It’s already been a month, but I’d like to write about my trip to Summer Sonic Bangkok.
I had so much to share that I’ve decided to split it into two parts: Part 1 will cover from departing Japan to the day before the festival, and Part 2 will cover the second day of the festival.
I hope you read this as a travel diary + live review. I aim to make it helpful for those interested in solo traveling, attending overseas festivals, or visiting Thailand (though I’ve definitely set the bar high for myself).
First things first—it was an amazing experience, packed with excitement and inspiration over the two days of the festival. Including the days before and after, it was a four-day trip to Thailand. It reaffirmed my passion for festival tourism, something I want to experience over and over again.
Everyone I met in Thailand was kind and welcoming—the country really lives up to its name as “The Land of Smiles.” This was my fourth time visiting Thailand, and honestly, it was the best yet. A heartfelt thank you to the local organizers and Creativeman for bringing Summer Sonic to Bangkok. It must have been a massive challenge to pull off, but they made the dream of exporting a Japanese festival a reality. As a festival fan, it was incredibly moving. Hosting it the weekend after Summer Sonic Tokyo/Osaka was also quite an impressive feat.
I’ll write separately about some of the challenges I encountered (some of which were significant), but this post is purely a record of how much I enjoyed Summer Sonic Bangkok and my trip to Thailand. It might be a bit long, so feel free to skim through it. I’ll also share my thoughts on the Japanese artists I saw. So, let’s get started!
August 23, 2024 (Friday) – The Day Before Summer Sonic Bangkok
Around 6:00 AM
I had plenty of sleep and was in a great mood as I set off (riding the Keisei Skyliner).
I arrived at Narita Airport just after 9:00 AM. It wasn’t too crowded since the Obon holidays had ended.
I still follow the rule of arriving at the airport three hours before an international flight, and today was no exception. The earliest I’ve ever arrived was 4.5 hours before a flight—almost as long as the flight itself!
Today’s flight was with my beloved AirAsia. Their check-in counter was at the far end of the terminal, and I’d read online that many people had trouble finding it. Thanks to that, I had no trouble locating it. The counter was nearly empty, and I breezed through immigration in about 10 minutes. It turns out arriving three hours early wasn’t necessary.
With plenty of time before departure, I decided to eat something. Even though it was only a four-day trip, I figured I’d grab some Japanese food since I knew I’d miss it. Without hesitation, I chose Yoshinoya. Tonkatsu and other meals aimed at tourists were needlessly expensive, so I went for a large beef bowl with miso soup. Still, airport prices—150 yen for the miso soup seemed steep!
After a quick meal, I spent about two hours working on my YouTube channel, and before I knew it, it was boarding time. Off to the red airplane!
I took a seat in the back of the plane. I like that AirAsia doesn’t charge extra for seat selection. The plane was pretty packed as we prepared for takeoff.
I was so focused on working that I didn’t buy any food or drinks beforehand. It’s not a short domestic or Korean trip; this was a seven-hour flight. I tried to pass the time working, studying, reading, and napping, but eventually, I got thirsty. If this were a non-budget airline, I’d ask for water or a Coke, but on AirAsia, no such luck. I asked a male flight attendant for paid drinks and ordered two cans of Coke Zero—about 300 yen each in Japanese yen. My thirst was quenched, but soon I got hungry. I ordered some snacks, but they never arrived, and before I knew it, we landed in Thailand.
We touched down at Suvarnabhumi Airport at 5:00 PM local time (7:00 PM Japan time) after a smooth, seven-hour flight with no major delays. I was glad we arrived safely, but I was starving. I wanted to clear immigration quickly, but being on an LCC meant we landed at the far end of the terminal, requiring a long transfer by train. Someday, I’d love to fly ANA to Thailand at least once.
Immigration went smoothly—though it took about 15 minutes, I secretly kind of wished I’d get pulled aside for questioning just to see what it’s like! But more than anything, I was hungry. I needed food, fast. I headed to the FamilyMart in the airport and bought some bread and an onigiri. They were smaller and more expensive than in Japan—about 250 yen for the onigiri. I was tempted by some skewers, but I didn’t know what they were, and I didn’t want to risk an upset stomach, so I skipped them.
Still hungry, I considered grabbing a meal at one of the airport restaurants, but decided to head out first. Public transport in Thailand is cheap, but it takes a long time, and it doesn’t go directly to the area where my hotel is. I’d need to take a shared bus or something halfway. Taxis are an option, but I opted for Grab (the Southeast Asian equivalent of Uber, since Uber has left the region).
