Sheeran will be joined by special guest One OK Rock, a Japanese rock band featuring vocalist Taka, guitarist Toru, bassist Ryota and drummer Tomoya.

The concert starts at 7.30 and tickets costing from Bt2,000 to Bt6,000 are on sale at Thai Ticket Major. Call (02) 262 3456 or visit http://www.ThaiTicketMajor.com.

All the right strings

Australian guitarist Tommy Emmanuel is another artist returning to Thailand and will perform his virtuosic fingerstyle show at Ultra Arena Hall on the sixth floor of Show DC on Rama IX Road on Wednesday at 8pm.

The leading guitarist has a professional career that spans five decades and continues to intersect with some of the finest musicians throughout the world.

Tickets are priced at Bt1,000 to Bt2,500 at Thai Ticket Major.

A trio with soul

Pop soul threesome The Parkinson are busy rehearsing for their upcoming concert, “Soulmantic”, which is being staged at BCC Hall on the fifth floor of Central Lat Phrao on June 23 at 6pm.

The trio will perform their hits including “Ja Bok Ther Wa Rak”, “Puean Rak”, “Khon Chua 2018”, and “Pai Thoe” and also launch their new album, “Raek”.

Early bird tickets are Bt1,200, Bt1,700 and Bt2,500 available at Ticketmalon from Tuesday through May 6. The first 1,000 fans buying the B52,500 tickets get the new album for free.

GFriend gals head to town

Sowon, Yerin, Eunha, Yuju, SinB and Umji, known collectively as South Korean girl group GFriend, will be back in Thailand after a two-year hiatus performing at BCC Hall on the fifth floor of Central Lat Phrao on July 27, as a part of their “2019 Asia Tour [Go Go GFriend]”.

Fans can expect to hear cuts from their second studio album, “Time for Us”, which features the track “Sunrise”. The album becomes the group’s highest selling Korean album with more than 86,000 copies.

Follow the girl group’s movement at Facebook.com/GoGoGFRIENDinBKK.

The timelessness of music

Koh Mr Saxman, Jennifer Kim, Winai Phanthurak, The Sound of Siam, Pod Thanachai, Non Thanon, Pu Anchalee, Cheer Thikamporn, Toey Pongsakorn, Pui Duangporn, KU Wind Symphony, Aya Takazawa and Ueda Masaki & Yoshie N from Japan, and Richard Jackson will take to the stage of Askara King Power Theatre on May 11 and 12 at 7pm and 3pm respectively for the concert “Timeless”.

Tickets cost from Bt1,500 to Bt2,500 available at All Ticket at 7-Eleven.

The Olarn Project – the very first band to bring real heavy metal music to the local scene with their 1987 debut “Kumpapan 2528” (“February 1985”) – were back in action last Saturday night, rocking BG Hall with their reunion concert “X-Fire” as if they’d never been away.

Pong Pathompong stirs up the audience.

The stunningly successful concert brought together the original members – leader and guitarist Olarn “Oe” Promjai, singer Pathompong “Pong” Sombatpiboon, bassist Pitak Srisang, keyboardist and vocalist Chatpong “Tangmo” Niyomthai, and drummer Chanin “Gungging” Saengkamchoo who flew in from Sweden for the show. Also joining the event were some of the musicians who lent their talents to the band’s albums and gigs over the years.

“This concert made me feel the same way as I did when I saw phi Oe perform at Rock Pub when I was studying at high school,” said singer and performance artist Wachirapilan “Rik” Chokcharoenrat.

Rang Rockestra

“I am proud to sing this song again after gigging with The Olarn Project at Rock Pub for many years,” said Sornthachon “Bob” Khampakdee, former vocalist of rock band Lava who sang “Tamnan” (“Legend”) on The Olarn Project’s “Trilogy” album.

“Phi Oe was very happy though exhausted. The concert was an emotional mix of concert and pub gig and definitely the best rock concert I’ve seen for a long while. And seeing so many rockheads at this concert makes me feel there’s hope for the circle of Thai rock music,” added Ekachai “Ae Wizard” Kraiarnon, another Rock Pub stalwart.

Bob Lava put his powerful vocals to good use on “Tamnan.”

“I saw Olarn Project playing as the opening act for Deep Purple long before I was making music with my band. At that time, I got goosebumps from the vibes of the Thai rock band’s powerful songs. The Olarn Project’s album ‘Kumphapan 2528’ opened my eyes to rock music. This concert was the reunion of all pioneering members. It was so great,” said Maytee Noichinda, a member of ModernDog.

