SIMFES 2016 MESMERIZES AUDIENCE WITH TRADITIONAL MUSIC

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Oct 9 (Antara) - A blend of western-originated Country Music and Asian traditional melodies 'hypnotized' the audience during the Sawahlunto International Music Festival (SIMFES) 2016 held in Sawahlunto, west Sumatra, October 7-8 last week.          The local government, in this case Sawahlunto's Tourism and Culture Service, organized the festival as part of its annual agenda to preserve traditional arts and culture.          To help enliven it, organizers invited artists and singers to the festival that featured a blend of western and Asian music styles. The event was made livelier by the Country Music presented by Popular singer Tantowi Yahya with the 'Old Friends' music group. It was also livened up with the 'Kingdom of Daykanyama' of Japan and the 'JE Ensamble' of Bengkulu Province.          The festival, which was witnessed by about 5,000 people was able to mesmerize the audience. After all, a cabinet minister did not want to miss the joyful event, contributing his golden voice that fascinated the spectators.          "Tantowi was accompanied by the music group The Old Friends," Syukri SSn, the music group manager, said in Sawahlunto.