By John Redmond
Now in its fifth year, the Haebangchon (HBC) festival hosts its spring edition themed “May Festival,” welcoming the foreign and Korean music communities to eight venues in the popular expat neighborhood.
Kicking off midday on May 21 at selected clubs, restaurants and bars located in Haebangchon and Itaewon in Seoul, the HBC festival will feature some 60 acts.
With performances that range from rock bands, folk musicians and traditional Korean performing artists and even a burlesque review, the twice-a-year festival has over the past four years grown to embrace a growing wealth of local and international talent.
Always expanding, the festival is a local neighborhood initiative guided by Lance Reegan-Diehl, an internationally acclaimed musician who has been the central organizer since day one.
All performers and spectators are asked to remain in designated venues especially in the evenings to control noise levels.
“As with previous events we’re trying to keep people off the streets as we are trying to keep noise levels down,” said Reegan-Diehl.
There are also traffic concerns as the main street is a busy bus route.
“So far no serious incidents regarding traffic have been reported, and organizers want to keep it that way.”
The festival is considered a “gift” from the local businesses who want to thank their regular customers and also invite other people, who normally wouldn't venture down from Itaewon, to sample the delights offered in “Liberation Village,” or Haebangchon.
With warm weather and good music going on all day, the festival has quickly become one of the most anticipated events on the annual music calendar.
When it first started back in the summer of 2006, the festival pulled together around 20 bands in three bars, some of whom are still on the bill for this spring festival.
The listed venues are, Orange Tree, Phillies (upstairs and downstairs), La Verte, The Local, Pita Time, Casablanca Sandwich and VFW.
Copies of the "HBCF Live 2010" CD recorded at last year’s spring festival will also be on sale along with a commemorative t-shirt.
For full band lineup, list of venues and directions, visit HBCFest.com.