“I have known this man for 30 years since the days when I recorded my first album. These four hours of the concert have been truly beautiful,” said American singer, songwriter and musician Todd Lavelle.

Saxophonist Thewan showed off his rock chops

BG Hall isn’t a venue known to concertgoers – it’s actually home to Bangkok Glass Volleyball Club in Rangsit Klong 3. Little wonder then that despite a good sound system, the music had an echoing quality with the sound literally bouncing of the walls. All things considered, though, it wasn’t bad.

On the plus side, the concert management was good. Both sides of the pathway leading to the hall were lined with trucks offering food, snacks and beverages. And just in front of the entrance, there was a photo exhibition of the band where fans could stop and take selfies.

Kor Nopanan rocked the crowd with international covers.

Overdose and Yamin served as the opening acts and did a fine job.

The Olarn Project came out on stage at 8 with the founding members tearing into a first set that included “Khon” from their second album, 1989’s “Hoo Lek” and “Hon Thang Khong Khun” from the debut.

During the brief pause, Olarn greeted his fans, saying, “I still play music. It’s my life and my breath,” before powering into “Pleng Nee Puea Khun”, “Duay Tua Rao Aeng” and “Chan Yak Ja Tai Proh Ther (Wa).”

I got goose bumps just listening to the audience singing along happily with the band.

The Olarn Project and original singers posed for a picture with fans.

As the band prepared to perform “Khor Phom Sak Khuen”, Pong commented that the song had a double meaning with definite sexual overtones and the audience obliged by shouting out “khor phom sak khuen”.

The band performed “Mitraphap Chua Niran”, which was used as a soundtrack of the Japanese movie “Battle Royale” then Olarn swung into the guitar lead for “Ya Yud Yang”, a favourite with the crowd. Veteran saxophonist Tewan “Tong” Sapsanyakorn jammed on the intro as well as on “Sanook Kan Thuan Na” while Manote Puttan guested on guitar in an instrumental.

Pong returned to the stage with “Bot Pleng Khon Noom Sao” and “Palang Lae Khwam Tangjai” before Chatchai “Rang Rockestra” Sukkawadi was introduced and added his vocals on “Aeb Keb Rak” before showing off his high pitch on his own ballad, “Khid Thueng.”

All the Thai heavy metal band’s members were inspired by international songs at the beginning of their careers and paid tribute to those days with covers of “Going Home”, The Shadows’ “Wonderful Land” and “Theme for Young Lovers”, and The Carpenters’ “Top of the World.”

An exhibition at the front of the venue showcases the band’s photos.

They then played vintage track “Tamnan” with Bob Lava on vocals before going back to international music again with Journey’s “Open Arms” and Queen’s “Love of My Life” sung by Nopanan “Kor” Prayoonsuk, the latest singer of The Olarn Project.

The last set was heavy on the rock with “Wela Rock ‘n’ Roll”, “Hoo Lek” and “Fai Prathana” and finishing with the softer “Taen Khwam Huangyai” performed by original singer Tangmo.

The Olarn Project closed out the concert with an encore of “Rao Song Khon” and a reprise of “Ya Yud Yang”.

Favourites in the nominations, progressive rockers Liberty lived up to expectations at the 30th Season Awards held at the Grand Ballroom of Swissotel Bangkok Ratchada on Monday night, picking up four awards – Best Rock Artist, Best Rock Album for “Master Niche”, Best Producer and Best Instrumental for “Liberty” – of the five for which they received nods.

“To tell you the truth, I really only expected us to win two awards, one of which would have been for Best Rock Song for ‘Sang Sawang’, which is my favourite song. My thanks go to Season for honouring us with Best Rock Album, which recognises all our songs. I joined Liberty from Crescendo and from the beginning, we set ourselves a goal of making an award-winning song, So, we are so happy that it has gone as expected. Including an instrumental is a tradition when it comes to Liberty’s albums, as we they are not directed at the mass market,” drummer Aekpong “Ake” Cherdtham told The Nation after the ceremony.

“Our keyboard player [Puris ‘Tum’ Thongplengsri] composed this instrumental, which started out at 10-minutes long but was later arranged and cut to 3 or 4 minutes. We made it to show off our musical prowess and to encourage other musicians to try to do something different,” added singer Arvin “Id” Raviyan.

