More than 20 foreign artists and music bands from 13 countries and territories around the world will perform at the Monsoon Music Festival (MMF) – Việt Nam’s biggest international music festival.

The opening night, slated on October 14 at the Đông Kinh Nghĩa Thục Square by Hoàn Kiếm Lake, will feature performances by bands Galaxy Express from South Korea, Club Mild from Singapore, singer Dolly Ave from the US, alongside Vietnamese bands The Cassette, Mèow Lạc, and Pháo.

The six-day music week entitled “Phố Hàng Nhạc” (Street of Music), inspired by traditional street names in Hà Nội’s Old Quarter where each street sells a different type of goods, dozens of concerts and performances will be held at several locations in the area.

Music lovers can enjoy a diverse range of music programmes staged by artists from Việt Nam, India, the UK, Italy, Thailand, France, Sweden, and the Czech Republic.

Most of the bands and artists performing during the festival were selected through a submission process, held at the MMF for the first time.

“This year, we have pioneered in opening applications for both Vietnamese and foreign artists who wish to participate in the MMF. A total of more than 200 applications from nearly 20 countries were submitted to the organising board,” the founder and director of the MMF, music producer Quốc Trung, said.

Nguyên Lê, vocalist and guitarist of indie band Mèow Lạc, speaks at a press conference of the MMF in Hà Nội on October 4. His band will perform at the MMF 2023 that will start from October 14. — Photo courtesy of MMF

Their performances will take place simultaneously at different venues in the Old Quarter area, including the Centre for Art and Culture at 22 Hàng Buồm Street, the Old Quarter Culture Exchange Centre at 50 Đào Duy Từ Street, the Chuông Vàng Theatre at 72 Hàng Bạc Street, the 1900 Le Théâtre at 8B Tạ Hiện Street, and the Ngụy Như Kon Tum auditorium at 19 Lê Thánh Tông Street.

The lineup of artists performing at the festival also consists of winners of LiveSpace Vietnam – a music contest launched in 2021 by L’Espace in collaboration with the MMF aiming to discover talented local singers and music bands, helping them to develop their music career. The winning bands include Những Đứa Trẻ (The Children), Mèow Lạc, Lope Dope, and Limebócx.

MMF founder Trung will join Xinh Xô – a Vietnamese-American electroacoustic/electronic composer and improviser, to deliver two concerts entitled “The Field of Heritage” on October 15 and 16 at the Centre for Art and Culture at 22 Hàng Buồm Street.

Two gala nights, which are expected to draw up to an audience of 20,000, will be held on October 21 and 22 at the former Imperial Citadel of Thăng Long – a significant historical heritage site of the city.

'Việt Nam’s Queen of Hip-hop' – singer and songwriter Suboi will perform at the MMF on October 21. — Photo courtesy of the artist

The first gala night will feature “Việt Nam’s Queen of Hip-hop” – singer and songwriter Suboi, and rock band Bức Tường (The Wall). Foreign bands, including Mongdoll from South Korea, Sunset Rollercoaster from Taiwan, and Fergessen from France, will also be on stage that same night.

The closing night’s repertoire will present performances by one of Việt Nam’s most beloved indie artists – Vũ, who is dubbed by Billboard magazine as the “Prince of Vietnamese Indie Music”, and the Ngọt band. The night will also feature Goodluck from South Africa, Lydmor from Denmark, and Forgotten Future from the US.

Alongside concerts and music performances, the MMF 2023’s agenda also includes three workshops on October 20 and 21. The workshops will centre on topics such as policies for cultural projects in Hà Nội; health and safety issues in the performing arts industry; and guidance for young artists and bands in finding their own market.

Fund to support young artists

The MMF and Techcombank have joined hands to establish the "Inspire Your Next Fund" to further support young and talented Vietnamese artists.

MMF founder and director Quốc Trung (right), and a representative of Techcombank, Tô Thị Phương Thúy, exchange the signed document on the establishment of the 'Inspire Your Next Fund' to support Vietnamese young and talented artists. — VNS Photo Thúy Hằng

With the financial support from the fund, young artists will have chance to participate in short-term training courses and relevant workshops that can help them to develop their profession.

Furthermore, through the fund, the MMF will introduce and connect the artists with recording companies, communication management brands and music producers. This aims to offer them more opportunities to shine in Việt Nam’s music industry. — VNS