The 2014 Jakarta Blues Festival which held along Saturday (11/28) went festive. Thousands of Jakartans, especially blues lovers, thronged the Basket Hall and Senayan A-B-C Hall, Central Jakarta.

The festival was joined by 35 Indonesian group bands and 5 bands from Japan, Australia, India, and America

Head of Jakarta Tourism and Culture Department, Arie Budhiman, told this festival has been held regularly since five years ago. The theme chosen this year was Nothin’ but Blues.

“The festival was joined by 35 Indonesian group bands and 5 bands from Japan, Australia, India, and America. One of the musicians was Malina Moye, a guitarist who is dubbed as female Jimi Hendrix,” he stated, Sunday (11/30).

From those 35 Indonesian group bands, 23 of them were Jakarta’s local group bands, including Slank. Other famous local musicians who performed in the event were Andre Dinuth, JBF TRIO, Margie Segers & Motown Band, and Sandhy Sondoro.

According to Budhiman, music is a universal language that could bring harmony and friendship nuances among people and nations. That is why his department held the event so it could be a forum for everyone to channel their hobby in music and show their skills. In addition, the event also becomes a tourism promotion tool for Jakarta.

“Our hope is the event could be a stepping stone for those who want to perform at international level,” he said.