“Winai Panthurak [former member of The Impossible, who announced the award for Best Producer] is my idol and role model in the music circle,” said Sutee “Kai” Sangsareechon, former member of Grand Ex’. “I’d like to thank Season Awards for presenting this honourable award though I think it should have gone to Id for his production work on this album.”

Liberty’s miss on Best Rock Song was Chanudom’s gain, with the band being recognised of “Mai Muen Derm”.

“This award is for katoey around the world,” joked Chanudom “Pad” Suksatit, the singer of the glam rock band. “Thank you Season Awards for presenting Best Rock Song to us. I’m so excited. Thank you to all band members and our label What the Duck.”

Apartment Khunpa won Best Duo or Group and Best Album for “Apartment Khunpa” while leaving Best Recording for Stoic’s Wiworn (Revelation)” and Best Song for Penguin Villa’s “Way…”

“Thank you to all the supporting musicians, sound engineers and others behind this album, as well as music label Sanamluang and fans who have followed us all the time. This award gives us a tremendous amount of encouragement to keep going. We have had the same lineup since forming 18 years ago and will continue to keep working on the next album,” said Apartment Khunpa vocalist Tul Waitoonkiat, as guitarist Piyanart “Pump” Jotikasthira also thanked the band’s families.

“I have followed ‘Season’ magazine, since I was studying at high school. I didn’t expect to receive this Season Award for a second year,” added drummer Tassarerk “Ja” Limsila.

Best Solo Artist went to Pongsit “Poo” Kampee and Best New Artist to No One Else.

And in a special nod for this year, the Best Recording Package was awarded to the Kidnappers for the cover artwork of the CD “Signal”.

Progressive rock band Liberty has swept the nominations for the upcoming 30th edition of the Season Awards, with five nods to their name. After taking home the Best New Artist in 2003, and the Best Duo or Group and Best Album for “Liberalisation” in 2014, they are now hotly tipped to win Best Rock Artist, Best Rock Album for “Master Niche” and Best Rock Song in “Saeng Sawang” written by bassist Anek “Ake” Isawansalee, as well as Best Producer for Sutee “Kai” Sangsareechon and Best Instrumental for “Liberty.”

Chanudom is nominated for Best Rock Artist, Best Rock Album, Best Rock Song, and Beat Song.

Following closely on their heels with four nominations apiece are Apartment Khunpa for Best Duo or Group, Best Album, Best Recordings and Beat Song; Chanudom for Best Rock Artist, Best Rock Album, Best Rock Song, and Beat Song; and Junlaholaan Band, a trio that plays Isaan folk music, for Best New Artist, Best Producer, Best Recordings and Beat Song.

Isaan folk music trio Junlaholaan Band springs a surprise with nominations for Best New Artist, Best Producer, Best Recordings and Best Song.

Singto Numchok has three nods – Best Solo Artist, Best Album and Best Producer – as does Mai Siblor with Best Solo Artist, Best Album and Best Song. Lula is nominated for Best Solo Artist, Best Album and Best Producer; Penguin Villa for  Best Solo Artist, Best Album and Best Song; Dulyasit Srabua and Banglampoo Blues Company for Best Duo or Group, Best Recordings and Best Instrumental; and Bomb At Track for Best Rock Artist, Best Rock Album and Best Rock Song.

Bomb At Track is nominated for Best Rock Artist, Best Rock Album and Best Rock Song.

Musician and producer of Penguin Villa fame, Jetamon “Jay” Malayoda is back with a new album, “J”, 14 years after the debut “Oak Pai Khang Nok”. The new album features 14 songs telling the story of the band.

The awards ceremony will be held at Grand Ballroom of Swissotel Hotel Bangkok on April 22 at 5.30pm.

Penguin Villa is nominated for Best Solo Artist, Best Album and Best Song.

