Lost in the Sounds of Phuket
Since It’s been my very first trip to Thailand and the perspective of Bangkok scared me a little bit, instead I took a direct flight to Phuket. I reckon It’s a bit easier to acclimatize in the new country in a smaller town first. There was a friend of mine, awaiting my arrival at the Phuket’s airport. We first met in Montreal two years ago. She’s been the first person I’ve talked to at the hostel and since then we became closest friends. Now we could finally meet again after two years. As soon as we arrived at the hostel, I took to the interwebs and googled something like “live music Phuket”. To my delight, it turned out there are plenty of music venues afoot. Perfect! - I pondered and hoped that it won’t be too much of a horror for my friend Lina whom never even heard what blues is...I guess she was up for one hell of a ride.
My trip has just began. Even though my Asian escape's first aim was to focus even more on my inner growth and to become more peaceful and patient I was still in need of getting my fix of some tasty noise. This is how I keep my balance. For my own safety I like to keep my feet on both sides of the life - spiritual and material one. That’s how I keep the depression at bay and how I maintain sanity. Anyways, is depression a real thing? For me is more a product of our undisciplined mind, nothing that may be identified as a truth.
But I'm digresing again, time to get back to what this is all about: where to catch live bands with locals. So here are the best venues for keeping up with the city’s contemporary scene. Be ready for thriving, music nights. Despite what you’ve might heard Phuket Town is a truly bustling town.
If you plan to stay at a hostel, Best Stay hostel is a good choice. Here you are only a few minutes away from the best music joints in town. Otherwise if you wish to crash at a more posh place you better ask someone else, since I've only seen those on the postcards. Before you’re out bear in mind alcohol is quite pricey in Thailand. Alcohol price knocks you out more than the alcohol itself. Fortunately my drinking stint is far away behind me but if you still enjoy drinking, budget properly to accomodate the local drink prices.
With your wallet packed with dollars the premier spot you may head to should be ROCKIN ANGELS Blues Cafe & Bar. The venue along with a few other ones is located in the Old Town area. Rockin Angels sits on the list of must-visit venues for all locals and visitors. Twee, little venue with a slightly raised stage features blues and rock tunes. Consistently open seven days a week holds regular gigs and jams and is a home for all artists coming through the town as well as to those willing to perform. It’s intimate feel and friendly clientele give this bar a living-room atmosphere and will make you want to stay forever. Fortunately (or unfortunately perhaps) Patric- the proprietor will very kindly and gently kick you out when it's time to close.
The next evening we’ve planned to visit Bepob Jazz Bar but first we accidentally ended up at The Column - venue spotted just next to Bepob. The titular Column are modern interior, expensive drinks and sophisticated food. A slightly uptown venue where you would fit better wearing evening dress. Definitely a place for travellers- spenders not for skimpy ones like myself.
Friend of mine said that whoever goes to Bepob may forget of all others venues in Phuket. This joint has vibe like no other. It’s tiny stage features jazz with capital J and gathers all the musicanship of jazz from all over the town. Bepop is a venue where people flock early in the evening to take their seat as it gets crowded in a flash. No wonder, who wouldn’t enjoy Louis Armstrong’s covers performed by first class musicians in such a pleasant atmosphere.
What if you are not into blues or jazz ? Well, if you’re a true rasta person, Thailand will become your second home. After hanging around for a while you’ll notice that rasta culture is doing almost as good as in Jamaica. Let’s get back to the 80s to understand why. Shortly explaining, in 1980s due to fast economic growth Thailand was becoming newly industrialized country and at the same time Thai Government promoted tourism. Thus, Thailand became the integrated part of global economy that impacted the country with all its influences including mass media. In 80s reggae music came to surface and started making a huge impact on mass culture all over the world. At the same time in Thailand a few recording studios have opened its doors and they promoted strongly Thai reggae artists. That is what happened from historical point of view, however some will say that reggae music is just a part of beach culture and that’s it. Take what you want from it but I invite you to have a closer glimpse on it. There are some good articles about it online.
Only two minutes walk from the Best Stay hostel you may find the finest rasta home in Phuket Town simply called Rasta Cafe & Restaurant. It’s a really spacious venue and a space for band’s performances, restaurant and cafe where you can also play some pool or dance your butt off. I visited it once and before I knew it I was already in front of the stage dancing with a bunch of newly made friends. Rasta Cafe is definitely a great choice at any day of the week. Next to it you may also find SE-WA-NA venue where a few piece ensemble plays acustically almost every night. There a few other bars that I haven’t visited like Music Matter Jazz Club, T2 Live Music or Timber Hut. Let me know your impressions if you ever pop into.
Before taking up my own discoveries across Phuket Town I’ve been told there is nothing to search for. Certainly the whole Phuket province is overwhelmed by tourist of any kind but to be honest the whole country is. I didn’t see much more of the province than Phuket Town and Patong beach that I hated like many others but if you hesitate where to start your trip across Thailand it’s good to start in Phuket and let yourself be surrounded by it’s beautiful tunes. You won’t regret. Promise!