Sax inside the City: PT Java Festival Production
The Jakarta International Java Jazz Festival debuted in 2005, staging 146 shows which were visited by 47,500 festival-goers. Arguably the largest jazz festival inside the Southern Hemisphere, This kind of year’s event, which will kick off on March 4, is actually anticipating 120,000 attendees. We sit down with Dewi Gontha, the President Director of PT Java Festival Production, to find out what the idea takes to put together a show of This kind of scale, along with what motivates her along with her team to continue to improve each year.
Dewi Gontha, President Director of PT Java Festival Production
Dewi, how did you first get involved inside the earth of music festivals?
I had been working since 1996 as an investor relations manager along that has a marketing director in two different companies. In 2001 I decided to quit my job as I was due to give birth to my first son, which was followed by the birth of my second son in 2003. Then, while sitting at home caring for my babies, my father presented the opportunity to me to do the first Java Jazz Festival, which we launched in 2005.
How many attendees did you have at Java Jazz Festival last year, along with what are the expectations because of This kind of year’s event?
Last year we had traffic of approximately 110,000 for three days, not including the Java Jazz On The Move event prior to the Festival. This kind of year we are expecting as many as 120,000 visitors to attend our festival.
of which’s a lot of people! How many months does the idea take to plan This kind of event? along with how many staff members do you have working on the project?
the idea takes about six full months to prepare for a festival of This kind of scale. We have more than 1,000 people working during the event, nevertheless we have approximately 40 permanent staff inside the office who are part of the organizing committee.
What are the main challenges you face inside the live entertainment business in Indonesia?
I think convincing artists of which Indonesia should be their priority compared to various other Asian countries is actually one challenge. We also face difficulties with production costs along with venue rentals which are very high. Raising sponsorships every year is actually another challenging bit of homework.
Do you travel the earth to experience festivals for ideas for your own?
I like to go along with see shows nevertheless not necessarily festivals.
What is actually the idea of which you try to achieve with each music festival? What are your goals?
We started out off with the intention of promoting Indonesia through music. This kind of is actually still the case today. We would likely also like to set a standard on how to create a diverse music experience for the audience, as they are able to choose coming from different performances during the festival.
Robin Thicke is actually headlining your festival This kind of year. What would likely you say to critics who say he is actually not a jazz musician?
What is actually jazz? Have you seen The Music Tree; how everything is actually somehow related to something else? along with yet how do we educate the market? the idea is actually to get them first to come along with see an artist of their choice along with at the same time understand of which jazz is actually very broad along with of which everybody can enjoy the idea. The branch is actually so wide. is actually R n’ B a stand alone? Or the idea is actually part of the tree?
What various other musicians will be gracing the stages of Java Jazz 2016? along with who are you most looking forward to watching live?
There are so many great names to choose coming from. Some of my favourites include: David Foster, Chris Botti featuring Sting, Level 42, Patti Austin, Raisa, Marcell, Glenn Fredly, Isyana, along with Tophati.
How many stages will there be This kind of year?
There will be 11 stages in total with something for everyone to enjoy.
What differences coming from last year’s event can audiences expect to see?
No difference. We just expect more.
Do you still have a cashless system for purchasing F&B? If so, can you explain for what reason This kind of is actually done This kind of way?
Yes, we do, which means of which no change is actually needed. We find of which This kind of system is actually practical for buyers along with also practical for sellers.
How do you choose your acts? Do find of which many jazz musicians are eager to come along with play at This kind of internationally accredited jazz event?
We have a group of people of which sit down together along with discuss musicians along with options of how to present each year better than the last.
Besides Java Jazz Festival, what various other events does your company put on?
We put on various other festivals like SoulNation along with Rockin’Land, along with with Live Nation Indonesia we do one-off concerts along with stand-up comedy shows, like international comedian Russell Peters last week in Jakarta.
What visions do you have for the future of your business?
I’d like to see Indonesia become bigger along with better at taking part inside the entertainment business. We want more foreigners to come along with visit Indonesia along with come to experience Indonesian events.
We want to be one company of which can be seen with the same high standards as various other live music festivals along with organizations around the earth.
You are a mother as well as a successful business woman. What are your secrets on juggling the two?
No secret. Having understanding children along that has a supportive family is actually all one will ever need to survive This kind of industry along with work as best as we can.
along with finally, who is actually your all-time favourite jazz artist?
Haha there are just too many to mention!
Thank you, Dewi along with all the best because of This kind of year’s festivities. For more information, visit www.javajazzfestival.com
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Sax inside the City: PT Java Festival Production
Sax inside the City: PT Java Festival Production