When I first started making The Beat magazine, which is now decades ago, I was introduced to a young graphic designer, who helped put the first copy together. He was one of many, in fact, who helped with that illustrious first edition of The Beat, but his main claim to fame was that he played guitar in a little known, thrashy Ska band in Kuta called Superman is Dead. I didn’t know much about them, or about the Kuta rock scene at that point, but he invited me down to a skate show at The Villas in Seminyak one Friday night where they were playing. I hung out, took some pics and it was my first article (of many) about the Kuta and Bali punk rock scene. I think the story was in the first edition, maybe the second. That was 25 years ago. We eventually put on a show with SID maybe a year later at a venue called Aina Bar at the top of what became known as Eats Street, Oberoi. There were maybe 30 people in attendance – it was a tiny bar – and they took the roof off! The neighbours were up in arms by the end, and the next week when we tried to do it again the cops closed it down, quick smart. That was the birth of The Beat Rock Fest, which continued on for most of that first decade of the 2000s, and within a year Superman is Dead had found national fame and were playing shows all over the country to crowds of 15 thousand people. Heady days indeed for everyone involved and the band hasn’t slowed down at all, with lead man and drummer, Jerinx, among other things, becoming a spokesperson for the youth, and a voice for the disenfranchised. That was a different Bali to what we have today for sure, but the rock scene is still there, still kicking on. This weekend SID and their rock & skate community are bringing it back. For 3 days Kuta Beach will be pumping with Bali rock music, skateboard and surf action, food and drinks, and the loving crowds. It feels like the Kuta Carnival 2003 all over again. Get down and check it out, it goes all weekend. Kuta Rock City 2025
Photos Above: Some shots & memories from The Beat Rock Fest Kuta Carnival 2003. I think there were 12 bands playing from sunset till late, a full moon shining and surfers surfing the waves from the stage lights as the tide got full. What a night that was.
In complete contrast to all the above, we were at a classical concert in the magnificent grand lobby of the Apurva Kempinski Bali on Wednesday evening. SoleFamily presented a charity event named the Living Legacy Concert organised by Robert Kasell and others with Greek tenor or basses Christophoros Stamboglis joining with pianist Ary Sutedja. They put on a very entertaining show of operatic songs and finishing with popular classics. My Way being a standout. It was a very enjoyable and tasteful evening of song and a credit to all those involved. There was also a succesful online auction. If you would like to get involved or help somehow log onto Solefamily and find out more.
Photos Above: Tenor Christophoros Stamboglis with pianist Ary Sutedja at the Apurva Kempinski Bali.
Here’s cheers to one of our regular readers, Pak Ferre, hope you are enjoying today’s editorial.
Have a good weekend you all!
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Highlights in the Bali nightlife this week? There are always plenty of parties and shows on around the island…. Bali never ceases to amaze! Check out all the events, both featured and regular, on thebeatbali.com/bali-events.
