Nongkrong 2025: Mistis

BAYU | EKA + DEWI | Hantu | JIWA (NT) | Joshua Wells, Karina Utomo & R. Rebeiro | Ria Soemardjo | Yadayuri (IDN) | Y-DRA (IDN)

Mistis is a night of music that delves into Indonesia’s rich mystic traditions. Reimagined through the experimental lens of our diaspora, the evening is a meditation on sound, spirituality, and identity; a sonic exploration of our ancestral roots.

Featuring a dynamic lineup that spans ambient jazz, gamelan, and new age koplo, these performances invite you to listen, connect and reflect upon your own unseen worlds.

Food available from Nongkrong gerobak (street food carts) running from 7pm till sold out.

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Our night begins with a Gong meditation by EKA & DEWI, sonic healers who channel the energy of the universe to ground and connect the audience. Vocalist and multi-instrumentalist RIA SOEMARDJO then brings a refined and soulful interpretation of Javanese and Balinese musical traditions. Kendang virtuoso Yande King and multidisciplinary artist Ayu Lestari present YADAYURI, a commissioned piece that celebrates the deep and enchanting values of Balinese culture.

Traveling from Darwin, Jocelyn Tribe and Liam Budalasia as JIWA offer a contemporary reimagining of gamelan, blending Jocelyn’s soaring vocals with fresh, dynamic arrangements. Isobel D’Cruz leads a five-piece ensemble, HANTU, combining spiritual jazz with post-minimalist influences. Their live performances transform and captivate, weaving diverse musical elements into a cohesive and deeply moving experience.

JOSHUA WELLS, KARINA UTOMO &R. REBEIRO turn up the energy with electro-techno beats powered by Karina’s otherworldly vocals. The night concludes with Yennu Ariendra’s project Y-DRA (one half of Raja Kirik), offering an experimental take on Indonesia’s grassroots dance music. Local deep-cuts selector BAYU provides interstitial mystic sounds between acts.

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We acknowledge that Nongkrong Festival takes place on the unceded lands of the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation. As we celebrate Indonesian culture, we do so on Country that has held Indigenous cultural knowledge since time immemorial.

We recognise that our settlement as diaspora in so-called Australia is built on dispossession and stand in solidarity with First Nations people and their ongoing struggle for Treaty, land, sovereignty and truth-telling. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Always was and always will be Aboriginal Land.

Free entry for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander folk, simply email hello@nongkrong.com.au or DM @nongkrongfest on Instagram prior to the event.