1st Press
Photograph: 1st Press
Photograph: 1st Press

Chiang Mai’s first vinyl music festival begins this weekend

Here’s all the information you need to get your groove on at Poy Fest and take a dive deep into the world of analog music.

Aydan Stuart
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The wait is over – Poy Festival is here! Chiang Mai’s first-ever vinyl and live music festival takes center stage this Saturday and Sunday (Dec 14-15, 2024), bringing a weekend packed with live performances, a treasure trove of record markets and engaging conversations about the joys of traditional analog music bouncing back hard into the mainstream once again. 

Poy Fest, as the locals are already calling it, is a love letter to all things analog. Forget the streaming links and QR codes – this festival is all about the tactile joy of vinyl records, the buzzing of old cassette tapes and, at most, the occasional CD. For those who love music in its purest form, it’s set to be a refreshing throwback to the era when music was something you held in your hands, not just your headphones.

Whether you’re a hardcore vinyl collector, a live music lover or just here for a good groove under the open sky, Poy Fest has you covered. Picture yourself swaying to soulful beats with a craft beer in hand, surrounded by fellow music lovers on the banks of the Ping river. What you see is what you get at Baan Fa Ham – a picturesque riverside venue tucked conveniently within Chiang Mai city (just search “At Pingnakorn” on Google Maps and it’s right next door). 

Kicking off at 2pm each day, this analog extravaganza promises a celebration of music, nostalgia and community like Chiang Mai has never seen before, with the region’s biggest vinyl tribes making their way here from Bangkok, Chonburi and even Japan.

The record market you can’t miss

Prepare your fingertips for the ultimate crate-digging experience. Vinyl shops from Chiang Mai and beyond are bringing their best – rare finds, classic albums and records you didn’t even know you needed. If what they say is true, it’s going to be a collector’s paradise, or, if you’re new to the scene, the perfect gateway to discover the magic of analog sound.

Vendors aren’t just selling albums and singles either, they’re sharing their expertise and selling record players too. Sponsored by Audio-Technica, you can also pick up your first turntable and learn how to set it up at their booth or even revive your old stereo equipment on the spot. 

Live music that’s not your normal showing

The festival also claims to have a line-up that’s as genre-hopping as your dad’s old record collection. Expect indie vibes from Solitude is Bliss, the dreamy sounds of Yonlapa, and the retro-cool beats of the Paradise Bangkok Molam International Band, to name just a few. A ful line-up is listed below.

There's no doubt that this festival plans to hit the ground running, bringing together Thai legends and international stars for a celebration of sound. They’re so confident in the line-up that they’ve even pressed a vinyl album featuring the best of local legends that you can buy at the event, but stocks are said to be very limited! 

For those who just prefer a dance, head to the dedicated party house located in the garden of Baan Fa Ham where you’ll find a dancehall packed with people jiving away to Chiang Mai’s top DJs spinning vinyl-only sets. From funk to house to who-knows-what-next, these curated beats are designed to keep the energy high all night long. 

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Learn, Share, and Create

Got a soft spot for cassette tapes or simply want to learn more about how vinyl works? Then Poy Fest is where you’ll learn. In addition to their much-anticipated line-up, the stage and other areas will ebb and flow with the sounds of conversations – talk sessions and workshops that share everything from how to care for your records to deep-diving into the culture of vinyl.

If you want to learn more but can’t wait for Saturday, let us kick you off with a bit of Poy Festival trivia: ‘Poy’ is the northern term for ‘musical entertainment’, or ‘maharosop’ in central Thai dialect. 

Drinks for the masses

As with any good festival, it’s not all about the music – it’s about the beer too! Packed with local vendors, make memories with friends drinking an ice-cold five-percenter or refuel on freshly prepared food served by some of Chiang Mai’s most  favourite food vendors. 

But be warned, it’s said that after a few bevvies, buying vinyl becomes much much easier… 

Tickets can be purchased through eventpass or at the door for B500 for one day and B800 for a weekend ticket. There are also Duo passes (great for couples) and the ultimate VIP 2-day pass with Exclusive Chiang Mai Sound Vinyl included in the price. 

More details on their Facebook page

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FULL LINE-UP

Saturday Dec 14

Live Music

  • Migrate to Ocean
  • Nenashi
  • Yonlapa
  • Common People Like You
  • Folk9

Vinyl DJs

  • DJ Funkscribe & DJ Diana
  • 1st Press
  • Mellow Sound Radio
  • Shaky & SCBD

Talks & Workshops

  • A journey through music in Chiang Mai
  • Behind Chiang Mai sound: Music, Challenges and Identity
  • Record Player 101: From Setup to Spin
  • Digging Deep: Exploring Vinyl Culture in Seattle and Beyond
  • Stroll sessions with Para Sipstation & Tempo.wav

Sunday Dec 15

Live Music

  • Wutichai x Apichat Pakwan 
  • KIKI
  • Solitude is Bliss
  • Paradise Bangkok Molam International Band
  • Suthep Band

Vinyl DJs

  • Iarbuckle
  • Jui Juis
  • S1AM
  • Baby Scash
  • Club Patongko x Century Disk Jockey

Talks & Workshops

  • Chiang Mai Disco Fever: A Flashback to the Groove
  • Listening Party Project Vajra’s “Rhymes of the Darkness” 
  • Record Digging 101: Finding Hidden Gems
  • Speed Vinyl Auction
  • Tempo.Radio Live 

 

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