Epizode 3: Alcachofa

An art and music spectacle set in the stunning paradise of Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam. There’s some 140 artists, both international and regional talent, spanning 4 crafted stages on the sands of Bãi Trướng. It’s dressed up to be an unforgettable start to 2019. And with nearby hotels or beach huts (take your pick), exotic cuisine and friendly locals in and around, the temptations seem even more palatable.

For a festival headquartered in Moscow and strong affiliations to Arma, it's evident that Epizode's message has undeniably surpassed its Russian roots. In short, it's become an international calling.

Russian born Tyoma (General Producer) has been on site together with his team since the beginning of November, although preparations were underway soon after last year's edition .

“There are no “typical days” on the island now, especially when there’s only a few days left until we open the doors."  

“There are no “typical days” on the island now, especially when there’s only a few days left until we open the doors."  I wake up early in the morning, pass through the territory - there’s meetings with every department of the project, tasks to be done, issues to resolve, solutions to progress, and then more tasks… (and only after all that I can have a coconut). The activity never stops here.”

“Many aspects of Epizode are relatively new in Asia. The length, the concept, the line up, the location, even the decoration. We have more than 140 international and regional names on the lineup playing around the clock (there’s 14 showcases) and it's all amongst crazy art installations intertwined with a multitude of day to day activities (including yoga). Our vision is to move the boundaries, to bring new trends to Asia and to become a winter hub for the industry and partygoers alike. East meets West."

"Our vision is to move the boundaries, to bring new trends to Asia and to become a winter hub for the industry and partygoers alike. East meets West."

So who features for the third edition?

December 28 launches at sunset with Tyoma behind the decks. NYE sees the debut (at least in South East Asia) of a:rpia:r and Sonja Moonear, with Petre Inspirescu setting the sunrise on January 2. In between, Goldie, Black Sun Empire, Ocean Lam and Weng Weng see out NYD. Ricardo returns (for the first of two sets) on January 3, followed by Praslesh and others, then back on the 'Frisbee Stage' on January 4 as he too brings in the dawn, joined by Dana Ruh and Apollonia later that evening for the Mdrnty showcase, Ouissam and Hibiya Line for the Equation showcase at 'Eggs' and Sammy Dee & Sonja Moonear on the 'Shell Stage' for the Arma Afterparty. January 5 finds Oshana, Lamache and Maayan Nidam showcasing Yoyaku at Shell and later that night Craig Richards and dj masda set the night. On January 6 the Volks day presents Zip, Fumiya Tanaka,Vera, Vlada and others. January 7 sees DJ Stingray and Nina Kraviz at Frisbee, whilst London's Half Baked showcases its roster. And last (but not least) Binh and others closes this year's episode.

"We’re all part of the same tribe and we’re happy to be welcoming many regional acts to our stages. Asia is known for a huge EDM scene though, with weekly events hosting tens of thousands of people. In that sort of environment underground events are certainly important in bringing a new sound and contributing to the development of a new scene." 

"Since I was a teenager, music is an important part of my life. I bought my first CD when I was 12, then when I was at school my father helped me to make a ‘DIY’ DJ mixer and we added a "pitch" to cassette-decks. You know that we made cue points with our fingers. In the late 90s I started working as a designer in a night club and there I became a DJ and then a producer. The first festivals soon followed, the first bookings too. For me, being an artist and a curator are two inseparable concepts - one makes the other better, and vice versa." 

For me, being an artist and a curator are two inseparable concepts - one makes the other better, and vice versa." 

So here’s a toast to the notion of artist and curator, and let’s see what the island of Phu Quoc brings for Epizode 3...