I’ve had some really solid weekends in Thailand. The weekend of Wonderfruit, though, has to be one of my favorites so far. Not just a music festival, Wonderfruit also focused on food, art, and community. One of the main selling points of the event was the focus on sustainability, a fresh idea in a part of the world that doesn’t yet take that very seriously. Combine those ideals, and this first year event was primed to be my favorite festival yet.
Ja, Cat and I set off on motorbikes for the fields at Siam Country Club, about an hour from the seedy town of Pattaya. After the dust was wiped from our faces and our tent set up, we explored the pop-up structures and art installations scattered throughout the festival grounds, all reminiscent of a boutique festival from the UK. Makes sense – the production was a collaboration with Secret Productions, the people behind Secret Garden Party and Wilderness.
Our first night was spent wandering the grounds, stopping to dance along with Fat Freddy’s Drop and Hercules and Love Affair at the Living Stage, a structure that will remain constant on the grounds for future events. Towards the end of the night, we discovered the Quarry, a hideaway off the main site where world renowned DJs played until the sun came up.
Daytime was pretty lazy – festival goers like us who camped onsite would spend the sunny afternoons lounging in the beach area by the lake or among pillows in the shade. As the sun set, we would grab a snack from a food truck, paint our faces and head to our chosen stage. Jose Gonzalez’s set was beautiful, Woodkid’s was unreal. Late nights found us in the Quarry to dance like idiots to DJs I don’t remember.
Wonderfruit withdrawals are very real. I’m not going to try to explain it…you should just come this year.
Here’s a small selection of some of the more popular singles of the major bands at the festival:
Woodkid – Run Boy Run // Iron
Jose Jonzalez – Down the Line // Leaf Off/The Cave
Fat Freddy’s Drop – Ernie // Bones
Little Dragon – Twice // Ritual Union
Hugo – Bread and Butter // Hurt Makes it Beautiful
De La Soul – Me, Myself and I // Much More
The Quarry. DJ sets play late night until the sun rises…amazing ambiance.
Camera Obscura from RMA Institute – a giant pinhole camera!
Cat in the hat.
Miss V, Fashion Features Editor of Vogue Thailand
My favorite art pieces…these wooden beasts were crafted from reclaimed wood. Kicking myself for not getting more detailed photos of them.
She never lets me photograph her! We’re working on it. As I’m working on taking my camera with me more often and taking more photos – kind of got caught up in other things during Wonderfruit (good thing), but I’m wishing I had photographed more.
Secret Keepers
Sunset from the Sunrise Stage.
I…broke my tent…
De La Soul
Cat, feelin’ it
See you in December, Wonderfruit.
depaysement 