DMZ Peace Train Music Festival
{{Short description|South Korean annual music festival held in Cheorwon}}
{{infobox music festival |
| music_festival_name = DMZ Peace Train Music Festival
| image = Cha-Cha and Glen Matlock at DMZ Peace Train Music Festival.jpg
| caption = Cha-Cha formerly of Korean punk band No Brain and Glen Matlock formerly of UK punk band Sex Pistols perform together at DMZ Peace Train Festival 2018 on June 24 in Cheorwon County.
| location = Cheorwon, South Korea
| years_active = 2018 - present
| dates = September 2-3, 2023
| genre = Rock, Alternative rock, Indie rock, World music, Punk rock, Electronic music, Folk music
| website = [http://dmzpeacetrain.com DMZ Peace Train Music Festival]
}}
DMZ Peace Train Music Festival is a music festival held in Cheorwon County, Gangwon Province, South Korea. It is held close to the border with North Korea, and is intended to promote peace and unification at a place symbolizing division of the Korean Peninsula.{{cite news |last1=Sherwin |first1=Adam |title=Glastonbury curator launches new DMZ "peace festival" in Korea's Demilitarized Zone |url=https://inews.co.uk/news/glastonbury-team-to-stage-peace-festival-in-korean/ |accessdate=9 April 2019 |date=8 May 2018}} It was held as relations between the two Koreas warmed up.{{cite news |last1=Turner |first1=Ashley |title=Sex Pistols' Glen Matlock Played a Music Festival Organized at the Korean Demilitarized Zone |url=https://music.mxdwn.com/2018/07/05/news/sex-pistols-glen-matlock-played-a-music-festival-organized-at-the-korean-demilitarized-zone/ |accessdate=9 April 2019 |date=5 July 2018}}
Hosted by Seoul City, Cheorwon County, and Gangwon Province, the event was created when Glastonbury Festival and The Great Escape Festival main booker Martin Elbourne visited Korea in 2017 and visited the DMZ with Zandari Festa organizers Dalse Kong Yoon-young and Lee Dong-yeon. Elbourne returned in January 2018 and convinced Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon, Gangwon Governor Choi Moon-soon and Culture Minister Do Jong-hwan to fund the festival.{{cite news |last1=Dunbar |first1=Jon |title=Anarchy in the DMZ: music fest rocks for peace |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2018/06/177_250900.html |accessdate=9 April 2019 |publisher=The Korea Times |date=19 June 2018}} In 2019 the event has additional sponsorship support from the Korea Tourism Organization. The festival is managed domestically, while Elbourne serves on the advisory committee alongside Stephen Budd of Africa Express and Martin Goldschmidt of Cooking Vinyl.{{cite news |last1=Dunbar |first1=Jon |title=Legendary lineup comes together for DMZ music festival 2019 |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2019/04/177_267600.html |access-date=23 April 2019 |publisher=The Korea Times |date=23 April 2019}}
Location
The festival was held in various locations in Seoul and Cheorwon in its first two years. Seminars were held at Seoul's Platform Changdong 61, June 21-22, prior to the main festival days. On June 23-24, Goseokjeong Pavilion in Cheorwon right outside the DMZ served as the main venue for the free festival, with smaller limited-access events held within the DMZ at Woljeong-ri station and the ruins of the Workers' Party of Korea headquarters. Some participants took the DMZ Train to Cheorwon for a special program.{{cite news |last1=Carratura |first1=Vincenzo Acampora |title=Give Peace a Chance: the DMZ Peace Train Festival |url=http://korea.net/NewsFocus/HonoraryReporters/view?articleId=161746 |accessdate=9 April 2019 |agency=Korean Culture and Information Service |date=7 August 2018}}{{cite news |title=On board Korea's peace train at the DMZ |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-asia-44599579/on-board-the-train-to-korea-s-music-festival-for-peace |accessdate=9 April 2019 |publisher=BBC News |date=25 June 2018}}
For 2019, DMZ Peace Train Music Festival was held on June 5-9 at Goseokjeong, as well as around the ruins of the former headquarters of the Workers’ Party of Korea as well as near Woljeong-ri station and Soisan mountain.{{cite news |last1=Im |first1=Eun-byel |title=Near barbed wire fences of NK, music festival to sing for peace |url=http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20190224000135 |accessdate=22 April 2019 |date=24 February 2019}} Talks were held at Platform Changdong 61 on June 5 and 6.{{cite news |last1=Park |first1=Soo-hyuk |title=DMZ Peace Train Music Festival to be held near former WKP headquarters in Cheorwon County |url=http://www.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_northkorea/883518.html |accessdate=9 April 2019 |publisher=The Hankyoreh |date=25 February 2019}}{{cite news |last1=Kim |first1=Eun-young |title=Second DMZ music festival to promote peace on Korean Peninsula |url=http://www.korea.net/NewsFocus/Culture/view?articleId=171264 |accessdate=7 August 2019 |date=28 May 2019}}
