like Pisang Madu Pasti or Auntie Anne’s, there was something to please every palate. 

ENTERTAINMENT FOR EVERYONE

As a festival suitable for all ages, kid-friendly booths were set up to ensure that young attendees were not short of entertainment between performances. 

The pastel-coloured BNI WONDERLND booth featured ring toss games, a mini golf section, and a colourful snake and ladder board printed on the pastel orange floor. 

On the other hand, Wonderful Indonesia's Beach Club booth transformed the festival atmosphere into a mini beach paradise with bean bags, beach chairs, beach balls and inflatable swans. While the kids had fun playing around with their props, it eventually became a great hangout spot for adults looking to give their feet a much-needed break.

The MLDSPOT Art & Sound Fresh Sphereience booth simply couldn’t be missed. Shaped like a large bright red igloo, the two-story booth continually attracted attention from passersby with bubbles floating from bubble machines and lively electro-pop beats blasting through the air. With concaved mirrors adorning the bright red entrance, interactive kiosks and numerous photo opportunities within the booth, it remained a hot spot amongst teens and young adults. 

EXPLORING JAKARTA 

As if BNI Java Jazz Festival wasn’t thrilling enough, the cherry on top of the trip was Jakarta's sights and vibrant heritage. 

The Wonderful Indonesia Tourism Board kindly brought us on a memorable tour of Jakarta. We learned about Indonesia’s history by visiting the National Monument where we were treated to a stunning bird’s eye view of the city at its observational deck. In addition, the National Gallery that showcased the works of visual artist, Butet Kartaredjasa (BK), featured a bountiful display of intricate and evocative artworks across different mediums, offering a captivating experience for the eyes.

If hands-on activities are more up your alley, Orange Grove has got you covered. The stunning curated space features pottery-making and painting workshops. Coffee lovers can look forward to not only tasting amazing coffee at Ratio Coffee Brewers but also learning about the different fragrances and tastes from varied coffee beans.

Everyone looks forward to a good night’s rest after a full day of activities. This was made easy with our comfortable stay at Mangkuluhur Artotel Suites, the trip’s hotel partner. Each day of our stay began with a delicious spread at the breakfast buffet and ended with tranquillity in our snug, warmly lit room.

In addition to our pleasing accommodation, Jakarta offers a variety of delicacies that are sure to tickle your tastebuds. The city’s culinary scene proved to be both diverse and delightful through the unforgettable chicken satay at KAUM, the unique flavours of Indonesian-Peranakan cuisine at Dapur Baba Elite and the lovely array of nasi padang dishes at Kahyangan by Pagi Sore.

Our weekend in Jakarta and the festival radiated incandescent brilliance. Overcoming festival blues is tough but we can eagerly look forward to the festival’s 20th anniversary next year!