Past few years, indie music scene in Indonesia colored by various genres. Musicians of various genres offered their own musical characteristics. For example, Efek Rumah Kaca, a Pop-Minimalis band with their own characteristics which are they use Bahasa Indonesia on their each song lyrics, a song theme contains of social issue, critics, and about thought on daily life. White Shoes and The Couples Company with their characteristics on their vintage outfit, song with 1950’s Pop-Jazz tone, and unique voice of their vocalist, Aprilia Hapsari. With all the deals offered by the musician in the indie industry, they have loyal listeners of all ages and professions. From the many genres are offered, there is one genre of music that is quite interesting to watch their development is folk music.
Folk is not new in music. Music is arguably a lot of enthusiasts, it has its own strength. In terms of lyrics that are easy to be recognized and accepted by the public because the diction used in folk song lyrics usually familiar to everyone who listened it.
In 2016, a lot of folk music concerts held in Indonesia. Starting from Silampukau who held a solo concert on March 30, 2016 in Taman Ismail Marzuki, Jakarta. Surabaya duo whose members Eki Tresnowening and Kharis Junandharu. They first concert titled Bermain di Cikini. Furthermore, they perform a solo concert in their hometown, Surabaya. The concert was held on August 18, 2016 in Cak Durasim hall, the concert is called Sowan Durasim.
"I like the Silampukau. From the lyrics, there is a sense of honesty and close to our daily life. It's rare and unique", said Gagah, a connoisseur of music.
Next there is a collaborative project two folk bands of Indonesia, Dialog Dini Hari and Endah n Rhesa (DDHEAR). They are a folk band that has long worked in Indonesia. Dialog Dini Hari, folk-blues trio from Bali, with the husband and wife duo who came from Jakarta, Endah n Rhesa. Initially they got the chance to perform together in Sanur Village Festival in 2015 in Bali. After they performed at the event, come up an idea to collaborate. They made a mini album called Parahita which contains of 3 new songs and the rest are their own songs from 6 songs. They also keep perform their own songs with a different arrangement. The combination of their music is amaze their fans.
They held their first concert on 7 April 2016 at the Taman Ismail Marzuki, Jakarta. After a year of collaboration at the end of 2016 they put an end to this project, and they performed for the last time in the event EARNight, Wedding Anniversary event Endah and Rhesa which was held on December 5, 2016 in Semarang, Central Java.
"For me, this collaboration project is very fresh. They give their unique musical, and the lyrics of their songs are very beautiful. If only this project is a long term project", said Apri, fans of DDHEAR.
Another of the folk band concert held in 2016 is Payung Teduh. The band which has released two albums Payung Teduh (2010) and Dunia Batas (2012) held a private concert for live recordings with the mini orchestra project called Live and Loud. This concert is collaborative project of Yamaha Music Indonesia and Payung Teduh. The concert was held on 17 November 2016 in Hall Yamaha Music Indonesia, Jakarta. In this concert they arranges the songs from the first and second album. The recording of this concert will be released as CD format in 2017.
"I am very curious about the song material performed on this live recording. I'm just watching the footage of their training process of Instagram. Later that album live recording has been released, I'd definitely buy his CD. As a fan, I am very excited with this idea", said Tommy.
Also recently, it held a folk music concert in Jakarta, with the name Cikini Folk Festival. The event was held on December 17, 2016 at Teater Kecil, Taman Ismail Marzuki, Jakarta. The event was initiated by Felix Dass, an observer of Indonesian indie music and indie music festival organizers in Indonesia, will feature soloists and folk bands Indonesia, they are Sisir Tanah (Yogyakarta), AriReda (Jakarta), Adrian Yunan (Jakarta), Iksan Skuter (Malang), Jason Ranti (Jakarta), Junior Soemantri (Jakarta), Bin Idris (Jakarta), Sir Dandy (Jakarta), Gabriel Mayo (Jakarta), Harlan Boer (Jakarta), Vira Talisa (Jakarta), dan Marjinal (Jakarta). Festival organized with this simple embodies the indie genre of folk musicians to perform their work.
"I hope the folk music festival could take place annually, and the event can be more festive again in the future. So that the public can see and enjoy the simple rhythm of folk music", said Egy, a visitor of Cikini Folk Festival.
With the development of folk music in Indonesia in 2016, people began to see and listen to the works of folk music in Indonesia. Folk music will continue to live because of its consistency. Folk music is not going to be consumed by time. Iwan Fals, Frankie, Doel Sumbang, until Balada Harian Silampukau will continue to be enjoyed by the listeners of music.