I heard there’s now a designated Grab waiting area on the first floor, so I headed straight there. It was packed with Western tourists.
What I like about Grab is that, unlike meter taxis, you know the fare upfront. Plus, it’s usually paid by card, and you can input your destination on the app, so there’s no need to explain it verbally. Super convenient—why don’t we have this in Japan?
As soon as I got matched with a driver, they called me. In broken English, they told me to wait outside, but I wasn’t sure where “outside” meant. The conversation was a bit awkward since both of us had limited English skills, but eventually, I figured out where to go. After waiting by the main road, we met up successfully. The driver was cheerful, and we chatted as we headed to the hotel.
But seriously, the traffic in Southeast Asia’s capitals is insane. Jakarta was bad, but Bangkok is just as bad. Even with staggered commuting hours, I doubt it would get any better. I guess that’s what happens in growing cities. I heard Jakarta is planning to relocate its capital due to these issues—Bangkok might be facing a similar situation.
Even though the hotel wasn’t that far, it took 90 minutes to get there. The driver was exhausted, too, complaining that he just wanted to go home. Traffic apparently lasts for long hours throughout the weekdays. I wish they’d improve the train system because the congestion could really deter tourists.
Finally, at around 8:00 PM, I arrived at the hotel. It was a place I had stayed before. As I checked in, they asked if I was here for Summer Sonic. It was a warm welcome, and it seemed like there were plenty of Summer Sonic guests staying too.
After checking in, I immediately headed out to scout the venue. I’d been here before, so I had a sense of the area. Plus, I was ready for a long-awaited dinner. It was about a 10-minute walk from the hotel to the venue.
This facility is typically used for exhibitions and international conferences. It’s similar to Tokyo’s Big Sight or International Forum, maybe more like Makuhari Messe. It’s a bit far from central Bangkok, similar to traveling from Tokyo to Chiba. There aren’t many shops around, so it’s somewhat inconvenient.
The IMPACT Arena here is famous for hosting frequent K-pop idol concerts, so it’s a familiar spot for those who travel for shows.
When I arrived near the entrance, there were hardly any overnight campers. I suspect it’s because only VIP ticket holders can access the front area, and perhaps they didn’t sell as many tickets, so there wasn’t much competition. If there had been no VIP section and it was first-come, first-served for the front spots, I’m sure it would’ve been packed with overnight campers.
After successfully scouting the venue, I had a solo pre-festival dinner at a nearby restaurant. I didn’t go for particularly Thai food, and to be honest, it wasn’t very good, though the staff were kind enough to make me a lemon sour, which wasn’t even on the menu. The meal cost about 6,000 yen—not cheap.
On the way back to the hotel, I spotted a huge birthday advertisement for BoyNextDoor. Fan dedication is truly amazing.
Once I returned to the hotel, I took a shower and, feeling pretty exhausted, fell asleep before midnight.
August 24, 2024 (Saturday) – The First Day of Summer Sonic Bangkok
I woke up before 7:00 AM and went for a walk before breakfast, heading towards the venue. I wanted to soak in the Summer Sonic atmosphere, but I didn’t feel it much. I double-checked the official website and realized I wasn’t at the wrong place. Seeing some early birds reassured me, so I returned to the hotel.
I had breakfast at the hotel. I remembered paying around 2,000 yen for breakfast the last time I booked through Agoda. This time, I booked through Expedia, and breakfast was included for about the same price. Overall, I think Agoda isn’t that great, so I’ve stopped using it as much. The breakfast was similar to what you’d get at a business hotel, and the fruit, which I love, wasn’t very sweet. I kept my portions small and finished up.
The festival started around 1:00 PM and would go on late into the night with the headliners performing past midnight. I planned to stay from start to finish, so I had time to kill before the event. I went to a Starbucks to get some work done. Once finished, I headed to the venue to exchange my wristband.
A heavy rainstorm hit, and I was drenched before even entering the venue. When I got closer, I saw different ticket booths for each company. As a foreigner attending a concert abroad, you usually reserve tickets through a local ticketing site (in Thailand, it’s Ticket Major or Ticketmelon), pay by credit card, and then pick up the tickets at a “will call” booth near the venue. You present your passport and the credit card you used to buy the tickets, and they hand over your paper ticket. For smaller concerts, you might get a QR ticket immediately, but for larger venues like arenas, it’s often paper tickets—probably to prevent scalping. After picking up my ticket, I exchanged it for a wristband.
