World Electronica Carnival steps up summer festivals

In the marathon that is music festival season, those with endurance may find themselves being rewarded.

With Jisan Rock Fest and UMF still buzzing in the collective ears of Korea’s concert-lovers, it would be easy to skip out on this weekend’s festivities. But for fans of house, trance, electronic and hip hop, that would be a mistake.

From Friday to Sunday, the first-ever World Electronica Carnival in Gyeonggi Province will bring together a diverse group of international DJs and performers with plenty of interactive extras for those willing to brave the weekend’s heat.

Inspired by the Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas and Finland’s Flow Festival (the former being one of the biggest commercial festivals around, the latter more of an art concept festival), WEC is, according to event organizers, a direct challenge to the way Koreans experience big outdoor music festivals.

Headlined by dance music heavyweights Armand Van Helden, Benny Benassi, DJ Shadow and Daishi Dance, there is plenty of populist electronica to bop to. The lineup also includes Korean favorites Drunken Tiger, 45RPM, Double Strike and hip-hop supercouple Tiger JK and Yoon Mi-rae.

On top of the strong lineup, the real star of the show may well be the event’s unconventional multimedia center that will expand the festival experience well beyond the “dancefield,” organizers say.

Taking place over three days at the scenic Jarasum eco-park in Gapyeong, WEC boasts a 1,000-person-capacity camping ground (four-person tents are available for rent) and a unique, nonmusical side show.

At the center of this focus is the We'Crew Zone, an offering of a variety of art-based workshops.

The Team Action Painting Zone will allow festivalgoers to channel their inner Jackson Pollock, painting with water guns, water balloons and the like before cutting the canvas into pieces to create a collage. Team Pandola will have people decorating balloons to express their character and identity. Team Ring Master will help people make elaborate masks and then put them on parade with musicians. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Add in swimming pools, rides, parades and WEC’s centerpiece “Chillin' Zone” located in the forest alongside the river, and you have all the recipes for festival magic.

More info

Where: Jarasum eco-park, Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province

When: Friday, Aug. 10, to Sunday, Aug. 12

Entrance: 67,000-120,000 won

For festival lineup, ticketing, directions and transportation information: Click here