More Than A Festival

Wonderfruit Festival, Thailand’s pioneering globally conscious, cross-cultural live celebration of art, music and life, today revealed what is in store for Wonderers in The Fields this year. Built on six unique pillars, Wonderfruit is more than a festival, but rather a journey that begins the moment you enter The Fields at Siam Country Club. This year, the site will be transformed into an experiential playground packed with 60+ music acts from all over the globe, 20+ stunning art installations and dazzling theatrical performances, 55 exquisite gastronomic delights, 30+ engaging talks & workshops, 35+ wellness & adventures offerings, plus plenty of interactive activities for the whole family – all intertwined to create an immersive experience for Wonderers.

Since its inception, Wonderfruit has always thrived to bring a diverse, genre-bending lineup of live performers that span the musical spectrum, and this year is no exception with numerous musical acts from around the world.

The Living Stage will be home to notable and diverse mainstage acts from head bangers like Rudimental, ​famous for their heavy hitting beats and Young Fathers​, a hip-hop trio from Scotland, to the eclectic likes of Kate Simko & London Electronic Orchestra ​with their mesmerizing blend of live orchestral and electronic music, Shura​, famous for her new wave synthesized sounds and soothing vocals and Grammy nominated singer, Lianne La Havas.​

Those not ready to call it a night, will most likely end up at The Quarry​, Wonderfruit’s legendary after party destination. Get ready to dance till you drop to genre-defying sounds by Simian Mobile Disco and ​the distinctive tunes of European electronica by Yaya​; or brace yourselves for some heavy hitting techno by Nicole Moudaber ​and a dark, hardware-only live set from Headless Horseman​.

Those who just woke up or haven’t slept yet, can climb up the Solar Stage​, at the highest point of The Fields, built by Gregg Fleishman​, who’s known for his creations at Burning Man, to catch unforgettable sunrise scenes.

The Solar Stage will host the performances from Eric Volta​, Sabo​, YokoO and sunrise yoga with Liv Lo and Rosemary, while sunset performances will be hosted by Wolf + Lamb​, Norman Jay MBE​, KMLN​, Marc Antona​, Akimbo​ and more. Farm Stage​, another must-see this year, will see acts like Buke and Gase, Superglasses Ska Ensemble, Yena, Sahai Hang Sailom, Srirajah Rockers, At Adau, Nang Talung Sakon Dharma and more.​ Listen to the Wonderfruit Playlist and know what you’re in store for.

Wonderers are also in for a treat as Forbidden Fruit hosts Wonderfruit’s first ever gay party on Friday night. “Adam and Steve​” features Thailand’s premier drag queen, the inimitable Pangina Heals, ​who’ll delight revelers with her “waacking” performances, outrageous entertainment and plenty of surprises. The appropriately fabulous venue will also be the setting for irresistible music from Luna City Express​, Noxro​ and Uone​ throughout Wonderfruit.

The Rainforest Pavilion ​is ​where Scratch Talks will take place during the day. Get inspired by the talks from Trash Hero Thailand,​ the man behind Indonesian unicorn app GO-JEK and more. At night, the Pavilion ​will delight Wonderers with some techno beats from Agent H, Alex Joy, Cabbit, Zig Zach, Fadi Alurk, Gary Hutchings, Halim Ardie, small&Tall Soundsystem featuring Swamy and David Brabbins​ and others.

But as Virginia Woolf said in her seminal essay, “One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.” Wonderers need not worry as food is another integral element of the Wonderfruit experience and the choices are plentiful. Grab European fare from Marcel​, Thyme and Peppina and sushi from Morimoto – some of Bangkok’s hottest restaurants, or indulge in your favourite street food and keep breakfast going all day long at Rocketfruit​.

Wonder Feasts​, are also back, offering a luxurious communal outdoor dining experience where food and entertainment are in ample supply, and wine flows freely, courtesy of Italasia​. Returning for the second time in two years, maestro of progressive Indian cuisine, Gaggan Anand is throwing a feast with the help of his friend Chef Daniel Chavez of Ola in Singapore. Expect fire-grilled barbecue delights, Peruvian ceviche and other delicacies. Wonderers with a taste for the fare from acclaimed Bangkok restaurants Appia ​and Soul Food Mahanakorn should join chefs Paolo Vitaletti and Jarrett Wrisley as the duo teams up for a reggae brunch. If you are feeling peckish during the day, let Chef Jeriko of Cocotte ​serve you a mouth-watering farm-to-table banquet of dishes from fresh, organic and seasonal products. Those who are looking for something out of the ordinary should check out F.A.C.T. Collective​’s feast, at which chefs Khanaporn “Oom” Janjirdsak and Panupon “Black” Bulsuwan will serve unique dishes that combine the flavours of northern and southern Thai cuisines. (Note: Seat capacity for all Wonder Feasts is limited. More information on pre-booking will be available soon)

Additionally, Wonderers can expect a range of experiences that encourage exploration, creativity and collaboration thanks to SC Asset​, who bring The Sharing Neighbourhood ​back to The Fields, including a new treat for this year – Breakfast for Good Mornings – a truly Thai-style start to the day at Wonderfruit. The Molam Bus Project by Jim Thompson Art Centre is also back by popular demand and will offer Wonderers a chance to experience the authentic culture of Thailand’s north-eastern region Isaan, including music courtesy of All Thidsa and Pimjai Pechpralanchai.​ Don’t forget to check out the Wonder Salon ​by TAT for a Wonderfruit “makeover”, relax in The Ziggurat​, an upcycled-design beer garden by Singha​, or get more intimate and cosy inside Moon Shack by Sangsom.

Apart from talks & workshops, Wonderfruit is also a place where you can strengthen your body and mind through a range of wellness & adventure ​activities. Shed some sweat and try belly dance, body combat and Zumba with the team from GuavaFruit, ​a collaboration of Wonderfruit and GuavaPass​; practice different styles of yoga with international experts, ​and take part in meditation, healing and dance sessions. If you come as a family, stop by Camp Wonder, ​which ​will be jam-packed ​with fun activities to keep the whole family busy.

As well as sustainable, Wonderfruit is also big on technology and safety. The event is completely cashless ​and all Wonderers will receive an RFID wristband, making paying easier and eliminating the need to worry about the safety of your wallet. The wristbands, courtesy of Bangkok Bank​, can be topped up at stations around the festival.

Wonderfruit takes place at The Fields at Siam Country Club, Pattaya from 16 to 19 February 2017. Four-day passes can currently be purchased at 6,600+ when “PHILTCM” code is used for 15% discount. Visit Wonderfruit’s website for more information on securing your tickets, travel, and accommodations.

Photos: Wonderfruit Festival