Korean music festivals in 2024 - our HUGE guide to the biggest events in Korea
The Korean music festival scene is currently having a bit of an explosion, with there being seemingly more and more announced weekly. But luckily for you, we’re here to sort through the list and give you our dead honest opinion about each one.
With that said, what each person wants from a festival is entirely different. As a music magazine, we base our picks for the best ones on lineups and atmosphere mostly. Festivals in Korea are generally not like ones in places like Europe and North America. For better or worse, they’re calmer, safer, cleaner affairs. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t some mischief to be had.
It’s by no means an exhaustive list. For starters, we’re an indie mag, so we won't be covering the festivals that focus on pop, EDM, or hip-hop. It’s just not our bag, baby.
Also, we’re sure there’ll be loads coming out in the next few weeks as things get a bit warmer. We’ll try and stay on top of this and keep updating it.
The list is in chronological order of when they will happen or when we think they’re likely to happen. Again, we’ll try and change it if we hear anything.
The Glow
Where: KINTEX, Gyeonggi-do
When: April 13-14
How much is it: 110,000 (1 day) 176,000 (2 day)
Who's playing: Jannabi, Silica Gel, Adoy, Thornapple
Reasons to go: The lineup is basically a who's who of Korean indie
Reasons to skip: It's in a convention centre
This year's inaugural The Glow has a jaw-droppingly good lineup of Korean indie talent. It feels like you asked AI to generate an ideal Korean indie lineup.
It's hard to know exactly what the vibe will be for this one since it's their first. But it does take place in a convention centre, so…
Sang Sang Festival
Where is it: Chuncheon Art Centre
When is it: April 27-28
How much is it: 1 day 66,000won (but all sold out)
Who's playing: Everyone. JANNABI, Silica Gel, IDIOTAPE, Bosudong Cooler
Reasons to go: You already have a ticket.
Reasons not to go: You don't already have a ticket
Speaking of ridiculous lineups, this, for sure, is in that category. While it doesn't boast any international acts, it is absolutely jam-packed with Korean indie royalty. The problem for you, dear reader, is that it sold out in about five minutes.
Lovesome
Where is it: Jamsil Olympic Park
When is it: April 27-28
Who's Playing: New Hope Club, The Solutions, 10cm, OurR
How much is it: 99,000-110,000 for 1 day
Reasons to go: If you're somewhere between a pop lover and indie kid, this might be your guy.
Reasons to skip: Lotta pop, can’t really dance.
Lovesome is very much one of the “picnic festivals”, in that you’ll likely (but not definitely) be sitting down to enjoy the music. It also is, by far, the poppiest festival on this indie magazine’s list. It does have some cool stuff this year, though, including The Solutions, New Hope Club, and Platform faves OurR.
The Air House
Where: is it: Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do
When is it: 24-26 May
How much is it: 99,000-109,000 (1 night), 179,000 (2 nights)
Who's playing: IDIOTAPE, Animal Divers, Afrodite, Conan
Reasons to go: Great atmosphere, good lineup of DJs, have added live bands
Reasons to skip: If you're not a fan of electronic music, this isn't for you. Also, they do several a year so if you miss one, you could catch the next.
The Air House is a tonne of fun, especially for beat heads. The whole thing has a tribal feel, and it has been celebrated for its atmosphere. The upcoming one (which is very soon) sees the organisers branch out and include live bands.
The only downside for this one is that it has been known the get fucked up by rain. So bring some wellies.
Seoul Jazz Festival
Where is it: Jamsil, Seoul
When is it: May 31-Jun 2
How much is it? 1-day tickets are 187,000 won. 3-day tickers are 420,000won
Reasons to go: Chill day, very cool lineup, it's well-organised, you're a bazillionaire
Reasons to skip: Very expensive, not especially jazzy
If you're looking for a calm, chill afternoon watching interesting musicians from abroad and closer to home (some of which may actually be jazz), and you're comfortable spending like a week's salary on tickets - Seoul Jazz Festival might be for you.
Look, there's no sugarcoating it. It's an expensive festival. But the really cool lineup makes it (almost) worth it.
Platform Top Pick
DMZ Peace Train Music Festival
Where is it: Cheorwon, Gangwon-do
When is it: June 15-16
How much is it: 77,000won (1 day), 110,000won (2 day)
Who's playing: Kirara, The Orb, Seaweed Mustache
Reasons to go: Diverse, unique lineup, international acts, top-notch atmosphere
Reasons to skip: Tricky to get to
DMZ is a socially conscious outdoor festival with an awesome lineup. Every year, the organisers bring a specially curated set of artists from all over with the plan to send a message of peace through music out into the world. It's always an absolute riot and is widely considered to have one of the best atmospheres of any festival. It can be a little tricky to get to, especially if their shuttle bus sells out. But it's worth it.
Platform Top Pick
It's A Fest!
