The place blows my mind away. Situated at Sentul, which is in the middle of busy KL city, but once you are inside you will loose all notions that you are still in the busy hectic cosmopolitan city known as Kuala Lumpur. On the way in, you are greeted with beautiful greenery landscapes, clear lake and an old A’ Famosa colonial-esque building. KLPac with its huge spaces of greenery is perfect for events such as this.

KLue Urbanscapes 2008 on the other hand was a kaleidoscope of sights, scenes and sounds. It is as if all of the city’s creative communities gathered at KLPac and do their thing. Also it seems as if everybody in KL who has Digital-SLR cameras are there at KLPac, Urbanscapes. All kind of camera was present. Everybody all trigger happy, including myself.

We were early for Urbanscapes. This is notable, because rarely do I manage to come early on such events. There are goodies for early birds, we got a paper doll thingy from Urban Cr3atures.

First we watched the short documentary, 10 Tahun Sebelum Medeka by Fahmi Reza. This documentary deserved a blog entry of it’s own in Jiboneus. Then we watched the fun short film, My Indie Rock Darling by Razaisyam Rashid.

Walked around to check out the cool art installation throughout the event place. Then we went to the marketplace. There are some really cool stuff selling there. The food was ok. I like the lamb hotdog.

Went back in to the Xpax Box stage to catch The Other Side Orchestra‘s performance. Their performance were electrifying. A short break then it’s Komplot‘s turn. “Disko tanpa risiko” indeed. These two bands are currently some of my favorite indie music acts.

Went to the Xpax Lawn Stage next, got to catch Estrella and Seven-collar T-shirt. Next was Bittersweet’s turn to rock the crowd, and they did. The crowd goes wild with non-stop stage diving and mosh-pitting everywhere. Love Me Butch, One Buck Short, They Will Kill Us All and The Times keeps the crowd entertain till midnight.

Of cause there are other parties elsewhere at Urbanscape. All type of performance happening everywhere throughout the event. There is something for everyone.

A disappointing moments for me was that I wasn’t able to catch any of the performance in the Acoustic Livehouse room. Each time I went, the room was pack to the door, can’t get in. Wasn’t able to catch Yuna and KokoKaina.

Overall it was a enjoyable whole day event that everybody can enjoy. Klue should organize Urbanscapes event more often.

I’ll upload more photos on my Flickr photostream later, when I have the time.

The organizer is working with various groups, collective and individuals letting them decide on what’s going to happen at Urbanscapes 2008. The general public can also votes to influence on which music acts to be featured.

Creative communities of different fields, music, arts, lifestyle and film will all be together at KLPAC for a whole day of awesome creative artsy fun. The festival will split into several different sections.


Urbanscapes 2008 from Shermen Mukhtar on Vimeo.

Junk, the KLue’s sister publication will be hosting the music stages. There are more then one stage. You can check out the XPAX Lawn Stage with bands like Estranged, OAG, Auburn, Estrella, The Times, They Will Kill Us All, Bittersweet and many more will be performing.

On the other XPAX stage, the XPAX Box Stage, music acts from the likes of Deserters, The Other Side Orchestra, Komplot, together with some Hip-Hop acts like Phlowtron, Altimet, and Joe Flizzow will be performing.

If that isn’t enough, head over to the Acoustic Livehouse where there will be an open mic session and also Moonshine, MySpace and Youtube stars like Yuna and KokoKaina will be performing.

If that is not your style, head over to The Lakeside and enjoy a wide variety of eclectic performers by the relaxing water side. From KL Stompers to Twilight Action Girl to a Rather Peculiar Theatre, there is a show for everyone.

If indie film is more your style then you should check out the Cinetheatre. Watch local indie film making at its best, from mini documentary 10 Tahun Sebelum Merdeka, to short movies like My Indie Rock Darling, Ciplak, Flower in the Pocket and much more.

Don’t forget to also check out the Marketplace where indie clothing labels will be trading their wares. While you are at that, also check out the visual art installations, photography, and design all around the KLPac area.

On paper, this sound like it is going to be one hell of an awesome festival, lets hope they deliver their promise. Since the last time KLue organize such festival was back in 2004, so you might regret for passing this.

If nothing important comes up that weekend, I’ll be there. So say hi, promise I’ll be friendly.