Taking place on Dec. 19 and 20, 2025, at Woochu Sports Arena in Paro, the two-day festival will bring together 12 bands from across Asia, placing Bhutanese rock musicians alongside established international acts on a professional, world-class stage.

Headlining the festival are New Delhi rock veterans Parikrama, joined by South Korean math-rock band Cotoba, Japan’s genre-bending trio Paranoid Void, and Thailand rock band Poomjit. Representing Bhutan are North H, The Crossroad, Jimi N The Velvet, Paktso Boiz, Backbeads, Maybe Paranoid, The Revolution, and the Sangay Lhaden Band. Asia Rock Fest is funded by Bhutan’s Department of Media, Creative Industry & Intellectual Property and organised by Rock Hard Studio, founded by North H.

Years in the Making

While Asia Rock Fest may feel like a sudden breakthrough, it is the result of years of quiet dedication by Bhutanese musicians who kept the rock genre alive even when audiences were small and opportunities limited. The festival is not merely about loud guitars and heavy drums, but about shaping a distinctly Bhutanese rock identity and acknowledging a journey that began with amateur bands and has now reached a professional stage.

In a rehearsal room in Thimphu, North H, a band formed in 2014, continues to rework traditional melodies and Bhutanese lyrics through the raw energy of rock. The process is challenging, requiring familiar folk tunes to be blended with electric guitars and reimagined rhythms, but it reflects a growing confidence within the scene. For the band, performing at Asia Rock Fest–Bhutan represents a long-awaited moment.

“Rock music is still minimal in Bhutan; people don’t enjoy it much. Many bands compromise their sound to please the crowd or to get gigs, but they cannot fully express their creativity. I always thought the biggest opportunity for Bhutanese rockers would be to have our own festival, where we could perform our own music,” said Ugyen Tenzin, who is the vocalist/bassist with the North H.

Building Platforms at Home

Ugyen has been performing for years and always believed Bhutan had the talent but lacked platforms. That began to change with support from the Department of Media, Creative Industry and Intellectual Property. Today, he serves as the Concert Director of Asia Rock Fest–Bhutan.

“I could have stayed back with my friends in India, we were really doing well. But then my dream was to come back to Bhutan and form a rock band here,” said Ugyen Tenzin.

To his surprise, the rock scene was already developing, with around 15 active bands now performing across the country. Yet for earlier generations, sustaining a career in rock was far more difficult.

Giving Rock a Bhutanese Voice

Asia Rock Fest is also about creative evolution and cultural expression. Sangay Lhaden, the vocalist of The Sangay Lhaden Band said, “I am thrilled to participate, to be one of the only female bands from Bhutan. We are bringing a fusion of a Bhutanese folk song into a rock version. That is also something new for us to do. It also shows that our folk songs can be turned into a rock version.”

Beyond performance, exposure remains crucial for the genre’s growth. “The festival will promote rock musicians across Bhutan. People who didn’t know rock music will get exposed and understand what it truly means,” said Rabi Kumar Ghalay, a drummer of North H.

A World-Class Stage for Local Talent

According to Ugyen Tenzin, Bhutan’s live music scene has been steadily improving over the past few years, moving beyond occasional performances by visiting Indian artists or cultural festivals. The challenge, however, was helping local bands break through a perceived ceiling.

“We wanted to give them a platform that would be world-class and alongside big bands, with a professional sound setup,” he says.

Bhutanese bands performing at Asia Rock Fest were selected through auditions featuring 15 bands. “They had to be really good and creative with their original songs. They had to be tight, and we looked into things like showmanship as well when choosing these bands,” Tenzin says.

Regional Exchange and a Shared Future

Alongside eight local bands, performers from India, Thailand, Japan, and South Korea will take the stage, creating space for musical exchange and learning. For musicians and audiences alike, the festival represents growth rather than replacement.

“Cross-cultural influences are inevitable, and cultures will mix. So the idea is to be able to evolve and develop it in ways that will be useful. I see this Rock Fest as something of that sort. I am so glad that even a government agency like DOMCIIP has come forward to support it,” said Kunga Tenzin Dorji.

International artists share the excitement. “The first time we came to Bhutan was in 1995. Playing here and visiting the country feels very special to us. Bhutan has a thriving rock scene and a vibrant underground movement. The level of musicians coming up is impressive, and we are really looking forward to playing and jamming with them. I’m so excited to see so many new bands in Bhutan—rock and roll!” said Subir Malik, the founder of Parikrama, India.

As Asia Rock Fest unfolds in Paro, it marks more than a festival. It signals a new chapter for Bhutanese rock, celebrating creativity, resilience, and a sound shaped by Bhutan’s own spirit.

Hosts for the Asia Rock Festival (left to right): Karma Lhamo, Supe, Tenzin Yangtso

How Much is the Tickets and Where to Buy

TICKET PRICES:
BTN 300 (One Day) | BTN 500 (Two Days)

WHERE TO BUY:
 Thimphu: Ambient Cafe | The Gadgets | Central Mart
 Paro: In Style | Yeshi Dorji Central Mall
 CALL: +975 17 533 482 | +975 17 560 774