The UGM Innovation and Creativity Arena (GIK), hailed as Southeast Asia’s largest super creative hub recently organized an inaugural music event titled Nusantara Beat Indonesian Tour.
Teaming up with Erasmus Huis, Forum Musik Fisipol (FMF) from the UGM Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, and Warta Jazz, the Nusantara Beat Indonesian Tour stands as a testament to GIK’s commitment to bridging academia and industry, domestically and internationally.
This event marks the prelude to GIK’s official launch. The Nusantara Beat Indonesian Tour transcends the boundaries of a conventional music concert, embodying GIK’s essence by blending art, culture, science, and technology.
“This series of events offers visitors a glimpse into the UGM campus environment and fosters deeper collaboration,” elaborated Garin Nugroho, Chief Program Officer of GIK.
The Nusantara Beat Indonesian Tour’s music performances, workshops, and discussions unfolded at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences on Monday (Mar. 4). Commencing with workshops and discussions at 10:00 a.m., the event culminated in a music concert at 7:00 p.m., with admission free for all attendees.
Nusantara Beat, an Amsterdam-based musical ensemble comprising six musicians with deep Indonesian cultural roots, adds a contemporary flair to traditional Nusantara melodies and weaves captivating psychedelic-folk compositions.
As representatives of the Indonesian diaspora, they play a pivotal role in cultural diplomacy, showcasing the diverse tapestry of Indonesian arts on global stages. The group has graced various prestigious venues and music festivals across Europe, spotlighting the vibrancy and diversity of Indonesian music.
According to Garin Nugroho, this event transcends mere entertainment; it serves as a platform for multidisciplinary collaboration and creative inspiration.
The Nusantara Beat Indonesian Tour offers entertainment and underscores GIK’s endeavor as a super creative hub to foster multidisciplinary collaboration, enrich musical repertoire, and disseminate new knowledge from the Indonesian diaspora onto the global stage.
“This encapsulates the essence of GIK’s outreach, marking not just an introduction but the inception of GIK’s journey to cultivate future leaders who are creative, innovative, collaborative, inclusive, and poised to impact society positively,” he remarked.
Erasmus Huis is thrilled to partner with GIK. They assert that Yogyakarta, with its rich cultural heritage and vibrant community of young art enthusiasts, is an ideal setting for Nusantara Beat.
“This presents a perfect platform for Nusantara Beat to shine. We hope that the fusion of Dutch and Indonesian musical heritage will inspire the local community to delve deeper into Indonesian music and culture,” expressed Nicolaas de Regt, Director of Erasmus Huis.
Author: Agung Nugroho