Editor’s Top Pick At Wonderfruit Festival
Finishing of the fourth season at Siam Country Club near Pattaya, Wonderfruit festival over the weekend saw not only sun and thunderstorm but also impeccable music curation that would just awaken anyone’s musical taste buds.
Finishing of the fourth season at Siam Country Club near Pattaya, Wonderfruit festival over the weekend saw not only sun and thunderstorm but also impeccable music curation that would just awaken anyone’s musical taste buds.
Wonderfruit
We picked five acts from the impressive lineup of indie, folk, pop and electronic names that we think were Wonderfruit’s best so far and why.
Izzy Bizu at Wonderfruit
Illustrated as “a voice of sunshine” and drawing inspiration from Amy Winehouse and Diana Ross, her enchanting vocals draws an immediate crowd at the open-air Solar Stage during sundown where she belted out a fusion of addictive and tranquil jazz mixes. The Brit Critic’s Choice award winner has sold out two UK tours and churned out exceptional performances at Glastonbury, Longitude, Lovebox, Secret Garden Party and now Wonderfruit.
Curtismith at Wonderfruit
Nothing better to wrap up the afternoon to Thailand’s sunset and chill and yet provocative commentary from the Filipino rapper Mito Fabie aka Curtismith. His knack for soothing electronic beats over his conversational rap makes for an ambient mood. His commentary on hopes and desire on the Filipino society, culture and the life of a modern millennial gave a glimpse into the issues we are all emotionally familiar with no matter what our backgrounds are.
Beat Taro x The F.A.N
Beat Taro x The FAN at Wonderfruit
This collaborative project between hip-hop group The Fan and Beat Taro showcased a modern jazz-funk fun blending traditional Thai influence with a wide range from Fender Rhodes to continuous underlining of heavy synth, mixed with temperamental rhymes and riveting vocals. These two Thai groups have united their passion for soulful and jazzy hip-hop amplifying the message that music does unite, who cares about language barrier here.
Chronixx & Zincfence Redemption
Chronix Zincfence Redemption at Wonderfruit
Nurtured by his dancehall artist father Chronicle, this young Jamaican is no stranger to the music stage. His solo tours have reached as far as the Americas to the Oceanic region, Trinidad & Tobago, Australia and Canada. He grew up surrounded by the likes of Burro Banton and Gregory Isaacs and his performance at Wonderfruit characterises the epitome of reggae music at its finest. What else can we say?
Little Ale
Let Wonderfruit’s youngest DJ set you to the mood with unreleased tracks received directly from her hero, Bhaskar. Her distinct sound of Brazilian Bass at the Rainforest Pavilion at Wonderfruit showed that just about anyone could be a DJ no matter the age. Of course, having a father as a prominent DJ helps too.
Singto Numchok at Wonderfruit
Multi-award winning pop star Singto Numchok gets everyone grooving to his music with a 7-piece band consisting of saxophonist, bassist and keyboardist performing catchy tunes to a mixed crowd of mostly Thais who sang along to his lush melodies and inspirational lyrics. His charm, the main star of the show, sets us all into the mood for the perfect sundown gig at the fields of Siam Country Club.
Jui Juis at SOT Wonderfruit
Consider that music is repetitively elaborated although that’s not what is actually known to music listeners. If you think Jeremy Loops as California’s mastermind behind loop music then Jui Juis LIVE version is just as spectacular. Truly a one-man band, the variety of sound from his guitar and its progressive sound of the loop machine just proved that a performance can sound as diverse and complex as a big jazz band. You’ve gotta watch it to believe it. Its sound is truly captivating!
