Summer music festival to feature mix of folk, popular, and jazz songs.
A vibrant summer music festival is on the horizon, promising an exciting blend of folk songs, popular hits, and jazz melodies. Led by Lee Hee-moon, a renowned Gyeonggi folk song student celebrated for his unique take on traditional music, this event will feature over 200 participants. From well-known pop music artists like Choi Baek-ho and In-sooni to talents in classical and traditional music, a diverse and talented lineup awaits audiences.
Scheduled to take place from July 4 to 26 at the National Theater of Korea, the 16th edition of the Fox Rock Festival carries the theme “Invitation to the Strange Folk Song Country.” This theme aims to revive the essence of popular music folk songs, reflective of the lives and emotions of the Korean people in the past. The Fox Rock Festival, meaning “Here is our music,” stands as a prominent festival in Korean traditional music, boasting a total audience of 82,000 and an average audience share of 80%. It marks the festival’s 16th year with a dedicated focus on a specific genre.
During a press conference in Seoul at the National Theater, Director Lee Hee-moon emphasized the importance of creating hit songs out of folk tunes. He expressed his eagerness to bring folk songs, often regarded as niche culture, back into the mainstream spotlight through the collaboration of esteemed musicians invited to the Fox Rock Festival.
The festival is curated into three distinct branches: “Guardian: The One Who Keeps the Tradition,” a platform for masters dedicated to preserving folk song traditions; “The Wizard: The One Who Fascinated,” showcasing genre-defying interpretations of folk tunes; and “The Alchemist: The One Who Makes an Unexpected Combination,” merging folk songs with other musical genres.
The “Guardian” segment will feature the performance of “Gujeonsimsu,” highlighting esteemed masters Lee Chun-hee, Kim Soo-yeon, and Kim Kwang-sook, custodians of national intangible heritage. “The Wizard” promises captivating renditions such as “Youth Song” by singer Choi Baek-ho and Park Seung-won of the world music group “Riseong,” “The Story of Two Love” by In-soon and Seo Do singer Yoo Ji-sook, and “Mode” with jazz vocalist Ungsan and geomungo player Lee Jae-ha. In “The Alchemist,” an intriguing collaboration between male contemporary dance group “Modern Table” and the female game sound group “Nabi” will be showcased.
The 16th Fox Rock Festival is set to be a captivating celebration of music, weaving together the past and present through the vibrant tapestry of folk songs, popular tunes, and jazz melodies. With a talented lineup and a thematic focus on revitalizing traditional folk songs, this event promises to be a unique and enriching experience for all music enthusiasts.