Joji, hard life charm attendees on Slow Life Slow Live festival's second day

Home > Entertainment > Music & Performance

Joji, hard life charm attendees on Slow Life Slow Live festival's second day

Published: 13 Oct. 2024, 17:24 Updated: 13 Oct. 2024, 17:29

LIM JEONG-WON
lim.jeongwon@joongang.co.kr

Singer Joji performs at the 2024 Slow Life Slow Live festival at 88 Grass Park inside Olympic Park in Songpa District, southern Seoul, on Saturday. [PRIVATE CURVE]

Autumn was in full swing for festivalgoers at the Slow Life Slow Live music festival over the weekend, where music blended with the perfect weather for three days of music and relaxation.

On Saturday, hip-hop collective Balming Tiger kicked off the day's lineup, followed by indie pop group hard life, rock band Silica Gel, R&B singer Lucky Daye and the most anticipated act of the festival, Joji, wrapping up the evening.

This year's lineup represented more than just entertainment — it showcased the convergence of distinct artistic expressions that resonated with audiences under Seoul's perfect autumn sky.

At the heart of the festival was the ability of each performer to bridge cultural gaps and connect deeply with their fans.

Slow Life Slow Live announces 2024 lineup including Peggy Gou, Joji and Honne

Joji, the Japanese Australian artist and former YouTube star, epitomized this personal connection. Known for hits like “Slow Dancing in the Dark” (2018) and “Glimpse of Us” (2022), Joji’s performance was more than just music, it was an emotional journey for those in attendance.

Fans were thrilled when Joji reached into his earlier SoundCloud-era tracks, performing “Yeah Right” (2018) and “Will He” (2017).

"It was a reminder of why I love him as a singer,” shared an American fan, commenting on Joji's journey from his earlier internet persona to today.

The spirit of connection continued with hard life, an indie pop band from Leicester, England, that delivered not only an engaging set but also shared its enthusiasm for Korean culture.

Indie pop group hard life performs at the 2024 Slow Life Slow Live festival at 88 Grass Park inside Olympic Park in Songpa District, southern Seoul, on Saturday. [PRIVATE CURVE]

Frontman Murray Matravers charmed the audience with tales of drinking somaek (a mix of beer and soju) and playing soju games, bridging international boundaries with humor and shared experiences.

With hits like “Peanut Butter” (2020) and “Dead Celebrities” (2022), the band’s performance became a highlight for devoted fans.

“We are very big fans of hard life, and I didn’t think that they would ever come to Korea, but they did this time, and we couldn’t be happier,” said Park Cho-eun and Park Seo-eun, sisters who had come to the festival from Pyeongchon in Gyeonggi. “We listened to them and loved them for a long time and are so glad they are here. ‘Ocean View’ [2021] was my favorite song they did today.”

“I am actually about to take suneung [the College Scholastic Ability Test or CSAT] soon, but I came out today anyway,” said Park Seo-eun, the older of the two sisters, who was wearing her school gym uniform.

The festival also celebrated Korea's vibrant music scene with bands like Silica Gel, a rock group that has helped preserve and revive the nation’s rock heritage. With its eclectic sound, the band’s hits, including “Tik Tak Tok” (2023) and “Neo Soul” (2017), demonstrated the enduring power of rock music in Korea.

Frontman Kim Geon-jay encouraged festivalgoers to cherish the beautiful autumn day, remarking, “There’s not a single cloud up there today. Cloudy days are romantic, but we need clear days like this, too.”

Singer Lucky Daye performs at the 2024 Slow Life Slow Live festival at 88 Grass Park inside Olympic Park in Songpa District, southern Seoul, on Saturday. [PRIVATE CURVE]

R&B artist Lucky Daye added his soulful energy to the mix with an electrifying set that left a lasting impression. Performing tracks like “Love You Too Much” (2019) and “HERicane,” the singer's energy captivated the audience. With an incredible talent for movement, the singer danced throughout 24 songs without taking a single break and gave the crowd a moment to remember by ripping off his shirt and declaring, “I love everything about this place! It feels like family here.”

Balming Tiger, a Korean hip-hop collective known for pushing boundaries, opened the festival with high-energy performances, including “Kolo Kolo” (2022) and “Trust Yourself” (2023). The group, led by prominent artists such as Omega Sapien and Sogumm, set the tone for the event by energizing the crowd with their dynamic blend of music and culture.

Each performer brought their own distinct flavor, highlighting how music serves as a universal language. From Joji's emotional ballads to hard life’s playful interactions, Silica Gel’s nostalgic rock and Lucky Daye's soulful rhythms, the festival celebrated the diversity of genres and cultures that music can unite.

The 2024 Slow Life Slow Live festival continues until Sunday, when Jeong Sewoon, Claire Rosinkranz, Glen Check, Corrine Bailey Rae and Honne will finish off the three-day festival.

BY LIM JEONG-WON [lim.jeongwon@joongang.co.kr]