Travel Now! Magazine BEATS DRIVING | Page 35

Jisan Valley Rock Festival • Korea The Jisan Valley Rock Festival is held in Seoul in a similar environment to the Fuji Rock Festival in Japan. It competes with many other big-name music gatherings in Korea by offering partygoers and music fans in South Korea a unique opportunity to see some of the world’s most acclaimed rock musicians. Since its debut in 2009, the festival has presented international stars and bands like The Cure, Muse, Elvis Costello and the Imposters, Radiohead and many more, which is why it is quickly catching up with the Fuji Rock in terms of stature. 05 05 Baybeats Festival • Singapore This 3 day alternative music festival organized by The Esplanade in Singapore not only showcases Singaporean musicians but also allows indie performers from across Asia to demonstrate their talents. What is really interesting with this festival though is the budding bands program, in which music industry veterans coach new talents, who are then allowed to perform at the Baybeats Arena and the Powerhouse Stage. Baybeats is undoubtedly the music festival that has positioned Singapore as a prime alternative music festival destination to the world. Midi Music Festival • China What started as a session of student recitals in Midi school of music in 2000 soon became an event for many local bands to display their talent while it gathered a huge fan base instantly. As of present, the Midi Music Festival is China’s biggest rock festival that attracts as much as 40,000 to 80,000 visitors who flock to see the performances of more than 40 bands who have arrived from all corners of China. With less hiccups here and there, the festival occurs almost every year to the delight of its enormous fan base. Most of the sessions are conducted at various public gardens outdoors to accommodate the large crowds. 05