Jisan Valley Rock Festival 2009

One of the most exciting events during the last summer vacation as a university student was Jisan Valley Rock Festival 2009 (July 24th, 2009 to July 25th 2009). Because I had to study to prepare the public school teacher appointment test, there was not so much fun as I used to have before. JVRF was the biggest fun of cool(air conditioning was really good in library) but boring summer.


It was the first JVRF but the history is not too short. There was Triport Rock Festival in 1999. It was held in Incheon and the half of the festival was ruined because of heavy raining. After a year, Triport seemed to be held again, but it was cancelled because of low ticketing rate. On 2006, Triport was revived as Pentaport Rock Festival. Although it rained during the festival period, it was a successful one and the success continued for two more years. On 2009, there was a roumor that the festival will split in two and the roumor proved to be truth. Two companies who are planning the festival together had some disagreement and one of them decided to make another festival on their own. So JVRF was born. Pentaport and JVRF started on the same date in different places. I decided to go to JVRF because it is more like last year’s Pentaport. (This year’s Pentaport failed to construct fascinating line-ups.)


The concept of JVRF this year was ‘Go Rock, Go Green’. It was really in nature. The festival site was made in ski resort. It was surrounded by mountains and that was obvious difference with Pentaport where musicians play near city.


On the first day, I arrived there a bit late. I had 3 wrist bands on. The white one is to enter the festival site, the purple one is to enter the camping site and the orange one is to DRINK!!!!!!:D I missed several bands to set up my tent. Jimmy Eat World was the first band I saw.

Fall Out Boy from the U.S. was next. They played passionately but the response was rather cool. It might be because it was too bright then. Rainy Sun (I know it's hard to recognize but they are!), Korean band who came from Busan, played on the sub stage.I moved back to the main stage to see my favourite Korea band Crying Nut playing. They are always cheerful.And to the sub stage again! There was British band Starsailor. (I need to buy a new camera.) I left the sub stage before Starsailor finished playing because of...

WEEZER! He prepared a special guitar only for Korean gig and practiced heaps of Korean to speak on the stage!

On day 2, I missed American band called Airborne Toxic Event. It is the biggest mistake during 3 days of festival.:(

Anyway, here are Lee, Han Chul and his band. He always play well on the stage. I'm going to see his gig on this Friday. I'm really looking foward to it.:)

Next was Human Instinct. I don't know much about them except that they are old and Kiwi.This is another favourite Korean band, Deli Spice!

Legendary Korean Rock n' Roller, Kim, Chang Wan played with his band.It must be Korean band Windy City. I don't have much interest in these guys.

British electronic music group Basement Jaxx was next. Since 2007 Pentaport, electronic musicians are headlining one of the festival days. BJ was good enough to finish the night of the second day. They brought all their live member and the show was fantastic.On the last day morning, Bulnabang Star Sausage Club (Bulnabang is a garden tiger moth) played on the stage. Their name is funny because it sounds like Buena Vista Social Club. They don't admit that they got an idea from BVSC. They were funny guys anyway.

Here are the sensational Jang, Ki Ha and the faces!

And Mi Mi Sisters!

Before JVRF, I applied for the signing event and I won the chance to attend Priscilla Ahn's signing event! She is half Korean and half American. And I think she is not a human being. She is the Goddess.

Korean girl Yozoh is playing.

Legendary Patti Smith is playing on the main stage! People have the power!The Goddess appeared on the sub stage with her guitar!3 days of festival is alomost finished. My 2nd favorite Aussie rock band JET started playing. I sang along most of the songs they played (even I don't know the exact words:P)

After JET, Sister's Barbershop played on the sub stage. It was the second time to see them playing this year. I love their music a lot.And FINALLY!!!! It is OASIS!!

They were the best! I can not explain more. Recently they broke up the band. It is very sad news. I think I am a fortunate guy because I have seen them playing before they disappeared.

And this was the end of the 3 day festival. I don't know where I will be next year and what I will do, but I'm pretty sure that on the last weekend on July, I will be in JVRF 2010!