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Seo Tai-ji performs at the ETP FEST 2008 held at the Olympic baseball stadium Aug. 15 / Courtesy of ETP FEST
By Han Sang-hee, Cathy Rose A. Garcia Staff Reporters
The ETP FEST 2008 (Eerie Taiji People Festival) got off to a good start Friday, with a line-up featuring Korean groups Epik High, Clazziquai Project and Crying Nut.
Day 1 of ETP Fest started with performances by Korean indie acts Sunday Brunch, Swimmin Fish, Dr. Core 911, Sugar Donut, Transfixion and Schizo. Hundreds of fans didn't seem to mind the summer heat and crowds at the makeshift festival area in front of the Olympic baseball stadium, southern Seoul.
Things heated up when punk-rock group Crying Nut hit the stage. Their punk and ska-infused tracks had the audience jumping and pumping their fists in the air.
Popular hip-hop group Epik High went on stage at around 7 p.m. Tablo, Mithra Jin and DJ Tukutz kept the crowd's energy level high throughout their 30-minute performance.
Backed by a live band, Epik High showed why they're one of the most exciting hip-hop groups around. They performed the profanity-laced ``Flow,'' as well as songs from their latest album ``Pieces, Part One,'' namely ``Breakdown,'' ``Pencil Sharpener'' and ``One.''
``Korean athletes have been winning gold medals in the Olympics. But for us, you're the gold medal, '' Tablo told the crowd, who cheered loudly.
Everyone was jumping and screaming by the time Epik High performed their hit songs ``Fan'' and ``Fly.''
After Epik High, Japanese DJ Daishi Dance took control of the turntables on stage for more than an hour. He played infectious dance mixes that had many fans grooving, while others sat down on the pavement, just content to enjoy the cool summer night breeze.
Fans waited patiently for electronica group Clazziquai Project to come on stage. The group finally went on stage around 9 p.m., with DJ Clazzi on the turntables, while Alex and Horan provided the vocals.
Clazziquai performed remixed versions of their popular songs like ``Come to Me,'' and ``Be My Love.'' Alex and Horan's smooth and clear voices mixed well with the electronic music.
Alex, who gained popularity through the hit reality TV show ``We Got Married,'' said the group's performance at ETP Fest was quite special since it's been a long time since they performed together.
Clazziquai took the opportunity to perform an unreleased track ``Meet in Love,'' which had infectious pop and electronica beats.
Famous Japanese underground club DJ Shinichi Osawa finished off Day 1 of ETP Fest, by playing more club mixes that kept everyone dancing throughout the night.
Day 2 Day 2 of the ETP FEST 2008 continued with a rough start. The sky was a bit dark with the wind and trickles of rain, but fans were not to be deterred as they waited for the festival to start.
The second part of the festival was held inside the Olympic baseball stadium, on a stage that resembled a spaceship. More than 30,000 fans came to enjoy the rock event, some dressed in wacky costumes and wigs and others looking thrilled with anticipation.
Japanese rock group Yamaarashi was first to heat up the stage with their songs ``Headbang'' and ``Hands up.'' Vanilla Unity, Diablo, Death Cab for Cutie and Pia continued to rock the audience but during the set change for the next singer Monkey Majik, a firecracker was set off by accident, injuring an organizer, who was immediately rushed to hospital. Officials said that the accident occurred due to the sudden rain and carelessness. The accident delayed the concert for an hour.
Despite the accident, fans kept on cheering in the rain, some with umbrellas, but most in raincoats.
Maximum the Hormone and Dragon Ash continued with their powerful tunes, while The Used main vocalist Bert McCracken rocked with fans in the pouring rain.
By the time it was Seo Tai-ji's turn to appear on stage, the fans all inched closer to the stage, shouting out his name even before the stage was ready. Fans started to scream as the lights dimmed. Seo made a special entrance; standing inside a clear capsule that was lowered from the ceiling. By the time he was standing on stage and singing his new single ``Moai,'' the audience was jumping and pounding their fists in the heavy rain.
``Welcome to ETP FEST. I am so happy tonight. It's a night that will be hard to forget,'' Seo said to the yelling fans.
The singer sang ``Take 4,''``Internet War'' and ``Live Wire'' among others, and the crowd, which had doubled in number by his appearance, sang along with him, some in tears and many of them not missing one word.
``We have had so many memories together for the past 16 years. I can feel those 16 years passing by me right now. The concert is coming to an end now, and I hope you have a great time,'' he added between songs.
Marilyn Manson appeared as the final performer. Shouting ``Korea!'' several times, Manson showed up dressed in a black skirt and top, complete with his trademark goth make-up.
Holding a microphone that resembled a knife, Manson ran around the stage, singing songs like ``The Dope Show,'' ``Rock is Dead,'' ``Beautiful People'' and ``Mobscene.'' Fans rocked with the singer, who rolled on the stage floor, shouting and screaming out the lyrics of his hard-core heavy metal works.
The festival finally came to an end long after midnight, with Manson singing several encores. Being a holiday with public transport cut early, the exhausted yet happy-looking fans had to wait in a long line for taxis to get home. Despite an injury, a delay and other technical problems, however, the ETP FEST 2008 proved once again that rock was indeed a universal language.
sanghee@koreatimes.co.kr
cathy@koreatimes.co.kr
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