Korean Job Discussion Forums

shaun k · Joined: 23 Jan 2003

i live way south, but my friend is coming from the states for a visit this saturday, and we will be staying in seoul for the weekend, and i was hoping to catch some live music on saturday night. any kind of music is fine (punk(ish), cover, even jazz), i just want the place to be a trip for my friend -- freakishly korean, memorable. where i live here in kumi there is nothing. help me out please.

Arthur Fonzerelli · Joined: 22 Jan 2003 Location: Suwon

The Blue Moon Jazz Bar in Apkujeong is a nice place for some live jazz and a great atmosphere... Some good talent there...

gang ah jee · Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Location: city of paper

Try Drug Club in Hongdae... Most famous punk venue in Korea. It's smoke and alcohol free and the shows start really early (ie it's full of kids) but it can be great fun. It's in lonely planet.

There are several other live music clubs around Hongdae. I went to some on week nights and then they basically function as practice rooms for rock cover bands. Lots of 20 year old jazz students screaming out "killing in the name" and so on. Weekends are probably better though.

If you go to Hongdae early on Saturday there should be signs for the clubs taped on the ground on the way up to the university.

Bulsajo · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

I'll probably get some flak for suggesting this, but I have seen some pretty decent cover bands on Fri./Sat. at the Hard Rock Cafe in Cheongdam-dong. No cover charge (unless things have changed), but the drinks are steep and don't even think of ordering food after 9pm- they'll throw on a 'nightclub tax' that will empty your wallet pretty fast. If you like to drink but are on a budget you can fill up Long Islands (or whatever) at the Bennigans or TGIF down the block (or head up to the soju tent next to the GM dealership) and then nurse a beer at the show. They also have Sambucca. Cool

gang ah jee · Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Location: city of paper

Bulsajo · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

Harvard Material · Joined: 25 Feb 2003 Location: Seoul

If you wind up in Apkujeung find Texas Moon. Check out the Jazz club the other poster suggested, and later move over to Texas Moon for some smokin blues. I have been, and played, several times. It is an open stage. The atmosphere is great, some of the musicians I have met there are amazing players, and the prices are good. It's all good!

Go to Apkujeung, and have your memorable evening!

The Lemon · Joined: 11 Jan 2003

There are also several worthwhile bars in Hyewha/Taehang-no (just look for the big "LIVE JAZZ!" signs)... low or nil cover charge, and many of the groups are staffed by excellent SNU music students... just head north (I think) and in a block or two from the park near the subway station. You'll find a cluster of them.

gang ah jee · Joined: 14 Jan 2003 Location: city of paper

Harpeau · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Location: Coquitlam, BC

There is lots happening this weekend with many St. Patrick's Day Festivities.
Here's a link:
http://www.seoulshamrock.co.kr/

There is the Irish Parade- Sunday at 1pm in Itaewon. There will be live music happening there (I'm one of the performers- look for the guy in green holding a Seagull guitar!
)
Also, on this Sunday night (that's the 1st & 3rd of every month), is the Seoul Artist Network at the Woodstock in Itaewon at 8pm. It's live music, poetry, performance art, dance, etc. It's an open stage format.

On every Tuesday night, kicking off around 9pm at the Big Electric Cat, in Itaewon (behind the Hamilton Hotel accross from Gecko's GARDEN) is an open stage of music and poetry. Last night was awesome!

The odd Sat. there is live music at Sam Cook's in Heywha, but it's very sudden & unpredictable.
Take care and enjoy the craik this weekend.
Harpo

oldfort · Joined: 09 Oct 2003

Sorry to dig up this old thread, but I just had to thank you for the link, Harpeau! I'm feeling a little blah right now because I got to hear two great celtic-ish bands this weekend here in Canada (mostly Maritimes and valley tunes, but Irish in origin, I guess), and I just realized how much I'll miss that stuff in Korea. I'm sure I'll find interesting things to do once I get there, and I'll be several hours from Seoul, but it's a great relief to know that I can get myself onto a bus and go and hear tunes when I'm feeling really really homesick. St. Paddy's in 2004 is an idea, too.

So I'll keep an eye on that link and bring some songs with me. Thanks Smile

Mr. Pink · Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Location: China

Just Blues in Itaewon.

Harpeau · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Location: Coquitlam, BC

Also, on this Sunday night (that's the 1st & 3rd of every month), is the Seoul Artist Network at the Woodstock in Itaewon at 8pm. It's live music, poetry, performance art, dance, etc. It's an open stage format. Tonight, we have a real treat for you all. For those who remember the old board, you may recall the always humorous "Thumbnail Poster Monkey". He'll be our host and will be doing some stand-up comedy. It promises to be an awesome night! Hoping to see you at the Woodstock, in Itaewon!

Harpeau

Swiss James · Joined: 26 Nov 2003 Location: Shanghai

I found a really cool little live music club/bar last night in Hongdae- "Aura". We got there too late for the music but were talking to one of the bands who'd flown over for Japan for the gig- they seemed like good guys, covered in cool tattoos too. I'll be going back soon, it was near the train tracks between Sinchon and Hongdae.

There's also a jazz bar called "Palm" near US66 in a more popular area of Hongdae. The woman who sings there on Friday nights is amazing- she sings with a guy accompanying her on guitar and both of them are fricking virtuosos. I think they stick an extra 5,000 "live charge" on your bill, other than that you just pay for drinks.