By UK/Indonesia 2016-18 team

01 November 2018 - 17:34

From Kunokini’s tantalising mélange of traditional and modern sound to the frenetic neurodiverse punk of The Fish Police, via Hilang Child’s dreamy, atmospheric slant, it goes without saying that the Kick-Off Gig for this year’s installment of UK/ID Festival offered a little something for everyone.

Although only comprised of three main members, Kunokini is flanked by a handful of additional players for their live performance. For UK/ID Festival, they even brought in a DJ to splice electronic elements into their otherwise acoustic-based sound. 

They also debuted a new song called ‘Anak Panah’ (‘Child of Arrow’), written with Northern Irish singer-songwriter DANI - who was initially slated to join the performance - during their recent residency in the country.

Alternating between traditional Indonesian influences, jazz sensibilities and pop melodies, Kunokini never missed the beat and delivered an energetic, rousing set.
Similarly, Hilang Child’s Ed Riman – typically a one-man show – became a three-piece for the occasion, with a synth player and a drummer providing an extra kick and dimension to Ed’s lush, delicate sonics.
The London-based Hilang Child charmed the crowd, which included members of his Indonesian side of the family, with his atmospheric, piano-based anthems, counterpointing between quiet and loud, gentle and intense. 
After back-to-back impressive outings, there was no foreseeing the greatness that was to follow. True to the idiom ‘saving the best for last’, The Fish Police capped off the night with a bang with their infectious brand of electronic Afro punk and pure rock ‘n’ roll swagger.
To say that the quartet - Dean Rodney (vocal), Matthew Howe (guitar), Charles Stuart (bass) and Andrew Mclean (drums) - entertained the spectators would be an understatement; they had everyone on their feet, moving and dancing with reckless abandon to the band’s catchy yet off-kilter numbers, consequently leading the kick-off into a grand finale full of vigor and verve.

“I like how they mix Indonesian folk songs with traditional and modern instruments, which sounded great together.”

Rain, audience member.