UVJF 2025 Day Two, Where Jazz Danced with Nature and Culture Took Flight

Ubud, Bali – Saturday, August 2, 2025 – The second evening of the Sthala Ubud Village Jazz Festival (UVJF) 2025 unfolded as a vibrant testament to the unifying power of music.

Nestled in the tranquil village of Lodtunduh, the festival continued its 12-year tradition of fusing world-class jazz with Balinese soul—drawing thousands into a celebration where melody, nature, and culture coexisted in perfect rhythm.

This year’s festival took a minimalist yet impactful approach: two stages, two distinct energies. The Giri Stage pulsed with bold arrangements and dynamic brass, while the Subak Stage—set against a flowing river—delivered intimate, ethereal performances enhanced by the natural acoustics of water and open air.

Day two began with the groove-driven stylings of Dizzy & Wicked, whose electro-jazz set—featuring tracks like Tentative Love, Canggu City Bob, and Lotus Blossom—brought an urban edge to the Balinese afternoon. Over at Giri Stage, the East West European Jazz Orchestra thrilled the crowd with fiery renditions of Almost Like Being in Love, Love for Sale, and a crowd favorite, Samba Para Ubud, written as a tribute to Bali itself.

On the riverside stage, Balawan Trio feat. Jiyestha delivered a genre-bending performance that merged jazz fusion with traditional Balinese motifs. Their set transitioned from Travelling Nusantara to a funked-up version of Don’t You Worry ’Bout a Thing, closing with the dazzling Bali Bach, a virtuosic blend of cultures and technique.

As dusk settled over the venue, French act ROUGE shifted the mood with cinematic compositions like Tempête, Strawberries in the Dark, and Pink Flamingo—each one a delicate balance between jazz improvisation and emotional storytelling.

Later, Jazz Traveller infused their set with playful originals such as G. Blues and Jazz Pasar, before the legendary Makoto Kuriya Trio elevated the night with precision and soul. With pieces like Intro Blues, Sakura Garden, and a blistering take on Cherokee, Kuriya reminded the audience why jazz transcends geography.

Closing performances included a smoky, introspective set by Mahanada—highlighted by Round Midnight and Me Myself Nada—followed by a powerful finale from Galaxy Big Band. Their rousing delivery of The Wind Machine, Georgia on My Mind, Feeling Good, and Coffee Rumba turned the festival grounds into a euphoric symphony of joy beneath a canopy of stars.

Yet UVJF is more than just a concert. It is a full cultural encounter. Festival Architect Klick Swantara and Diana Surya, in collaboration with Kadek Armika and his kite collective Rare Angon, transformed the venue into a living art space. Massive Janggan, mythical Wayang figures, and a giant Barong installation soared above the grounds—turning traditional Balinese kite-making into an immersive visual spectacle.

This year also marked a significant push for sustainability. UVJF implemented a reusable cup deposit system to minimize waste. Visitors paid a small deposit for their cups, which could be refunded or kept as souvenirs. The result: a cleaner, greener site that echoed UVJF’s harmony between art and environment.

“This festival keeps growing because it’s rooted in shared values,” said UVJF co-founder Anom Darsana. “For over a decade, we’ve worked to make Ubud a jazz hub. With continued support, we hope to take this even further. Our deepest gratitude goes to every artist, crew member, and volunteer who made UVJF 2025 possible.”

As the final notes faded into the night, it was clear that the applause was not just for the musicians—but for the spirit of the festival itself. Honest, soulful, sustainable, and rooted in place, UVJF 2025 wrapped with one promise: to return next year—bigger, braver, and ready to make Ubud swing again. (Tim)