There was already a decent line forming, but it was much smaller compared to Summer Sonic Tokyo. This made me wonder if the Bangkok event would end up being on a smaller scale.
I went back to the hotel, took a shower, and changed before returning to the venue around 1:00 PM.
When I arrived, there was no line left—everyone had already gone inside. At the entrance, they confiscated my Kappa Ebisen snack, which I didn’t know wasn’t allowed. Apparently, no outside food is allowed, which I didn’t realize even for Summer Sonic Tokyo’s Marine Stadium. There was also a Japanese person upset about not being allowed to bring in their laptop (I noticed several people from the Japanese music industry, suggesting that this event was quite anticipated).
There were two entrances, and I went in through the one leading to the sub-area. It was a massive space, but it felt even larger because there weren’t many booths. There were a few flashy sponsor booths and about 10 stalls selling festival food. Size-wise, the space felt about two-thirds or half the size of the Mountain Stage area at Makuhari Messe. It felt huge.
Initially, I didn’t notice, but there were about 10 food stalls like festival stalls, with some Japanese company booths as well. Bars were scattered everywhere, and you could get alcohol whenever you wanted (though they weren’t allowed to sell before 5:00 PM). There didn’t seem to be an age check, either—Thailand seems to be pretty relaxed about alcohol.
In the sub-area, there was also a second stage where several Thai bands were set to perform. I planned to check them out between acts on the main stage.
I moved over to the main area, which was about the same size as the sub-area (maybe 1.2 to 1.3 times larger). The crowd in front of the stage was sparse, though I figured more people would gather later.
The VIP area was enormous—and practically empty. It was hard to tell if it felt big because of how empty it was. At that point, I regretted not buying a VIP ticket. The VIP area allowed you to get right up close to the stage. VIP tickets were about 90,000 yen for two days, while GA tickets were around 30,000 to 35,000 yen. Some people would gladly pay that price difference, but it’s enough for another two-night trip to Thailand, so I had a hard time justifying it and ended up with a GA ticket.
Let’s talk about ticket prices. True to the overseas festival style, Summer Sonic Bangkok’s tickets were cheaper if you bought them early, with prices increasing as the event got closer. I had already decided to attend before the pre-sale and was initially considering buying VIP tickets. However, the price was steep, so I settled on Platinum. On the day of the ticket sale, I didn’t expect it to sell out right away, but the release got delayed. When it finally came out a few days later, I saw that GA tickets had a significant price drop. The VIP prices stayed the same, but Platinum, Gold, and Silver tickets were all consolidated into one GA ticket with extra perks. The only difference between the tiers was in the additional services, while all three offered the same view of the stage. Originally, there were four levels of tickets, but they were reduced to just VIP and GA. Platinum tickets, initially priced at 10,000 baht (about 45,000 yen), were lowered to 7,500 baht (around 35,000 yen). In the end, I didn’t go for VIP and settled on Platinum, but in hindsight, it wasn’t worth it (there was practically no difference within the GA ticket, no exclusive toilets, no lounge, and though there was a dedicated entrance, it didn’t matter much because it wasn’t crowded). Looking back, I should have either gone for VIP or Silver.
By 1:30 PM, the first performance was about to start. There were around 1,000 to 2,000 people in front of the stage. With a venue capacity of about 10,000 to 15,000, the back area was pretty empty, but it was still early. I planned to keep an eye on how the crowd grew as the day went on.
The day’s schedule looked like this:
I wanted to see all the artists on the Mega Stage (the main stage) and catch a glimpse of the Thai artists on the sub-stage.
At 1:40 PM, PSYCHIC FEVER’s performance began. I only knew they were an LDH group, but other than that, I didn’t have much prior knowledge. I had listened to a few of their tracks before. The live performance started, and I was greeted by a group of ultra-handsome guys with distinct looks. The set was filled with rap-heavy tracks, and their dance skills were impressive. They had a very stoic vibe, with little fan service. I wondered if they were even idols. This style might appeal to male fans too. Throughout the show, they didn’t speak any Japanese during the MC parts—it was all in English or Thai. Aside from their looks, they felt like a multinational artist group, which made sense when I later learned that they had spent their training period in Thailand.
As usual, I was live-tweeting about the concert while watching, and I noticed a lot of responses from global fans. Not only were they hyped about the performance, but they were also actively reposting content to spread the word about the group. You could really feel the dedication and energy of their fandom through social media.
