Starry nights with live music, fall foliage

By Han Sang-hee

Come and enjoy music and the breezy weather on the soft green grass this weekend at the Grand Mint Festival.

The annual music event has been held since 2007, and despite its rather short history, it is considered one of the best music events of the season.

The promotions for the festival was launched almost three months ago, revealing lineups and various events that will take place at the spacious Olympic Park, southern Seoul.

The Grand Mint Festival is divided into five stages: the Mint Breeze Stage, Club Midnight Sunset stage, Loving Forest Garden stage, Cafe; Blossom House stage and Busking in the Park stage.

Top artists include Yang Bang-ean

(Oct. 23) and Lee So-ra (Oct. 24) on the Mint Breeze Stage; Lee Seung-hwan and Clazziquai Project (Oct. 23) and Kim Yu-na and Teenage Fanclub (Oct. 24) on the Club Midnight Sunset stage; Jung Jae-hyung, Epitone Project, Gukkasten (Oct. 23) and Hot Potato and Lee Ji-hyeong (Oct.24) on the Loving Forest Garden stage and numerous indie bands and artists appearing on the other two stages, Cafe Blossom House and Busking in the Park.

Since there are so many bands and artists appearing at the festival, it will be quick and easy to check out the must-sees and personal favorites before actually going. The festival organizers announced some of the recommended shows, including Korean-Japanese pop artist Yang Bang-ean and 77-year-old accordion player Shim Seong-rak.

Ballad singer Lee So-ra has finally decided to appear on stage after four vigorous years of persuasion, while “the king of live” singer Lee Seung-hwan will return to the “minty” stage after a three-year hiatus.

Kim Yu-na, vocalist of the group Jaurim, rock singer Lee Seung-yeol and singer, pianist and songwriter Jung Jae-hyung and electronic dance duo Peppertones have been favorites for the past years, and fans will get to see them once again, while artists such as Clazziquai and Epitone Project will meet Grand Mint fans for the first time.

Foreign artists will also show off their tunes at the festival. Legendary Scottish band Teenage Fanclub will appear here for the first time, while bosa nova and pop artist Olivia from Singapore and American singer songwriter Chris Garneau are also planning to wow the audience with their music.

Actress Han Hyo-joo, also known as the “festival lady,” has been working as the goodwill ambassador for the event and she will also show off her vocal skills.

The 23-year-old actress recently released “Don’t You Know” with Korean pop duo No Reply and she will perform the song with the group live on the Mint Breeze Stage Oct. 23.

Organizers have set out some guidelines for a better concert atmosphere, such as permitting fast food and bicycles and limiting the number of the audience per stage.

Special booths will also be installed to accommodate visitors, including stands for coffee, cupcakes, tacos, magazines and records.

The festival will be held on Oct. 23 and 24 at Olympic Park, southern Seoul. Tickets cost from 66,000 won to 110,000 won. Visit www.grandmintfestival.com.