Star Metro - Young Indonesians toast Britpop scene with singalongs, swagger

The party more than 7,000 miles (11,000 kilometres) from British shores is inspired by the 'Britpop' scene at the height of Cool Britannia about 30 years ago, centred on bands like Manchester's Oasis, rivals Blur and Suede.

Playing to the 800-strong crowd is a DJ collective called the Weekenders Service Crew, who have turned student gatherings into a "Britpop party service".

They now tour Indonesia's main island Java attracting thousands with a raucous mix of British music, fashion and football culture.

"Music is my soul and I bring Weekenders Service Crew to other cities to share the happiness, to share the vibe," said 24-year-old co-founder Abraham Vieniel.

"It's the fashion, music... and then football. It's mixed."

While the sentimentality for Britain in Southeast Asia may surprise, the appeal for its catchy, melodic rock hymns as an antidote to bleaker US grunge tunes and present-day commercial hits has not been lost.

Abraham and co-founder Bimo Nugroho say they have turned the events, which started in Java's Yogyakarta city, into a full-time job in just two years.

The collective has amassed more than 30,000 followers on Instagram, where they post scenes of revelry alongside pictures of famous Britpop frontmen Liam Gallagher and Damon Albarn.

Their fans wear British nineties streetwear from Reebok trainers to Kangol bucket hats, as well as the Stone Island brand made famous by the European 'casual' hooligan subculture.

Others don flat caps, looking like characters out of the British television show Peaky Blinders.

"It's like in the UK. After watching football they go to the bar," said Muhammad Fillah Pratama, an 18-year-old student.

"I think what Indonesians are adopting is the culture in the UK."

Inside the warehouse fans from rival football clubs party together, a remarkable sight in a country with a history of brutal fan violence.

"It unites the differences," said concert-goer and Persija Jakarta fan Peter Chev, 23.

"In every fans, in every club, there must be a form of rivalry, right? And (here) they are united in one venue, one place."

- 'Safe, fun space' -

The night quickly turns into a frenzied affair as star of the show Bimo steps on stage with jet-black shades and slicked hair.

He fires up the crowd -- who have each paid nearly $5 to enter -- through the smoky haze with a microphone in hand and a swagger encapsulating that of his idols.

The crew's members climb tables on stage, with local spirits passed around and crowd surfers flung into the air as the singalongs get into full swing.

Upbeat records such as "I Am the Resurrection" by the Stone Roses segue into slow singalongs from Oasis and The Smiths -- credited with partly inspiring Britpop -- against the backdrop of a giant England flag.

As the joyous scene unfolds, British classics are replaced by famous football chants like Liverpool's "You'll Never Walk Alone" and West Ham's "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles".

Among the testosterone-fuelled crowd are some women also enjoying the music.

"Old and young people, if they want to come here, they can come here. Women as well. Everyone is welcome," said Chev.

The DJ collective's young creators promote equality at the shows.

"Thank you for taking the decision to... make the show a comfortable and safe, fun space for female friends," reads one of its Instagram posts.

"No sexism. No racism. No violence."

Music experts in Indonesia say the love of a movement emphasising Britishness is rooted in Dutch colonial cities like Jakarta and Bandung, which were built for Europeans who many still want to reference and imitate.

But the scene also serves as a space for disenfranchised youth who have been protesting in recent weeks against President Prabowo Subianto's budget cuts.

"British music... is like the catharsis for them to escape from the dark reality in Indonesia right now," said ethnomusicologist Aris Setyawan.

"They can forget the problems they have to face in their real life."

The crew's founders want to help people shrug off those worries, hosting some events on Sundays before the work week starts.

As the lights come on, the revellers keep singing into the night.

"I think it's not a job, it's a party, man," said Abraham.

"We have fun with this music. We have fun with this fashion. We relieve stress."

D.Ch. Nadeau--SMC