North Korea was alerted about the festival so the noise would not be misunderstood.{{cite news |last1=Courtney |first1=Ian |title=DMZ Peace Train Music Festival In The Works For South Korea |url=https://celebrityaccess.com/2018/05/04/44958/ |accessdate=9 April 2019 |date=4 May 2018}}
Contrary to many participants' expectations, they reported the festival was light-hearted and the location peaceful.{{cite news |last1=Maresca |first1=Thomas |title=International music festival sends message of peace at DMZ |url=https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2019/06/10/International-music-festival-sends-message-of-peace-at-DMZ/8831560175335/ |accessdate=7 August 2019 |date=10 June 2019}}
Tickets
The first year was free entry, with 12,000 attendees RSVPing their attendance.{{cite news |last1=Dunbar |first1=Jon |title=Anarchy in the DMZ: music fest rocks for peace |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2018/06/177_250900.html |accessdate=9 April 2019 |publisher=The Korea Times |date=19 June 2018}} For the second year, tickets are being sold in order to help the local economy and prevent no-shows. Festivalgoers receive vouchers equivalent to the ticket price which may be redeemed at local businesses.{{cite news |last1=Park |first1=Soo-hyuk |title=DMZ Peace Train Music Festival to be held near former WKP headquarters in Cheorwon County |url=http://www.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_northkorea/883518.html |accessdate=9 April 2019 |publisher=The Hankyoreh |date=25 February 2019}}
Line-ups
=2018=
Sex Pistols founding bassist Glen Matlock made headlines when he agreed to perform the festival, requesting organisers only cover his airfare.{{cite news |title=Sex Pistols' ex-member says whole world is rooting for Koreas to improve ties |url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20180621011100315 |accessdate=9 April 2019 |agency=Yonhap News |date=21 June 2018}}{{cite news |title=Global Pop Stars Make Beeline for Inter-Korean Border |url=http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2018/06/07/2018060701720.html |accessdate=9 April 2019 |publisher=The Chosun Ilbo |date=7 June 2018}} Matlock performed solo, as well as with Korean punk bands Crying Nut and No Brain member Cha-Cha.{{cite news |last1=Greene |first1=Andy |title=A Sex Pistol Goes to the North Korean Border |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/a-sex-pistol-goes-to-the-north-korean-border-694019/ |accessdate=9 April 2019 |publisher=Rolling Stone |date=5 July 2018}}{{cite news |last1=Dunbar |first1=Jon |title=[Korea by scooter] Anarchy in the DMZ |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/culture/2018/07/141_251932.html |accessdate=9 April 2019 |publisher=The Korea Times |date=9 June 2018}}
It was reported the organizers wanted to invite North Korean musicians to perform, although that ended up not happening.{{cite news |last1=Hong |first1=Dam-young |title=North Koreans may perform at DMZ music fest in June |url=http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20180327000718&ACE_SEARCH=1 |accessdate=9 April 2019 |publisher=The Korea Herald |date=27 March 2018}}
| class="wikitable" |
| Saturday, June 23
|
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| Sunday, June 24
|
|
=2019=
The second festival took place during a stall in US-DPRK negotiations.{{cite news |last1=Salmon |first1=Andrew |title='DMZ Peace Train' raises rock 'n' roll thunder |url=https://www.asiatimes.com/2019/06/article/dmz-peace-train-raises-rock-n-roll-thunder/ |accessdate=7 August 2019 |date=11 June 2019}}
The number of foreign acts increased from 12 to 17. Seoul Community Radio hosted a new dance stage at the event.{{cite news |last1=Bruce-Jones |first1=Henry |title=Seoul Community Radio to host stage at DMZ Peace Train Music Festival |url=https://www.factmag.com/2019/06/05/seoul-community-radio-dmz-peace-train-music-festival/ |accessdate=7 August 2019 |date=5 June 2019}}{{cite news |last1=Maicki |first1=Salvatore |title=Iceage, John Cale, and more to play in Korean Demilitarized Zone |url=https://www.thefader.com/2019/06/04/dmz-peace-train-lineup-iceage-john-cale-korea-demilitarized-zone |accessdate=7 August 2019 |date=4 June 2019}}
Former Velvet Underground member John Cale was announced as one of the foreign headliners, along with Korean-Chinese rock legend Cui Jian and Seun Kuti, son of Nigerian musician Fela Kuti, and Danish punk band Iceage.{{cite news |last1=Kim |first1=Michelle |title=Iceage to Perform at the Korean Demilitarized Zone |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/iceage-to-perform-at-the-korean-demilitarized-zone/ |accessdate=7 August 2019 |date=4 June 2019}} Additionally two former North Koreans performed: pianist Kim Cheol-woong and Korean-Japanese producer DJ Little Big Bee, who was banned from visiting South Korea until recently.{{cite news |title=Korea {{!}} DMZ Peace Train Music Festival 2019 |url=https://culture360.asef.org/news-events/korea-dmz-peace-train-music-festival-2019/ |accessdate=7 August 2019 |agency=Asia-Europe Foundation}}
The following performed in the main festival site at Goseokjeong.
