Depok, W. Java. The Padepopan Music Festival was held in Depok and presented by Junior Digital Indonesia and Memorise Fun Club, the organizers behind Pesta Bebas Berselancar (PBB) and Hadjatan Keliling Kota (Djatlingko). The festival adopted the theme “Seragam Beragam” (Uniform yet Diverse), reflecting Depok’s cultural diversity, including its mix of communities, professions, beliefs and local history.

The event took place on Dec. 7, at Jatijajar Transit Hub, an active intercity bus terminal in Depok that is rarely used as a music festival venue. Bus services continued to operate normally during the event.

True to its name, Padepopan -- derived from the word padepokan (a place of gathering or learning) --- and its theme “Seragam Beragam,” the festival was more than just a music event. Padepopan served as a meeting point for musicians, local heroes, and Depok-based communities, celebrated together with young people from Depok and beyond.

Artists Line-Up

Padepopan featured seven musicians from various genres and regions on the main stage, Bricks Stage. The Cottons opened the festival with warm energy. Banda Neira performed as heavy rain fell, yet the audience kept singing along, creating an intimate and soulful atmosphere. Olsam, a local hero from Depok, entertained the crowd with a lively set. Nosstress from Bali performed in Depok for the first time, and during their final song stepped down in front of the barricade to greet and thank the audience for their support.

After a break for evening prayers, Hindia and .Feast helped channel the crowd’s anxieties and critical voices through moments that were both warm and high-energy. White Chorus closed the Bricks Stage on a festive note, leading the audience in a rousing rendition of “Minggu.”

The second stage, Alter Stage, was curated by Pemuda Dalam Gang, a Depok-based collective, and showcased local heroes such as Corale Riff and Arc Yellow. Jarah brought the Gerakan Aceh Mencukur initiative, offering live haircuts during the performance. Saling Sapa was taken over by Kolase Kultur in a talk show session with art practitioners. Aduy Kicuy and Benang Kenur kept the audience laughing throughout their set, while The Gedor — short for Gerobak Dorong — an authentic roaming dangdut group from around Depok, closed Alter Stage on a lively note.

Two Stages and Community Creative Zones

In its first year, Padepopan featured a main stage, Bricks Stage, and Alter Stage, an intimate space curated by Pemuda Dalam Gang. Beyond the stages, the festival also introduced a community zone called Tengkulak Kalcer, organized by Pemuda Dalam Gang as a meeting and exploration space featuring a range of creative activities, including:

• Gerakan Aceh Mencukur, a mobile haircut exhibition experience traveling from Depok to Sumatra by bicycle.

• Dalmention, a showcase and rework station, modifying clothing into fresher designs.

• Gambar Bagus, a space to capture moments through on-the-spot illustrations.

• Dalam Gang Recs and Kios Warga, offering cassette tapes, vinyl records, and merchandise from Depok local heroes.

• Bee n Beads, workshops for making bracelets, necklaces, rings, and other accessories.

• LCKYDY, knitting and embroidery workshops, turning yarn into finished items.

• Tangled Stuff, rope and knotting activities fostering connection and togetherness.

Inclusivity, MSMEs, and Waste Bank Collaboration

Padepopan ensured an inclusive and welcoming space for all visitors, including people with disabilities, pregnant women, and children over five years old. Priority areas were provided for people with disabilities, parents, young children, and pregnant women, along with two designated smoking areas.

More than 22 local MSME tenants enlivened the culinary area, allowing Padepopan to present a vibrant arts space while providing tangible support for Depok’s creative economy.

The festival also collaborated with Bank Sampah Induk Rumah Harum, which provided waste sorting drop boxes. Waste collected during Padepopan will be sent to the Rumah Harum Waste Bank for recycling.

A New Gathering Space for Depok

Padepopan brought an open, collaborative celebratory energy rooted in community strength. The festival served as a space for music and civic gathering, giving room for artists, MSMEs, and Depok-based creative initiatives to grow together. With two stages, a community zone, and support from Bank Sampah Induk Rumah Harum, Padepopan demonstrated how a festival can combine cultural expression with civic participation. The event is expected to be an initial step toward enriching Depok’s cultural ecosystem and opening the way for more creative spaces in the years ahead.

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