BOX

The nominees are

– Best Solo Artist: Poo Pongsit, Singto Numchok, Aof Pongsak, Mai Siblor, Lula and Penguin Villa

– Best New Artist: Chart Suchart, Junlaholaan, Daniel Didyasarin, Vega, No One Else, and Yerm

– Best Duo or Group: Dulyasit Srabua and Banglampoo Blues Company, Telex Telexs, Apartment Khunpa, The Yers, and Kidnappers

– Best Rock Artist: Chanudom, Bomb at Track, Zeal, Poomjit, Liberty and Slur

– Best Album: Penguin Villa’s “J”, Apartment Khunpa’s “Apartment Khunpa”, Mai Siblor’s “Superstar 3”, Singto Numchok’s “Just Have Fun with It”, The Yers’ “Cry” and Lula’s “Levitate”

– Best Rock Album: Poo Pongsit’s “Kae Kub Chan”, Chanudom’s “Loke Thee Saam”, Bomb at Track’s “White”, Liberty’s “Master Niche”, and Slur’s “Bin”

– Best Rock Song: Chanudom’s “Mai Muen Derm”, Bomb at Track’s “Jod feat Rim Silly Fools”, Zeal’s “Pruk”, Harmonic Distortion’s “Luem Fun”, and Liberty’s “Sang Sawang”

– Best Song: Junlaholaan’s “Wong Khojorn”, Penguin Villa’s “Way…”, Mai Siblor’s “Tang”, Chanudom’s “Khon Baab”, Apartment Khunpa’s “Sang Lae Ngao”, and Thongchai “Bird” McIntyre’s “Cheewit Diew”

– Best Producer: Komol Boonpienphol for Chart Suchart’s “Saman”, Sutee Sangsareechon for Liberty’s “Master Niche”, Prakasit Sanpakdee for Junlaholaan’s “Junlaholaan”, Kijjasak Triyanon for Singto Numchok’s “Just Have Fun with It”, and Muratha Ruamrak and Akrachon Rajpandi for Lula’s “Levitate”

– Best Instrumental: Foxy’s “The Great Barrier of Reef”, Triple J Jazz Trio’s “Evening in Ayuttaya”, Khru Add and The Salor’s “Grand Openning”, Maxim Quintet’s “A Song for Maxim”, Dulyasit Srabua and Banglampoo Blues Company’s “Loeng Nok Tha”, and Liberty’s “Liberty

– Best Recordings: Stoic’s “Wiworn (Revelation)”, Junlaholaan’s “Junlaholaan”, Poomjit’s “Jing Jing”, No One Else’s “Khon Thi Yang Mai Roo Wa Khrai”, Dulyasit Srabua and Banglampoo Blues Company’s “Sao Noi”, and Apartment Khunpa’s “Wikrit Wai Klang Khuen”

He’s also taking his “Good Feeling” tour to Seoul, Singapore, Taipei and Hong Kong.

Get a grip on your idol. Passes cost Bt2,900 to Bt5,500 at http://www.ThaiTicketMajor.com and (02) 262 3456.

A ‘luk thung’ Songkran

Bangkok’s Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theatre will host the concert “Songkran Baan Na” on April 21 at 2pm with luk thung classics performed by their 10 original singers. Among the talent are National Artists Chai Muangsing and Pongsri Woranuch and fellow luk thung masters Rungpetch Laemsing and Sodsai Rungphothong, all accompanied by the Chalermraj Big Band.

Seats cost Bt1,000 at the theatre (02 225 87578) and from http://www.ThaiTicketMajor.com and (02) 262 3456.

Just two of them

Jus2, a new subunit of Got7, are bringing their “Focus Premier Showcase Tour” to the Thunder Dome on April 26 at 8pm, April 27 at 6pm and April 28 at 5pm. JB and Yu Gyeom are sprinting all over Asia on this tour, which ends in Singapore right after Bangkok.

Seats cost Bt2,500 to Bt5,500 at http://www.ThaiTicketMajor.com and (02) 262 3456.

Hot warmup act

Japanese rock band One OK Rock will be warming up for Ed Sheeran at Bangkok’s Rajamangala National Stadium on April 28 as part of their 2019 Asia Tour.

Singer Taka, guitarist Toru, bassist Ryota and drummer Tomoya perform 100 concerts a year around the world, aiming to be Japan’s first globally recognised band. Seats start at Bt2,000 at http://www.ThaiTicketMajor.com and (02) 262 3456.

In love with Lany

American indie pop band Lany will perform at GMM Live House in Bangkok on July 30 as a part of a huge world tour backing their latest album, “Malibu Nights”.

Paul Klein, Jake Goss and Les Priest are also bouncing through Japan, South Korea, Singapore are Indonesia. Seats cost Bt1,800 at http://www.ThaiTicketMajor.com and (02) 262 3456.

