First Friday every month

DA ENDORPHINE and Kitti Guitar Gun’s daughter, Duangporn “Tape” Kanjanastit, were among the performers cracking open the new O2 Stage last week, launching a series of monthly concerts at the Oasis Creative Market next to Oasis Outdoor Arena.

Not to be confused with the O2 Arena, London’s premier concert and sport venue, O2 Stage is a fresh project for Show DC Corp, which will stage the series on the first Friday of every month at the Oasis Creative Market’s Music in the Garden in the Jutaratis-Rama IX area.

“O2 derives from Overdrive and Oasis,” says Prart Arunrangsi, who runs the Prart Music Group and the guitar-player magazine Overdrive. “We’re neighbours, and one day I was chatting with Chayaditt Hutanuwatra, head of Show DC. He was a hippie while living in America in the 1960s, so he thoroughly understands everything I’m doing. I was thinking of renting an area at the creative market for my projects and he suggested we collaborate on a concert series.”

Prart points out that it really is an oasis in the heart of the city, with its trees and cooler air. “I think it’s great for musical activities.”

O2 Stage has as its concept “Music is for everyone”. To that end, it has a “New Talent” segment offering up-and-coming musicians a chance to demonstrate their abilities. Then there’s “Spotlight”, strictly for youngsters under age 12. 

“Pro Show” will feature established musicians who’ve served as inspirations for others. And “Jam Session” gets the amateurs and professionals onstage together. 

The debut gig last week had Tape Duangporn performing a new song, “Chan Hai Cheewit Ther Ther Hai Cheewit Chan”, with her famous father taking the guitar solo. Supawit “August” Thiemcheewasilp did a powerful job on drums and vocals on a cover of Mark Ronson’s “Uptown Funk”. 

Prart and Chayaditt took the stage to explain their plans and declare the series officially open. And then Da Endorphine launched the inaugural “Pro Show” with a set list including “Mai Roo Jak Chan Mai Roo Jak Ther”, “Pleng Nee Kiew Kap Kwam Rak” and an acoustic rendition of “Sing Sam Kan”.

The jam portion of the proceedings had Da performing with pop band ETC, Prart on guitar and pianist-composer Jakkawal “Neung” Saothongyuttitum. 

O2 Stage concerts run from 7 to 10pm, making a compelling diversion for people who work in the area and want a place to chill out later. 

Coming up next Friday is a fusion jazz series event featuring Prart Arunrangsi, Neung Jakkawal and Duck Drums. Reggae-ska outfit T-Bone is lined up for June 3 and Jirayut “Jo” Wattanasin and Saharat “Kong” Sangkapricha from the pop rock band Nuvo will play on July 1. 

Music aside, Oasis is a pretty hip hangout with appeal for everyone, even families. You can take your pet, invest in healthy food, check out the art and see other kinds of shows. All sorts of products are on sale and food and fruit trucks are parked around the perimeter.

The creative market sprawls across 20,000 square metres of mostly shady green space. Shipping containers have been refurbished to house 500 retail outlets touring everything from clothes and drinks to organic fruits and vegetables.

 

O2 MEANS OXYGEN

- O2 Stage takes place on the first Friday of every month at the Oasis Creative Market.

- Keep up to date with events at www.Facebook.com/o2stage.