| class="wikitable" |
| Friday, June 7
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| Saturday, June 8
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| Sunday, June 9
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There were also special performances held at more sensitive locations within the DMZ, including a 10-person band featuring indie musicians and dancers inspired by military music.{{cite news |last1=Suh |first1=Jung-min |title=[Reportage] Celebrating peace in a land of war and division |url=http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_entertainment/897313.html |date=10 June 2019}}
| class="wikitable" |
| Friday, June 7
| 1600 | Soisan Mountain |
|
| Friday, June 7
| 1900 | Workers' Party HQ |
|
| Saturday, June 8
| 1300 | Woljeong-ri station |
|
=2022=
The 2020 and 2021 festivals were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The festival was changed to a fee, and all-day tickets were sold for 66,000 won{{cite news |last1=Kwon |first1=Hyeokmin |title=DMZ 피스트레인 뮤직 페스티벌, 1차 라인업 공개! |url=https://www.mixmag.kr/5629 |accessdate=2022-08-22 |date=2022-08-22}}
The following performed in the main festival site at Goseokjeong.
| class="wikitable" |
| Saturday, October 1
|
|
| Sunday, October 2
|
|
As in 2019, there was also a concert at Woljeong-ri station, and two artists participated. It received only 150 attendees.{{cite news |title=[STORY]𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 [월정리역: 끊어진 철로 위의 노래] 티켓 오픈! |url=https://dmzpeacetrain.com/contents/?q=YToxOntzOjEyOiJrZXl3b3JkX3R5cGUiO3M6MzoiYWxsIjt9&bmode=view&idx=12796206&t=board |accessdate=2022-09-08 |date=2022-09-08}}
| class="wikitable" |
| Saturday, October 1
| 150 | Woljeong-ri Station |
|
=2023=
In 2023, they moved the festival week to September, and announced the first line-up involving HMLTD and Mild High Club.{{cite news |title=[STORY]𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 𝗗𝗠𝗭 𝗣𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝟭𝘀𝘁 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗲-𝗨𝗣 𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗡 |url=https://dmzpeacetrain.com/contents/?q=YToxOntzOjEyOiJrZXl3b3JkX3R5cGUiO3M6MzoiYWxsIjt9&bmode=view&idx=15197189&t=board |accessdate=2023-05-19 |date=2023-08-18}} Also Neu!'s Michael Rother was included in the lineup later.{{cite news |title=DMZ Peace Train Music Festival 2023 |url=https://ra.co/events/1722668 |date=2023-08-18}} From that year, the festival run a new camping site called Peace Camp.{{cite news |title=“너만의 리듬에 맞춰”… ‘DMZ 피스트레인 뮤직페스티벌 2023’ 2차 라인업 공개 |url=https://www.kwnews.co.kr/page/view/2023062115292156415 |accessdate=2023-06-22 |date=2023-08-30}}
The following performed in the main festival site at Goseokjeong.
| class="wikitable" |
| Saturday, September 2
|
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| Sunday, September 3
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See also
{{Portal|Rock music|South Korea}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.dmzpeacetrain.com Official website]
- [https://www.facebook.com/dmzpeacetrain Facebook page]
{{Music festivals in South Korea |state=collapsed}}
{{Rock festival}}
{{coord missing|South Korea}}
Category:Music festivals established in 2018
Category:Music festivals in South Korea
Category:Rock festivals in South Korea