The K-Music Festival returns to London this autumn with another ambitious programme that highlights the richness and diversity of Korean music. Running from 28 September to 23 November, this year’s edition brings together traditional folk music, shamanic rituals, jazz, hip-hop, indie rock, experimental sound art and even video game music, offering audiences a chance to experience Korea far beyond K-pop.

The festival opens on 28 September at EartH Theatre with a spectacular triple bill featuring ADG7, singer-songwriter Chang Kiha, and hip-hop duo Lil Cherry & GOLDBUUDA. Each artist approaches music from a different perspective, yet together they offer a fascinating introduction to Korea’s versatile sound.

One of this year’s most intriguing events is Wind Alone, Sand Alone – Make No Sound, a collaboration between Korean and French musicians that combines medieval chant, Korean traditional music, ambient soundscapes and improvisation into an immersive theatrical experience. Performed in the round, the audience becomes part of the performance itself, with sound, silence and space all playing equally important roles.

Gaming enthusiasts will also find something unique in Korean Games in Concert, where the renowned National Gugak Center Orchestra reimagines music from some of Korea’s best-known video games, including Black Desert and Lies of P. Traditional Korean instruments meet orchestral arrangements, while visuals inspired by Seoul’s historic landmarks create a concert unlike any other.

Elsewhere, Chudahye Chagis returns with its explosive blend of Korean ritual music, funk, hip-hop, rock and R&B, while Kyungso Park and acclaimed bassist Björn Meyer come together for an intimate performance exploring the meeting point between Korean tradition and jazz improvisation.

Fans of heavier sounds won’t want to miss the return of Dongyang Gozupa, whose powerful combination of post-rock and the traditional yanggeum has earned them an international following. The trio will also preview music from their forthcoming release.

Closing this year’s programme is Jisu Jung’s Baroque in Blue, an inventive performance that brings together jazz improvisation and Baroque composition, inspired by the music of Charlie Parker and shaped by influences ranging from Romanticism to contemporary classical music.

Described by Time Out as a festival that will help audiences “discover a whole range of the country’s diverse aural culture,” K-Music Festival continues to celebrate creativity, experimentation and collaboration.

Tickets to the opening night can be found here.

Image courtesy of KCCUK

_{View of the Arts is an online publication dedicated to film, music, and the arts, with a strong focus on the Asian entertainment industry. As we continue to grow, we aim to deepen our coverage of Asian music while remaining committed to exploring and celebrating creativity across the global arts landscape.}