Where is it: Muui, Incheon. Baby Doll, Sinchon
When is it: June 14-16
How much is it: Free to attend (4 person accommodation is 225,000won and includes a shit tonne of merchandise) 50,000 for the whole weekend.
Who's playing: Iman's League, Rux, The Geeks, The Reseters
Reasons to go: One of Korea's rare punk-focused festivals, great atmosphere.
Reasons to skip: Indoor.
Well, there’s been a bit of a twist here, as It’s a Fest will no longer be taking place at it’s regular beach location in Incheon. Instead, it’ll happen at brand new venue Baby Doll. In a short space of time, Baby Doll has built up a bit of buzz around Korea’s punk scene, so it will definitely be worth checking out.
While this is a shame in ways, we have complete faith that It’s a Fest will still pull off an incredible party. As one of the few punk-focused fests in the country, it’ll be a very fun time.
Asian Pop Festival
Where is it: Paradise City, Incheon
When is it: June 22-23
How Much is it: 2 days is 143,000
Who's Playing: Japanese Breakfast, CHS, Nell, Lang Lee
Reasons to go: Really great lineup of local and international acts. Decent price. At a resort.
Reasons to skip: Hard to give any reasons as it's the first one.
This is a tough one to judge, as it will be their first outing. The lineup is absolutely smashing, though. It's at a massive resort in Incheon... we're not really sure how that will work, but maybe you can do resorty stuff between the bands? Watch the incredible folk music of Lang Lee and then have a little dip in the pool? (We take no responsibility if you are not allowed to dip in the pool).
But yeah, the lineup is well worth taking a chance on.
Park Music Festival
Where is it: Jamsil Olympic Park
When is it: June 29-30
Who's playing: Jannabi, 10cm, Silica Gel, The Poles
How much is it: 109,000won for one day
Reasons to go: Fun lineup of indie pop bands, chill atmosphere
Reasons to skip: It's a pretty calm festival, so if you're looking to go nuts, it might not be for you.
Park Music Festival is organised by BEPCTANGENT, a group known for putting together big EDM and K-pop festivals. Surprisingly, the vibe of Park Music Festival is very different to what you might expect. The aim here is to create a really chill live music experience that is open to people of all ages (well, over 12 years old anyway).
Have a Nice Trip
Where is it: KINTEX, Gyeonggi-do
When is it: July 27-28
How much is it: 1-day pass, 132,000won
Who's playing: Travis, Alvvays, King Krule, Peach Pit, Kiss of Life
Reasons to go: Huge international names playing.
Reasons to skip: It's in a convention centre.
Have a Nice Trip is ANOTHER festival by the Mint Paper team, who have a pretty amazing track record for music events in Korea. The lineup this year is wild and cause for genuine excitment here.
It's in a convention centre, though, and won’t quite have that festival atmosphere.
Top Platform Pick
Pentaport Rock Festival
Where is it: Incheon
When is it: August 2-4
How much is it: Blind tickets and early bird sold out but based on them, around 220,000 for a full weekend.
Who's playing: Jack White, Turnstile, Kim Gordon, Sepultura.
Reasons to go: Most iconic indie rock festival in the country. Usually gets a great headliner.
Reasons to skip: Erm, it gets a bit hot? There are not many reasons not to go tbh.
Pentaport is the Mac daddy of Korea's current festival scene. It's not the biggest one, but its standing in the indie community here is unparalleled. It's always a fun time, too.
This year has decent acts at the top of the bill, with Jack White and Turnstile headlining. The mid-card, though, is where the fun is, though, with some of Korea’s bestest bands playing.
Jeonju Ultimate Music Festival
Where is it: Jeonju, obviously
When is it: August 9-11
Who's playing: The last two have been a mix of big names from indie and pop
How much is it: Blind Tickets were about 80,000-105,000won. We’d guess full price will be about 100,000-130,000.
Reasons to go: Usually fun lineup, is outside of Seoul, Jeonju has the best choco pies.
Reasons to skip: You don’t live near Jeonju.
Jeonju Ultimate Music Festival is very much a hybrid, with 50% of the performers being from the world of indie and rock (and even punk), and the other 50% being pop. The atmosphere here is actually better than you might expect and the people in Jeonju come to party. Also, choco pies.
Gwangju World Music Festival (ACC World Music Festival)
Where is it: Gwangju, Jeolla-do
When is it: Unconfirmed, but likely the end of August
Who's playing: An assortment of Korean and international artists playing music inspired by folk tradition
How much is it: Unconfirmed but cheap as chips. The last one was 30,000-50,000 won for three days.
Reasons to go: A unique lineup of international musicians. You live in Gwangju.
Reasons to skip: Limited available tickets might make it tricky.
The ACC (Asian Culture Complex) is the absolute crown jewel of Gwangju. The ambitious art project in Gwangju’s downtown district puts on a shit tonne of interesting events, the most famous of which is their World Music Festival. Attendees will get to see a really impressive lineup of creative musicians from all over the world.
