This year, Nusantara Beat will be MOMO Festival’s Artist in Residence. Over all three festival days, 16, 17 and 18 April, the band will perform at different locations across Rotterdam. 

Amsterdam-based six-piece Nusantara Beat write songs deeply rooted in their Indonesian background and culture. Formed by musicians from acts like Jungle By Night, Pom, and EUT, Nusantara Beat combines their love for traditional Indonesian music with their own contemporary twist, creating a warm-blooded, groove-based sound.

Resonant, evocative and cinematic, Nusantara Beat’s work meditates on family, memory, or ancestral connection – perpetually with a spiritual, playful or nostalgic undertone. From 60s rock to more modern neopsychedelica, a Nusantara Beat show filters many flavours through their distinct Transatlantic prism.

“Musically they weave a fine-meshed net together, dynamic and groovy but always subtle and layered” – 3voor12

Program Residency – Nusantara Beat

Thursday 16 April | 20:30 – 21:15
Special session: Nusantara Beat – Arminius
In the intimate setting of the Arminius church, Nusantara Beat kicks off their residency with a special Thursday evening. Not a traditional live show, but a glimpse behind the scenes of their artistic world. Expect a jam-session-style setting where the audience gets up close. Both literally and figuratively. The band will share their creative process, play around with ideas and, above all, perform songs that you probably haven’t experienced live before. A unique opportunity to experience their music in a raw, honest form, exactly as it is created.

Friday 17 April | 18:30 – 19:30
Show: Nusantara Beat – Theater Rotterdam, Grote Zaal

Saturday 18 April | 16:00 – 16:30
Talk: Gitaren uit de Oost in gesprek met Nusantara Beat (NL) – Schouwburgplein
Nusantara Beat laat zich inspireren door Soendapop en Balinese pop uit de jaren ’60 en ’70 en vertaalt deze invloeden naar een eigentijdse sound. Een gesprek over de persoonlijke achtergronden van de bandleden en hun zoektocht naar hun roots, en specifieke regio’s en stijlen die hen inspireren. Hoe vertaal je zulke rijke, diverse tradities naar muziek van nu?

Saturday 18 April | 00:00 – 01:00 
DJ-set: Nusantara Beat – Theater Rotterdam, Hal