The group delivered aggressive rap performances, hyped up the crowd on the catwalk, danced, and shouted. In a good way, they didn’t feel like typical Japanese artists—they gave off the vibe of international performers. It felt odd to even call them idols. Despite being a young group, they displayed incredible skill. It felt like their sights were set on the global market. I’ll definitely keep an eye on them from now on.
Next up was the Thai band getsunova—a melodic, cool “older-guy” band. They seemed to have a lot of young fans. Their songs were great, and their personalities too, which explained their popularity. The crowd was incredibly loud, and I found their heartwarming songs (at least that’s what I assumed since I couldn’t understand the lyrics) really soothing. Discovering new music is always a joy. I’d love to sing along with them in the local language one day.
After getsunova’s set, I wandered around the venue during the transition.
As for how food and drinks worked inside the venue—you couldn’t use cash or cards. Everything had to be charged onto your RFID-tagged wristband (using cash or card), which you would scan at the stalls with your phone. I wasn’t sure if this was for hygiene purposes, but I’ve seen the same system at Clockenflap in Hong Kong and Pentaport in Korea. The annoying part is that leftover credit isn’t refunded, so I had to keep topping up in small amounts.
Since I had heard rumors, I asked one of the staff members if re-entry was allowed before 5 PM, and after some language barriers, I finally got confirmation from a third person. It’s a strange rule—I’m not sure if it’s to encourage people to buy food and drinks inside or to prevent people from getting drunk outside and re-entering. Either way, it’s not exactly the kindest policy for festival-goers, considering the event lasts over nine hours, going until midnight.
Next up was Travis Japan, a group I was really looking forward to seeing. I had done some prep by listening to their music on streaming platforms. My initial impression was that their songs were really good and matched my tastes perfectly. Listening to the music, it didn’t strike me as typical idol music. But beyond that, I didn’t know much about the group, apart from the impressions I had of a few members from variety shows, so I was excited to see how they’d perform as a group.
I knew they were targeting the global market, and as someone who supports Japanese artists going global, I couldn’t miss the chance to see them.
One of the main reasons I came to Summer Sonic Bangkok was because YOASOBI and Travis Japan were performing. I wanted to witness the performances of these Japanese artists, who seemed to be backing this bold expansion of Summer Sonic into Asia.
Once the show started, it was clear that Travis Japan had a totally different vibe from the stoic, hardcore energy of PSYCHIC FEVER. They were cool, poppy, and cute. My first impression was that they were a polished Japanese group rather than a global artist. Maybe this is linked to the “JAPAN” part of their name, showcasing a refined, cute Japanese style. Each group had a distinct identity, which made it easy for a first-time viewer like me to enjoy and understand the performance.
Their MC segments mixed in some Japanese, keeping it light and fun—perhaps an effort to retain their Japanese charm.
The performance kicked off with JUST DANCE! and followed with Love Tag. I’ve only been familiar with their music for a short time, but I’m already obsessed with T.G.I Friday Night and Okie Dokie!. Seeing these songs live was far better than just listening to them. They performed LEVEL UP and DRIVIN’ ME CRAZY, and during LEVEL UP (Sam Feldt Remix), they came down the catwalk, showing off their superhuman dancing skills up close. I almost felt guilty about having such a prime viewing spot for my first live show with them. They closed with Sweetest Tune.
The live show was absolutely fantastic. I’m really glad I came all the way to Bangkok to see them. However, I did struggle with whether or not to post the footage I recorded. I’ve been promoting Japanese artists’ global activities, but I wasn’t sure if it was appropriate for this fanbase. So, I decided not to post anything at first. Still, the performance I saw up close on the catwalk was too amazing to keep to myself, so I uploaded a five-minute clip as a compromise.
The post received a far more positive response than I had ever imagined. That’s when I realized just how loved this group is. Many fans in Japan were worried about their performance at Summer Sonic Bangkok. Fortunately, no one criticized me for sharing the clips, so I posted a few more videos. The reactions were overwhelmingly positive, and I kept receiving notifications for more than two days. It was a reminder of the things you can only learn by being there. Their world tour that followed had sold-out shows—truly impressive. I definitely want to see them perform overseas again. I’m excited to keep following their journey as they take on the global stage.
