The Neighborhood

Street art survival: Navigating Jakarta’s changing cityscape

Having battled societal stigma and territorial risks, Jakarta’s graffiti artists now have to adapt their creative expression to the evolving urban landscape.

The Neighborhood

Blok M’s viral bites: To wait or not to wait?

Long known as a destination for culinary adventures, Blok M has been trending on social media for viral food spots with endless lines. Are they worth the hype?

Culture and Entertainment

Ready, set, cook: How cooking shows transcend entertainment

Competitive cooking shows have been a highway to fame for many aspiring chefs, and some industry experts hope they can do the same for Indonesian artisanal ingredients.

Culture and Entertainment

Jordan Susanto is searching his soul

Flirtatious in its lyricism, Jordan’s debut album blends the timeless essence of soul with modern pop sensibilities. Are we witnessing the birth of a new music heartthrob?

The Neighborhood

The hype and high of rock climbing

Rock climbing is reaching new heights across Greater Jakarta, fueled by an Olympic win, new climbing gyms and a vibrant community.

Culture and Entertainment

The rise of Jakarta’s bite-sized tastemakers

With their curated content and authentic connections, nano and micro influencers are increasingly shaping dining choices in the city.

The Neighborhood

Waves, Wi-Fi and work: Into the Nomadland of Canggu

Despite its increasing congestion and viral traffic jams, why is Canggu still a haven for digital nomads?

Arts

Behind the scenes with social media star Leika Garudita

The 9-year-old ‘kidfluencer’ from Yogyakarta has more than 10 million subscribers on YouTube and hundreds of thousands of followers on TikTok and Instagram.

Culture and Entertainment

The state of Gen Alpha digital play

‘Roblox’, ‘Minecraft’ and a brief conversation with Gen Alpha kids to figure out the current meta.

Culture and Entertainment

Old sound, new nation

Voice of Baceprot is the latest in a long line of artists, bands and musicians who have broken the barriers of language, genre and ever-changing trends to make it big in an international forum.

Away We Go

A brief atlas of under-the-radar islands

As much as we love Bali, Indonesia literally has thousands of other tropical paradises for you to enjoy, sans the throngs of tourists.

The Neighborhood

Dance and delight: Shaping Commune-sense at Krapela

The open-modular space and bar tucked away on the fifth floor of a strip mall in Blok M embodies the essence of a renewed youth subculture

Away We Go

Between the shores and the sea of Belitung

A brief escape to this island off the eastern coast of Sumatra has the power to bring out the island girl in a city dweller.

Arts

Punches to punchlines: A chat with Sakdiyah Ma’ruf

The hijabi stand-up comedian who tackles everything from conservatism to climate crisis talks about using punchlines to uplift the downtrodden and the oppressed.