By Ines Min
Staff reporter
The annual Seoul World D.J. Festival kicks off this Saturday for its fourth installment of house music, beats and innovative rhythms. The two-day extravaganza will showcase 42 artists from four continents, serving as a venue for artists to collaborate and inspire one another in an idyllic spring setting.
Concertgoers will have access to non-stop electro at the Nanji campgrounds along the Han River, after listening to beats from such artists as Fantastic Plastic Machine (FPM) from Japan, Australia’s Vandalism, Freemasons from the United Kingdom and Dirty Disco Youth from Germany.
The festival’s motto, ``Everyone participates, with zero onlookers,’’ will reach the crowds through such adrenaline-pumped experiences as the ``Silent Disco.’’ The festival practice involves a DJ transmitting beats straight into wireless headsets for participants, which effectively creates a dance scene without sound to passersby.
Other main events will include the ``No Tricks Battle International League Korea vs. Japan,’’ in which two teams of artists from the two countries will compete for victory. The event hopes to open new gates for the DJ culture, ``seeking their development through exchange,’’ according to festival organizers.
The ``Festiville’’ program will bring together a plethora of communities, where artists and attendees can interact directly in hands-on activities, performances and exhibitions. The mini-festival looks to provide a place for innovative networking, to help connect the arts cultures of Korea.
Split into four stages, the Global stage will act as the main venue, while the Jager stage will host popular local artists, including expatriate musicians. The Innertrip stage will combine experimental performances with music, while the Black Zone will be the mainstay for hip hop artists.
Local artists will include both Korean DJs Lee Sang-eun, Nae-gwi-e Do-chung-jang-chi (Wiretap In My Ears), Guckkasten, SoulCompany and Soul Dive.
The festival began in 2006 as part of the ongoing Hi Seoul festival. The 4th Seoul World D.J. Festival launches Saturday at 2 p.m. and goes till Sunday around 6 p.m. Tickets cost 55,000 won. For more information visit www.worlddjfest.com.