Live Music Fun This Summer!

It’s difficult to imagine a better way to enjoy summer than with friends, some drinks and live music. The warm weather is begging people to get outside and the music festival summer extravaganza is about to kick off! Here’s a list of the festivals to look out for to listen to live music and dance the summer away:

1. HaeBangChon May Festival

May 22-23, 2015; HaeBongChon local bars & pubs, Seoul

This year is the 10th anniversary of HBC fest and if you’re looking for a good way to kick off the summer with some good eats, craft beer and loads of foreign bands, this is the local fest for you. Venues include Camarata, Rabbit Hole, Phillies Rock Pit, VFW, Thunderhorse, Southside Parlor, Kimchi Sounds and more. There are loads of musical acts to enjoy but for just a taste, you can see Lay Bricks, Band Minha, Grand Soul Central, Whatever That Means, Pentasonic, Dave Beck Band, Used Cassettes, Kite Flying Robot, Ssighborggg!, Baekma, & Burning Hepburn.

2. Greenplugged Festival

May 23-24, 2015; Nanji Park, Han River, Seoul

With the weather warming up and the sun shining, Nanji park will be full of music and fun and ready for you and your picnicking friends. The line-up includes YB, Dynamic Duo, Trans Fixion, Gogoboys, Phone Booth, The stray, Epitone Project, Pia, Superkidd, Every Single Day, Gogostar, Bye Bye Sea and many more great acts. Just up the road from Hongdae, it’s easy to get to and sure to be a good time.

Tickets at the door: 1 day – W77,000; 2 day – W119,000

3. Seoul Jazz Festival

May 23-25, 2015; Olympic Park

In it’s 9th year, the Seoul Jazz Festival is bringing together some great musicians for people to enjoy and kick off the summer in jazzy style. The line-up includes: Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock, Basement Jaxx, Robert Glasper Experiment, Jazzanova Live featuring Paul Randolph, Caro Emerald, Owl City, Kingston Rudieska, Mika, John Scofield Uberjam, Bebel Gilberto, The Bad Plus, Jeff Bernat & Band, Arturo Sandoval, Gregory Porter, The Cardigans and more.

Tickets: 1 day – W137,000; 2 day – W190,000; 3 day – W287,000

4. Exit Soundholic Festival

May 30-31, 2015; Jamsil Sports Complex Stadium, Seoul

Look no further than the Exit Soundholic Festival to see some of your favorite Korean indie and rock artists. The line-up includes Crying Nut, Glen Check, No Brain, Romantic Punch, Deer Cloud, Peter Pan Complex, Wiretap In My Ear, Number One Korean, Sugar Donut, Ruby Star, Beat Burger, Yeonnam-dong Dumb & Dumber and loads more

Tickets: 1 day – W66,000; 2 day – W88,000

5. UMF Festival

June 12-13, 2015; Olympic Stadium Complex, Seoul

UMF doesn’t really need an introduction. The festival that takes place in venues all around the world will make a stop in Seoul and you won’t want to miss it. The line-up will showcase David Guetta, Alesso, Hardwell, Nicky Romero, Skrillex, Knife Party, Snoop Dogg, Kennedy Jones, Galantis and so so many more. Only a limited supply of tickets are available, so get them ASAP.

Tickets: 1 day – W110,000; 2 day – W180,000

6. Rainbow Island Music Festival

June 20-21, 2015; Nami Island, Chuncheon

Not only is this festival perfect for some fun in the sun, but what is better than  being on an island? Water, music and lots of activities and camping too. The line-up includes the Kim Changwan Band, Super Junior, Sultan of the Disco, Barberettes, Used Cassettes, Mimi Sisters and more. For easier access, there’s a shuttle bus available from Hapjeong Station, check their site for more information. Not only is Nami Island a must-see place when there isn’t live concerts, with the fest going on, it’ll be even more reason to get out of Seoul.

Tickets: 1 day – W44,000; 2 day – W77,000

7. Ansan Valley Rock Festival

July 24-26,2015; Ansan Daebu Island

The setting for the Ansan Valley Rock Fest isn’t the only reason people love this fest. The line-up always gathers good acts and camping out with good music is always a good choice to make in the summer. Confirmed artists include the Foo Fighters, The Chemical Brothers, Idiotape, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, deadmau5, Benjamin Booker, Ride, Apollo 18, Ok Go, Rock’n Roll Radio, Galaxy Express, Daybreak, Dearcloud, Motorhead, Twenty One Pilots, Gogostar and more will continue to be announced. For cheaper tickets, check out their website and grab yours early.

Tickets: 1 day – W15o,000; 2 day – W220,000; 3 day – W260,000

8. Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival

August 7-9, 2015; Songdo Pentaport Park, Incheon

If you’re into rock and electronic music, this festival has been a favorite of many since 2006. The name comes out of the combination of the five main themes of the fest: music, passion, eco-friendly, DIY and friendship. The first line-up to be released includes Seotaiji, The Prodigy, 10cm, The Kooks, Mew, Pia, Solutions, The Used and Yellow Monsters with more acts to be added.

Tickets: 1 day – W130,000; 2 day – W180,000; 3 day – W22,000

9. Busan Rock Festival

August 7-9, 2015; Samnak Ecological Park, Busan, Korea

In it’s 16th year of providing some great music to fans down in Busan, this festival is a must see. If you need a reason to head down south, this is sure to be it. Not only can this festival rock your socks off, but at the same time, the larger Busan Sea Festival which this rock festival is under the umbrella of, is taking place. Thirty festivals in one! The rock fest has gotten bigger and bigger each year and showcases Busan’s own homegrown musicians as well as other rock and metal acts from across the country and abroad. The first line-up announced includes: Finch, Galaxy Express, Every Single Day, Biuret, Yellow Monsters, Gogostar and End These Days.

Make sure to check out their websites for early bird ticket prices and plan your summer outings now!

*Posters and pictures found on the websites listed above.