Jisan Valley Rock Festival kicks off Friday

Red Hot Chili Peppers / Courtesy of CJ E&M

By Park Jin-hai

Jisan Valley Rock Festival, one of Korea’s two biggest rock festivals, will kick off Friday, attracting festival-goers to an off-season ski resort for three days of great music.

The 2016 Jisan Valley Rock Music & Arts Festival, celebrating its seventh year, will bring in some 70 musicians and their fans to the Jisan Forest Resort in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province, from July 22 to 24.

The festival will feature American rock band the Red Hot Chili Peppers, returning to Korea after 14 years with their 11th album released in June, as well as Russian-German DJ Zedd and English electronic duo Disclosure.

Other highlights include English rock band Kula Shaker, who recently released their fifth album "K 2.0" to celebrate the band’s 20th anniversary, plus Scottish rock acts Travis and Biffy Clyro. Music lovers can also see Birdy, a talented 20-year-old British singer-songwriter who at the age of 12 won the 2008 Open Mic UK music competition.

Various local musicians ranging from ballad to hip-hop, R&B and electronica will also perform as well. Ballad singer Lee So-ra will join the rock festival for the first time, and rapper Zico from local boy band Block B and indie-rock acts Kiha & the Faces, Guckkasten, Hyukoh and others will help enthusiastic music fans enjoy every minute of the festival.

“Aside from rock music, fans can appreciate a wide selection of music acts, including electro dance and hip-hop during the three-day festivity,” said a festival organizer of CJ E&M.

Tickets range from 144,000 won to 234,000 won and can be reserved on Interpark. Visit valleyrockfestival.mnet.com for more information.