Indonesia Becomes Southeast Asian Rock Music Concert Magnet, Ravel Junardy: May Lose In Popstar, But Can't Lose In Rockstar

JAKARTA - Indonesia in recent years has to recognize the advantages of neighboring countries when dealing with world popstar concerts.

Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga's last visit to Southeast Asia was only held exclusively in Singapore. Then Olivia Rodrigo's The Guts World Tour was only held in Singapore and the Philippines.

However, the problem is different when talking about loud music concerts, whether it's rock, metal, or punk bands. Indonesia can still be proud to be the main destination country for rockstars in the Southeast Asia region.

Most recently, Ravel Entertainment, known as a promoter of hard music specialists, announced the solo concert of Foo Fighters and Muse in Jakarta. So far, Indonesia is the only country in Southeast Asia that they visit via the Asian Tour.

Ravel Junardy as CEO of Ravel Entertainment said this could not be separated from the presence of fans in the country who have been recognized by the world. He said that many Indonesians are willing to spend even enough in to watch his favorite band live.

"Because Indonesia is really cool in the rock industry. We can lose in the popstar, but we can't lose in rockstars or rock concerts," said Ravel when met in Jakarta recently.

"Why is the reason, yes, because there are so many friends out there who want to buy tickets to watch rock concerts. If you don't want to buy tickets, I won't even make rock concerts anymore," he added. Of course because of the extraordinary enthusiasm of the audience in Indonesia.

For the two big bands, Ravel also revealed that the negotiation process went very smoothly, because basically, Foo Fighters and Muse were the first to contact him to appear in Jakarta.

Different from the many concerts of world musicians in Jakarta who hope that the presence of spectators from neighboring countries, Ravel wants Foo Fighters and Muse concerts to be enjoyed as much as possible by domestic music lovers.

"I really hope that our people who watch it in our own country are not outsiders. Even though it actually brings in foreign exchange, I want to entertain the Indonesian people," he said.

When Indonesia for the first time managed to bring Coldplay to appear in Jakarta in 2023, Iman J-Rocks said the enthusiasm of rock music lovers in the country was also higher when he watched concerts in his own country rather than having to travel to other countries.

"If you watch concerts abroad and abroad, it will be different for the vibes, it can be better in your own country, I think if you watch a concert with people we know a lot, it will be fun," said Iman.

M. Shadows during his visit to Jakarta with the Fallen Sevenfold last year also talked about how fans in Indonesia became very special. In fact, they specifically performed the song Dear God which became a favorite in the country for the first time in 15 years.

"Well, Indonesia is very far away. And the fact that there's such a big Avenged Sevenfold fan community here, it's quite special to us. We also know that 'Dear God', somehow, is very touching here. And people seem to enjoy it," said the vocalist. And there was a time when we weren't around to accept it, and when we didn't play it here a few times. But now we think it's something bigger than us, so we're excited to play it for the first time in 15 years."

Not only for the names above, dozens of world bands have also visited Indonesia for their post-pandemic Asian tours, including Deep Purple, Linkin Park, Green Day, Incubus, Saosin, Bring Me The Horizon, Thirty Seconds to Mars, Slipknot, Lamb of God, and many more.

For information, Muse and Foo Fighters will appear at Carnaval Ancol, North Jakarta respectively on September 19 and October 2 as part of Hammersonic's tenth anniversary celebration.

Meanwhile, tickets for the 'Muse Live in Jakarta' concert can be owned from June 16 through the official website at www.muselive Timatarta.com, with prices ranging from Rp1,788,555 to Rp2,888,555.

Meanwhile, tickets for the Foo Fighters: Live in Jakarta concert can already be owned through the official website at www.foojkt.com, with prices ranging from Rp1,788,555 to Rp2,888,555.