Next up was PHUM VIPHURIT, who’s already making waves in the global market. The crowd was massive, and the support was overwhelming—super popular. Their pop songs were fantastic. I want to listen to more of their music before seeing them live again, and I’m sure it’ll always be enjoyable. I’ll get to see them at another festival in Korea soon.
Time for a break. Lots of people were eating ice cream at the venue, and it turned out they were giving away free Garigari-kun popsicles. I grabbed a plum-flavored one. A Japanese staff member asked me in Japanese, “Would you prefer plum or soda?” I chose plum. Later, I learned that Thailand was the first place to establish an overseas production site for Garigari-kun. It looks like they’re going global too—kind of cool! I might keep following them (maybe).
I also grabbed some ramen, which cost about 1,000 yen. The taste was decent.
Next up was LOVEJOY.
I’d only caught a glimpse of them at Summer Sonic Tokyo, so I was excited. Hearing them in an overseas setting added a nice touch to the atmosphere. The laid-back venue made it even more enjoyable, and the crowd was really enthusiastic. I’m hoping more of the international acts from Summer Sonic Tokyo and Osaka, like Tyla this year, will make the jump to Bangkok. With the mix of Western, K-pop, local, and Japanese artists, Summer Sonic Bangkok was a blast.
By the way, I bought a festival T-shirt—something I rarely do. It was over 5,000 yen, but it’ll be a great souvenir, especially since it has the names of all the performers from today and tomorrow.
Next up was BOYNEXTDOOR. I missed them at Summer Sonic Tokyo because they were on at the same time as JO1, but I finally got to see them here. They seemed completely comfortable on the global stage, delivering a confident performance. They’re also very popular in Thailand—the crowd’s cheers were deafening. (Apparently, Thai audiences are known for their loud singing and cheering during live shows!)
I moved to the sub-stage to check out another Thai band. I can’t remember the name, but the singer was great, and the music was solid. Oddly, the vocalist was wearing a Toyota mechanic uniform—maybe a nod to Japanese festival culture?
Next up was ZICO.
It was my second time seeing him live, and as expected, he delivered an outstanding performance. His hip-hop was on another level.
And finally, it was time for BODYSLAM featuring BABYMETAL & F.HERO.
I had only seen half their set at Summer Sonic Tokyo, just like with BOYNEXTDOOR, as I left to catch JO1. But today, I was going to see the full show.
While I was excited for BODYSLAM, I was especially looking forward to the collaboration with BABYMETAL and F.HERO at Summer Sonic Bangkok. F.HERO was absent in Tokyo, so this would be my first time seeing the complete lineup. BABYMETAL, who have been growing with Summer Sonic and conquering stages worldwide, would make their debut in Bangkok.
After a few songs by BODYSLAM, the special guests appeared.
The set began unexpectedly with Gimme Chocolate!!, with BODYSLAM as the backing band. Despite some guitar issues, the show went on. F.HERO then joined for a full-force performance of PA PA YA!!, followed by LEAVE IT ALL BEHIND.
Although I’ve seen BABYMETAL live many times, mostly at Summer Sonic, I thought I knew what to expect. But when SU-METAL started singing Gimme Chocolate!!, I was completely blown away. Goosebumps. Her powerful vocals pierced through the venue, changing the entire atmosphere.
Honestly, I couldn’t believe how incredible SU’s vocals were. Her stage presence, her voice—it was all on another level. The intensity of her performance was astonishing. Maybe it’s because I hadn’t fully appreciated their strength before, but this hit me hard.
Looking back, I think my emotional response was partly due to something special about this moment.
BABYMETAL has been part of Summer Sonic since their early days, growing into one of the headliners. They’ve performed on the Marine Stage, headlined the Mountain Stage in 2023, and this year, they delivered three songs at the Mountain Stage with BODYSLAM and as guests of BMTH on the Marine Stage. On top of that, they performed at this inaugural Summer Sonic Bangkok, which wasn’t drawing huge crowds. Despite a somewhat sparse audience for a BABYMETAL show, they gave it their all, making them feel like saviors. This was the peak moment of the day.
After the show, I captured a few shots of the now-empty food stalls and treated myself to a skewer.
It was a fantastic first day. Exhausted, I only caught a glimpse of ONE REPUBLIC before heading back to the hotel just before midnight.
I toasted alone at the hotel bar, savoring the lingering excitement. The sense of fulfillment was overwhelming. As soon as I returned to my room, I fell asleep instantly.
(Summer Sonic Bangkok Day 1 ends. To be continued on Day 2.)