Massive Attack, Pixies, 60 other acts head to Korea for Pentaport Rock Festival

From the hypnotic trip-hop of Massive Attack and the distorted guitars of the Pixies to the legendary noise of The Jesus & Mary Chain, 66 international and domestic acts are converging on Korea’s western coast this weekend for the 21st Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival.

Opening Friday at Songdo Moonlight Festival Park, the three-day event returns under the banner "RE:BOOT." The slogan signals an ambitious expansion for one of East Asia’s most enduring outdoor music gatherings, blending legacy alt-rock icons, global crossover acts like Khruangbin and top-tier Korean talent including Hyukoh, Silica Gel and Lee Seung-yoon.

This year’s edition marks a concerted push to elevate Pentaport’s profile on the international festival circuit.

Beyond bringing in performers from Britain, the United States, Japan, Taiwan and China, organizers launched preliminary events beyond Korea's borders.

A pre-festival showcase held at Shibuya’s WWW X in Tokyo — featuring indie acts like Parannoul and Say Sue Me — sold out, establishing a cross-border pipeline between the Korean and Japanese indie mu ...