INFORMATION: TWO-NIGHT music festival on a popular Phuket beach is likely to rekindle debate about the future of events that disturb shorefront residents.
Between 6pm and 2am on June 25 and June 26, the Phuket Music Festival Full Moon Version is to rock the Karon sands, in much the same way as the highly successful RoyFest in September last year.
Thousands attended the free RoyFest over two nights, and thousands are expected to join this year's Tourism Authority of Thailand-sponsored festival.
Having brought the festival forward to June and dropped the RoyFest title, people who class the festival as ''noise pollution'' will be more concerned to see whether organisers also drop decibel levels.
Some people also question the value of these kinds of events to Phuket tourism. Critics say that music events please a small audience for a short time, but alienate an even larger number of potential travellers. They also question the increasing use of public beaches for private profit, especially one precedent-setting restaurant on Surin beach.
Some events detract from Phuket's image as a destination that protects beaches and reefs from the ravages of overdevelopment, the critics say. Since the novelty of the RoyFest, the debate has spread from Karon along the seafront to Patong and Surin as music events and beach clubs have multiplied up the coast.
Topline DJs will be heard by fans and critics alike at Karon, whether or not they wish to hear them.
Performers include Japan DJ Yoji, Ireland's Agenlli and Nelson and Singapore's DJ B. Here's the full line-up:
Friday June 25
18.00-19.00 Joe Fox (Ska)
19.00-20.00 Job2Do (Reggae)
20.00-21.00 Mahajamruen (Electro Live)
21.00-22.30 DJs Thanathron (Techno)
22.30-00.00 DJs Activa (Electronica)
00.00-02.00 DJs Agnelli and Nelson (Trance, Electronica)
Saturday June 26
18.00-19.00 Tamone (Ska)
19.00-20.00 fourgusm Live Band (Reggae)
20.00-21.00 Bhuddha Bless (HipHop)
21.00-22.30 DJs Spydermonkee (Drum & Bass)
22.30-00.00 DjB (Electronica)
00.00-02.00 DJs Yogi (Trance, Electronica, Techno)
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INFORMATION: Darren Mac has fast become one of the most active DJs & producers on the music circuit, from the heady days at the start of the 80’s rave scene to a versatile provider of quality tunes today. Darren’s been preaching his musical gospel around the Asian region for over five years now and he has had the pleasure of regularly spinning his unique blend of eclectic uplifting house music at some of the region’s premier clubs and unique one-off events including Twisted Republic, 808, Q-Bar, The Tunnel, Mystique, and Bacardi pres Dance Anthems in Bangkok. 
