November 11, 2025
THIMPHU – In December, Paro valley will transform into a high-voltage arena as rock bands from Bhutan and abroad converge for the nation’s first-ever Asia Rock Fest 2025.
To be held on December 19 and 20 at the Paro FC football ground, the festival is a major leap for Bhutan’s creative industry, blending local talent with regional rock icons in a celebration of music, creativity, and cross-cultural unity.
With an estimated budget of between Nu 3 to 4 million, the two-day event will feature 10 Bhutanese bands performing alongside four acclaimed international bands – Parikrama from India, Poonjit from Thailand, Paranoid Void from Japan, and Cotoba from South Korea.
During the press conference on the event, Tempa Tshering, Chief of the Department of Media, Creative Industry, and Intellectual Property (DOMCIIP) under the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment, called the festival “a milestone moment for Bhutan’s creative industry”.
He said that the Asia Rock Fest was conceived to power the local creative community and nurture a vibrant creative economy.
Tempa Tshering, who is also the project lead, described the initiative as an ambitious step towards elevating Bhutan’s music scene and positioning the country as a creative hub.
“This will be the first-ever rock festival of its kind in Bhutan,” he said. “Music is not just entertainment; it contributes to employment generation, youth engagement, entrepreneurship, and the creation of new livelihood opportunities in production, performance, and digital content creation.”
The festival, he added, aims to bridge the gaps in Bhutan’s music ecosystem, particularly in terms of large-scale, high-quality performances. “The rock genre has been somewhat laid back in Bhutan,” Tempa said. “With this festival, we hope to revive and strengthen that space, providing professional opportunities and international exposure for our local artists.”
The event is also expected bring tangible economic benefits during the lean tourist season. Local businesses, vendors, and the hospitality and transport sectors are expected to see an uptick in activity.
“By showcasing national talent alongside acclaimed international artists, the festival seeks to foster community engagement and position Bhutan as an emerging hub for international music,” he noted.
Tempa Tshering said that the government is taking a hands-on approach to ensure the event’s success.
DOMCIIP will cover key expenses such as stage, sound, lighting, administration, and promotion. It will also provide food, lodging, and performance fees for the Indian band and a professional sound engineering team from India.
The initiative is supported through the economic stimulus programme (ESP).
The international bands have generously agreed to cover their own travel expenses and waive performance fees, a gesture that underscores the spirit of collaboration driving the event, , Tempa Tshering said.
Ugyen Tenzin, founder of North H and the festival’s concert director, shared how the idea came to life. “At the beginning of the year, I heard about DOMCIIP and their support for artists,” he said. “We had a project with our band and when I met the director, I shared my dream of organising a rock festival in Bhutan. He was kind enough to listen and guide me through how we could make it happen.”
What began as a dream soon gained momentum. Ugyen Tenzin conducted auditions to select the best homegrown bands to perform at the festival. “Around 15 bands registered for the audition,” he said. “Twelve turned up, and we finally selected nine. Including my own band, there will be 10 Bhutanese bands performing at the event.”
The festival, he explained, will feature both original songs and a unique creative challenge. “We asked all bands to create one new traditional song in a rock version,” he said. “It’s something that has never been done before here, and all the bands are excited to show what they can do.”
To ensure a world-class experience, organisers have partnered with SuperSonic Lights and Sound, a company known for professional-grade stage and audio setups. “We did not want to compromise on quality,” he said. “That is why we are bringing in a professional sound engineer from India who has worked at major festivals.”
He believes the Asia Rock Fest will inspire a new wave of confidence among Bhutanese musicians. “Many local bands perform other genres to please the crowd,” Ugyen said. “But at this festival, they will have the freedom to express their true musical identity. It will give them the courage to perform beyond Bhutan, maybe even on international stages.”
For Karma Jigme, President of Paro FC and one of the event partners, the collaboration between music and sport represents a shared spirit of passion and teamwork. “At first, I wondered what football had to do with rock music,” he said. “But then I realised both depend on energy, teamwork, and the power to attract fans.”
He said Paro FC is proud to offer its iconic venue for free and to provide logistical support and accommodation for international bands. “We have always wanted to go beyond the pitch,” he said.
He said that handling the food stalls at the event will help the club generate some much-needed revenue. “Financially, we are also struggling,” he admitted. “But this partnership gives us both purpose and support. It’s a win-win.”
Tempa Tshering said the government views this year’s festival as an investment in Bhutan’s creative future. “We are pouring in all the funds without looking for a return,” he said. “We need to be bold and take the first step. This year’s return will only come from ticketing, but our real gain is in the experience and the foundation we are building.”
The Asia Rock Fest 2025, he emphasised, is not a one-off event. “We hope to make it a periodic festival, perhaps annually or every two years, and expand beyond Asia,” he said. “It is much more than two nights of music. It’s about positioning Bhutan as a creative and cultural destination.”