I only knew a few of the acts this year at Wonderfruit, but that’s what I love about music festivals—there will always be great music to be discovered. Which is certainly what happened here. I found new music to love, and new people to call friends along with it.
I remember being at Soi Stage where most electronic music acts would play at night and being completely blown away by London-based DJ, Catching Flies. I discovered him on Soundcloud many months ago, and I couldn’t believe I was finally seeing him. His music, let alone hearing him play them at a live set, was truly transcending.
A South American girl was dancing soulfully next to me, not a care in the world. I loved her free-spiritedness. She turned to me and with a wide smile said, “How are you? Enjoying the music?” “Yes! I’m a big fan of this guy!” I answered back almost shouting to let my voice be heard. “I don’t know him, but I LOVE his music!” She tells me. All around us I could see people from different corners of the world in their own elements, truly enjoying the music and the experience of it all. I basked in the pretty rawness of that moment.
Catching Flies
Eventually I did bump into one of my friends from the tutktuk again, two British girls, and they gave me access to the tent area so I could come hang with them. It’s like a little neighborhood, that camp site. We ended up having a chat with the ladies at the nearby tent, and even met a Norwegian girl in an amazing gypsy get-up and who called herself the “glitter mama.” She offered to put glitters on my cheeks.
Tarot reading
On the last night of Wonderfruit (four incredible days of this!), I was at the bar, waiting for my drink. But Rhye had just started playing. I was hopping around, both incredibly excited and impatient for my drink. “Is this your music?” The bartender asks me under his thick Thai accent. “Yes! I love Rhye!” I tell him. “Okay! Okay!” He rushes through finishing my drink, and as soon as he hands it to me, I say my khob khun krap and bolted. I whizzed and squeezed my way into the crowd and found a good spot near the front. And, as always, once the music takes over, inhibitions vanish and I am left swaying, dancing, singing with my eyes closed, completely lost in the music. Rhye, bro. Rhye.
RHYE
I have come to realize that with a fest at such a grand scale as Wonderfruit, the best way to experience it is to simply let it happen to you. Much like in traveling. That hurrying around, trying to see everything all at the same time will not only exhaust you, but will leave you missing out on the important moments.
Moments like quietly sitting on the grass with your cuba libre, allowing the music of a great artist drown you in its melodies—as opposed to taking a hundred photos just to find the right one to post on Instagram. Or taking your time to order your food, chatting with the owner and finding out his mother is also from where you are from. Or walking away from some bad vibes only to stumble into people dancing to drums in a circle around a mandala of stones and flowers, and realizing you were meant to walk away and find that instead.
After a long first day at Wonderfruit—and surviving yet another daunting adventure of figuring out how to get back to the city—I finally arrive at the hotel, exhausted yet surprisingly happy. I pause to take this photo, and I caption it:
“Celebratory selfie after a mad first day at Pattaya. The joys of not knowing your direction and ending up
right where you should be—in the presence of the ladies with the stories and the face glitters.”
Like I said. Moments.
Being set in Thailand, South East Asia’s leading travel hub, it is incredible how Wonderfruit can be both an artistic and a cultural experience. Exactly the kind of festival Asia has been waiting for, like our own version of the massive international festivals we all just used to pine for online. Wonderfruit won’t just ignite your love of music; it will also be a reminder of why connecting is such a beautiful thing. It’s the convergence. The gathering of people to enjoy a shared experience. People with kindred spirits coming together for a celebration of good music, art, and wondrous, soulful youth.
Special thanks to The Confluence, Third Culture Music, and Philippines AirAsia.
WONDERFRUIT FESTIVAL
Watch out for Wonderfruit 2016. Keep posted through these accounts:
www.wonderfruitfestival.com
www.facebook.com/wonderfruitfest
Instagram: @wonderfruitfestival