Songkran’s global reputation as a massively fun water-splashing festival makes it pretty easy to pull in top DJs, big names keen to peg their rhythms to the chaotic hilarity of the occasion.

Headlining the Atlantis Water Festival in Bangkok today through Monday is DJ 4B from the US, dubbed “the next big thing” by one of the current big things, DJ Snake.

The festival is at the Proud Market on RCA, off Rama IX Road, and the fun starts daily at 5pm. Passes cost Bt800 on the mobile application “The Concert”.

Actor Rattapong “Kelly” Tanapat of studio Triple Z and former RS singer Patiwat “Zank” Ruangsri of TCG Group have put the Atlantis festival together.

They recruited Richkid Productions, which created a sensation with Axtone Stage and the White Castle Festival, to transform the market area into an underwater kingdom, while TCG Group will turn up with heat with more than 200 sexy young ladies.

Kelly wants you to imagine the usual Songkran mayhem with water flying everywhere, but set in a “thrilling underworld”.

DJ 4B was born Bobby McKeon in New York 25 years ago and grew up in New Jersey.

Ever since his first release “Bomboclat” was first played on BBC Radio, 4B has been wowing all the heavy hitters in the industry, receiving track support from Skrillex, Snake, Diplo, Tiesto, Kaskade, Zeds and many more.

His trademark single from 2015, “Pop Dat”, has been called “the quintessential bootydropping anthem”. It became a festival staple recognised all over the world, as well as one of the most-played trap songs of that year, topping nine million plays.

His dynamic remixes, including Fetty Wap’s “My Way” with Flosstradamus, have also garnered millions of plays.

Appearing onstage in Bangkok with 4B are DJ Timwho and Hanmin from China, Mike Cervello and Cesqeaux from the Netherlands and Snavs from Denmark.

Joining them will be Thai entertainers Bang Bang Bang, Twopee Southside, UDT Boy$, Ironboy, J$R, Ben Bizzy, Maiyarap, PHot and DJ Roxy June.

Here’s a roundup of other places around Bangkok that will be bringing Songkran to a boil.

Bronx, a new hangout on Srinakharin Road, and Begin Bar are celebrating every night through Tuesday with live sets by Twopee Southside, Urboy TJ, Oat Promote and loads of DJs.

Get the details at (097) 254 7899 or @brnx on Line.

Onyx RCA, recently named one of the world’s top 100 dance clubs in a DJ Mag poll, has the third annual Aquafest going on through Tuesday.

Foreign soundsmiths are churning out high-energy EDM amid fantastic productions. Learn more at http://www.Facebook.com/onyxbkk.

Route 66, also on RCA, has its Summer Party underway with hosts Oat Pramote, Art, Jetset’er, Fking Hero, Lazyloxy and OgAnic. Find out what’s up at (081) 440 9666 or @route66bkk on Line.

Dewar’s ninth annual Wipeout Festival through Tuesday features a huge roster of local and foreign DJs on RCA in the former premises of Ibiza. Go to @wipeoutfestival on Line.

Until Monday, Chivas Regal XV and DND Club are hosting “Water Circus the Submarine” in the club’s outdoor area with DJs and different bands. Tonight’s show has the Toys and the Mousses.

Book a table at (094) 414 9266 or @dnd.donotdisturb on Line.

The inaugural “Z Water War Songkran RCA” runs tonight through Tuesday on RCA Block A with Thai singers and DJs. A pass for the whole five-day event costs Bt1,000 and for a single day Bt299. Call (081) 633 6192.

Also new is the Songkran Colour Splash Music Festival at MSL Motorsportsland until Monday, starting daily at 4pm, with a different genre of music each day.

Go tomorrow for Thai-style country music, Sunday for pop and dance music and Monday for rock. On the bill are Bodyslam, Urboy TJ, Joey Boy and Tata Young. Tickets are available online for Bt900.

Chivas XV is also in the mix at Wine Bridge Plus on Ploenchit Road, where “Wild Beat Songkran 2019” features fun activities, DJs and other performers through Monday. It costs Bt1,000 to get in any day. Find out more at (02) 251 7767 or @winebridgeplus on Line.

Le Meridien Bangkok is having a “Songkran Street Beats Bubbles” party tomorrow and Sunday, starting both days at 3pm.

It’s got DJ Nuttrix, Kinky D, Joyyly and Tommy Nori, great street food sold from stalls and beverages sold from trucks and bars. Call (02) 232 8888.