Indonesian & Australian talents take centre stage at Nongkrong Festival

Nongkrong festival has announced a series of immersive events celebrating Indonesia and its diaspora’s culture through food and music, organise by Indonesian-Australian siblings Moira and Darryl Tirtha.

The festival kicks off with various food events, including masterclasses, pop-ups and panels from January 29, culminating on February 3 with an unmissable day party at Collingwood Yards in Naarm/Melbourne, Australia.

Curated by Sophie McAlister, the offering of sounds widely stretches across the Indonesian diaspora and musical styles whilst remaining cohesive through the day. There will be live sets, traditional Javanese music, r’n’b, UK club tracks, neo-soul, bass, minimal, disco, house and even some techno to enjoy alongside the wide selection of food on offer. This will be broken up with unmistakably Indonesian sounds scattered throughout the performances.

Joining the line-up are Komang (live) with groove and neo-soul, Rino (live) with his visceral electronic music, Munir fusing Indonesian vibes with futuristic beats, Sophie McAlister herself with house, disco, jungle, bass and techno and finally, Bayu of A Colourful Storm will close the festival with his eclectic selection of luscious sounds.

Nongkrong is not just about the music, though. Roughly translating to ‘hanging out’, it captures the sense of timelessness and openness and aims to act as that timeless bubble, inviting the hectic scene of Naarm/Melbourne to return to ‘island time’ and simply enjoy.

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When asked about the intersection of music of food, Moira told Mixmag Asia: “You’re unlikely to nongkrong without food or music. I think it’s almost an assumption that when you’re bringing people together, there will be food involved. As a cultural festival of sorts, sharing food and music is the easiest way to share culture because it’s something everyone can resonate with in some way."

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They also mention how the festival “largely focuses on the practices of the Indonesian diaspora in Australia and sharing diaspora culture as a culture of its own. The food and music chosen reflects the intersection of craft and place; how being in Indonesian in Naarm has shaped our creative processes and work”.

Through this event, Moira and Darryl hope to kickstart an all-inclusive community — not only of the Indonesian diaspora but a much broader one, embracing all backgrounds and creative communities.

Pick your activities and purchase tickets to Nongkrong Festival here.

Henry Cooper is a Writer at Mixmag Asia. Follow him on Instagram.