Music Flow Festival
Where is it: Bupyeong Arts Centre
When is it: Unconfirmed but likely end of August
Who's playing: Unconfirmed, but some decent indie bands played last time|
How much is it: Free as a bird
Reasons to go: Free, family-friendly, decent enough lineup
Reasons to skip: Finishes about 9pm
Music Flow Festival is the kind of event where you could take your kids and your grandparents and your pet (maybe) and you would all actually have a pretty great time. The music is a mixed bag, but they usually have some very cool stuff. Also, it’s free. Can’t complain about that.
Top Platform Pick
Block Party Music and Art Festival
Where is it: Itaewon, Haebangchon
When is it: September
How much is it: One day, usually around 30,000-40,000. Two days, around 60,000-70,000
Who's playing: Who isn't?
Reasons to go: This is our festival, and we're really lovely people? Also, we have lots of non-music stuff like drag, comedy, wrestling, etc.
Reasons not to go: you hate fun
Ok, so, full disclosure - this is our festival. But we are damn proud of that fact. There have been two Block Parties so far, and both of them have filled the streets of Itaewon with more music and shenanigans than you could know what to do with. While we can't give too much information away on our next one just now, watch out for updates soon.
Busan Rock
Where is it: Busan, obviously
When is it: October 4-6
How much is it: Unconfirmed, usually 110,000 for one day, 170,000 for two days.
Who's playing: Kasabian, Anne-Marie, Windy CIty.
Reasons to go: Decent lineup. It is in Busan
Reasons to skip: The last couple of years have been marred with issues
Busan Rock Festival is probably the most iconic festival in the southern half of Korea. It's been known to get some awesome acts as well as some of Busan's best emerging bands. The last few outings have had their issues, though (huge lines, running out of drinks, other logistical stuff). Hopefully, they have worked all that out now cause if they have, this will be a great event.
Zandari Music Festa
When is it: Unconfirmed but likely September or October
Where is it: Various bars around Hongdae
How much is it: Usually around 70,000won
Who is playing: It'll have some of Korea's coolest acts as well as some international acts. Loads of French bands.
Reasons to go: Diverse and interesting lineup. Cheap tickets. It's a showcase festival, so it's good for networking.
Reasons to skip: This is sort of like a music insider thing so everything feels a bit professional, it's not really for people looking to party.
Zandari Music Festival is a Hongdae-based showcase festival. It also gets some really great acts and is a great place to communicate with people from Korea’s music scene. It can be a little schmoozy at times, with networking being one of the key features of the fest. That’s not to say that there aren’t loads of fun times here, though. We’ve danced our ass off at Zandari. But you will go home with a wedge of business cards.
Slow Life Slow Live
Where is it: Olympic Park, Jamsil, Seoul
When is it: Unconfirmed, but the last one was in October
Who's playing: International pop acts, probably
How much is it: Unconfirmed. Loads though.
Reasons to go: It'll have some famous names.
Reasons to skip: It costs a fortune and looks a bit boring.
Slow Life Slow Live is a music festival organised by Private Curve, the same people who run Seoul Jazz Festival. Their aim is to create a boutique music festival. Which is fine, but with that comes boutique prices. Slow Life Slow Live came in last year at about 170,000 per day. But for that, you got to see the likes of Jessie J or Alan Walker or Aminè.
Woodstock
Where is it: If it happens, unclear. Likely Gyeonngi-do.
When is it: Could be a month from now. Could be six months from now. Could be never.
Who is playing: Could be Paul McCartney. Could be Akon. Could be neither.
Reasons to go: It's Woodstock, so that could be cool.
Reasons to skip: Last year was a cluster fuck.
Oh, boy. Where to even start with this one? It was announced in 2022 that there was going to be an officially licensed Woodstock event in Korea, and people got mad excited. Organisers were talking big about the kind of acts that would be part of it. Paul McCartney? Guns ‘n’ Roses? When the first lineup came out, there weren’t any international names mentioned, but some very big and impressive Korean artists were featured, so people said, “OK, let’s wait and see”.
Then the ticket price came out, and it was not cheap. So, speculation about the international names reached a fever pitch.
Then they announced that Akon would be headlining. Then they drastically reduced their ticket price. Then they postponed it. Then they cancelled the whole thing.
It was an absolute shit show. But, but, but we really do want there to be a Woodstock here. So we’re hoping that there’s another twist in the tale and that they actually pull it off. Let’s see, though.
Jarasum Jazz Festival
Where is it: Jarasum, Gyeonggi-do.
When is it: October 18-20.
Who's playing: A mix of international and local jazz and jazz-adjacent artists.
How much is it: 1 day - 80,000, 2 days - 140,000, 3 days - 180,000.
Reasons to go: If you're a serious jazz fan, you will love this.
Reasons to skip: If you're not a serious jazz fan, you might not.
This is one for the real jazz heads, as it’s lineup boasts jazzy talent from all around the world, with some really well-respected names taking their stage over the years.
