Bangkok Music City is refashioning what it does best for a new coronavirus (COVID-19) year. The same elements that have endeared the Thailand-based festival-conference to its supporters are still very much around but in lieu of its signature staging at creative district Chareonkrung, it will be livestreamed on November 28-29, 2020 for Thailand-based showcase talents at least from co-working hub Glowfish Sathorn.

“I think that the COVID-19 pandemic has paved the way for virtual music events, whether conferences, concerts, gigs or festivals,” BMC co-founder Piyapong “Py” Muenprasertdee said. “Even though physical is still the best way to experience live music, virtual solutions help make things more cost-effective and efficient.” 

However, if the marquee of slated performers is any indication, the milieu ceases to matter a great deal and it is clear that BMC remains unflagging in scope, breadth and imagination. From the immediate region, there is rock trio FLEUR! and singer-songwriter Leonardo Ringo from Indonesia, ambient duo Euseng Seto and Kent Lee from Malaysia, indie-pop stalwarts M1LDL1FE from Singapore and a multi-fangled delegation from the Philippines namely indie rockers She’s Only Sixteen, Lions & Acrobats and One Click Straight, rap collective Bawal Clan, electronic artist Smow and pop tunesmith Zack Tabudlo.    

Meanwhile, from a bit beyond the region, BMC will be graced by hip-hop outfit Normandie Gang Band from Japan, festival globetrotters WEDANCE, indie groove-meisters CADEJO and self-styled pastel psychedelic band Dabda from South Korea, electro-jazz duo Non-Confined Space and indie-folk quartet Shallow Levée from Taiwan and alt-disco favorite The Derelicts from India.

Furthermore, a veritable indie crème de la crème beyond the hemisphere is in the offing. The roster includes pop rockers Ali Barter and Hayley Mary from Australia, pop-punk quartet Single by Sunday from Scotland, all-female punk-metal act Browsing Collection, indie-poppers The Bongo Club and post-hardcore mainstays KÅRP from Sweden, soul outfit YellowStraps, punksters MSS FRNCE and rough-and-tender songwriter The Rodeo from France as well as indie rockers Pompeya from Russia.

Even more names from varying cultures and regions are set to be revealed in the coming days. The announcement follows BMC’s domestic lineup reveal.

Alec Orachi, Daniel Ryn, Newery, YONLAPA, H 3 F, electric.neon.lamp, DOGWHINE, LAAN, Beagle Hug, Vijit Tawan, Maimhon, The 10th Saturday, Varis, Diaries, LingRom, Makara, Kunst, Faustus, Robbers Bliss and Rattanakosin Breakin Crew are scheduled for November 28, 2020. My Life as Ali Thomas, daynim, Venn, Summer Dress, DCNXTR, Supergoods, S.O.L.E., Lukpeach, Panpan Yeeyee, Yew, Zom Marie, Cloud Behind, HED, The Kopycat, YEP MAY YEP, La Nuit, Grayray, loserpop, Quicksand Bed and Hope the Flowers will perform on November 29, 2020.

BMC takes after predecessors like SXSW in the United States and Zandari Festa of South Korea. However, it prides itself in its distinct character as well as the rabid devotion of the people surrounding it, participants, performers, audience and organizers alike.

“I hope to make [the experience] as good as possible and improve it every year,” Muenprasertdee said. “I also hope to reinvite people who not only create business value but also long-lasting relationships and friendships with others.” 

Billed as an entertainment and technology summit, BMC will also feature talks and sessions on music copyright, gaming and e-sports, artificial intelligence, music streaming, political communications and a sprawling array of related subject areas. Visit the festival’s website https://bangkokmusiccity.com/ for more details and for tickets, go to Ticket Melon.