Phuket's Roy Fest changes its name to give the second edition of the beach-music blast a broader appeal
After its successful debut last September, Asia's biggest beach dance party returns to Phuket's Karon Beach on Friday.
It drops its Roy Fest name - roy being a local word for delicious - and takes on the more-international appealing title of Phuket Music Festival.
"It will help rehabilitate the image of the country and Phuket. It will also bring smiles back to the faces of Thai people and to foreigners following the political turmoil," says Wiwatchai Boonyapak, executive director of the product promotion department of the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
"Then, tourists from all around the world including Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines and Hong Kong will be back," he adds. "Most importantly, there's a full moon on June 25."
With a budget of Bt15 million, the event features the biggest dance floor in the Kingdom, with 9,200-square metres of beach catering to an anticipated crowed of 50,000 plus visitors.
The fest will offer a variety of music genres such as dance, hip-hop, reggae, ska and bossa by well-known Thai artists including Ta-mone, Joe Fax, Buddha Bless, Job To Do, Maha Jamroen and DJ Spydamonkee.
There's also a new outfit - 4GZM, featuring Sobchai "Ford" Kraiyoonsen, Tannatonn "Aoo" Palakawong na Ayudhya, Nakrob "Dear" Naewnarong formerly of A Cappella 7, and Surachai "Tar" Wongbuakhao formerly of Mr Team.
"The name of 4GZM comes from four-gasm, which relates to the musical climax we reach with our dazzling show," laughs Ford. "I guess some will say it's slightly obscene but it's meant musically rather than sexually."
The band was been together for almost four months following the "Ford & Friends" concert tour, which wrapped early this year. They're now recording an album and hope that it will be out at the end of 2010. The first single is already finished out and it's a soul number called "Roo Khae Dee".
"Our music is based on soul mixed with modern techniques, such as Aoo's turntable spins and Dear's chorus design. At the festival, we'll be playing arrangements of our songs that most people will known as well as new and foreign numbers," says Ford. "It will be a fun. We just want to make music and maybe tour a little."
International acts taking part include DJ Yoji from Japan, DJs Angnelli & Nelson and DJ Activa from UK, and DJ B from Singapore.
"We are ready for this festival," says Tri Augkaradacha, vice governor of Phuket Province. "We have 200 officers taking care of security on the beach and parking for between 300 and 500 cars."
IN A TRANCE
- The Phuket Music Festival is at Karon Beach on Friday and Saturday from 6 to 2am.
- Admission is free.