New works in the making.. Gong Tirta stretching the brains and flexing the muscles.
19th of April 2026 is a date to note in your agenda now! Gong Tirta will bring it to your ears and minds.
Their studio in the Gamelanhuis Amsterdam is brewing with fresh energy and bursting inspiration as Gamelanfusion band Gong Tirta is hitting new soundwaves and exploring uncharted territory. The expanded line-up opens up new possibilities to go deeper into the arrangements. At the same time the ever expanding experience in combining gamelan with its counterparts from other cultures breathes fresh life into the genre.
The 2020 Corona lockdown gave birth to its very own hymn, the electronic ‘Trance Morphations’ which Renadi composed while locked in complete solitude. A 25-minutes piece that meandered all over the place. From contemporary classic, prog, lounge, trance, dance to tribal and pop, it draws out over a trancy beat with a long set of lyrics that exposed some of the less savoury behaveouristics that boiled up during this period of uncertainty and chaos closely reigned in.
Now a shorter gamelan version is in the making as we speak! Themes of ‘Gambaland’ are embedded, a composition by guitarist Jeroen, which Renadi arranged quite drastically to fit into the music world of ‘Trance Morphations’. But the gentle melody also spills over beyond into a piece of its own.
And from a very different direction (the after-summer beach at Zandvoort) came the inspiration for ‘The AEternal Jellyfish’. A new piece that wonders over the mind-boggling Turritopsis Dohrnii, a creature that grows ever younger towards its final days.
But some older stuff is also ‘rejuvenated’. ‘ZapHooligan’, ‘Devachan II’, ‘Krawang Bekasi’, Silence Woke Up’ and ‘Kacang Lupa’ were risen from the vaults and their meaning and relevance renewed.
So don’t miss out on this electrifying journey of sound and emotion. Reserve the date: Sunday 19th of April 2026 at the Gamelanhuis in Amsterdam. Mail gongtirta@gmail.com to await the latest.
Tari Piring in the Koepelkerk
Gong Tirta collaborated with dancegroup Dwibhumi in a dynamic ‘Tari Piring’ performance at the personel event for international Payroll company ADP 20th of November at the former ‘Ronde Lutherse kerk’, nowadays better known as the ‘Koepelkerk’ in Amsterdam.
A moment of relaxed attention during the soundcheck.
Gong Tirta Archipelago at the Pasar Raya Nusantara
Time to Talempong: rocking the Pasar Raya Nusantara with Minangkabau songs at the grand opening 25th of October 2025.
Gong Tirta and Archipelago once again joined forces to bring Sumatran talempong music to the audience in the Netherlands, here at the Broodfabriek, Rijswijk.
‘On Our Own’ Indorock and more Live
Under their new name ‘On Our Own’ the Amsterdam workshop group Indorock blew away the crowd at the Bovenkruier at Zaandam Saturday 21st of September 2025, opening the Almost Lost Dutch Music event.
12 September 2025
Renadi, Yukari and Ista at Framer Framed
The exhibition themed the ’65 and after killing and subduing of Indonesian citizens and their families who were accused of being communists.
At the official opening on Friday 12th of September 2025 in Gallery Framer Framed in Amsterdam Ista Putranto performed the poem “Our Graves Are Everywhere” by Chalik Hamid.
With the accompaniment by Yukari Uekawa on saxophone and Renadi on kecapi and suling, the audience could space out in a highly dramatic mingling of poetry with music.
Gong Tirta @ Sail 2025: BINNENBOORD festival
20th August 2025 – Gong Tirta @ BINNENBOORD Festival 2025 Amsterdam
The BINNENBOORD festival will be held for the first time as part of the SAIL event. The location is the Marineterrein and gamelanfusion band GONG TIRTA will play several pieces from their 2025 concert program On Wings of Bronze at 16.30 hrs.
More info on BINNENBOORD:
https://share.google/3XLExifAbMJo2Zsm5
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DMxbjcxNIUp/?igsh=MXBxeDUxZHBsankzcg==
Gong Tirta @ de Dekoloniale Herdenking 2025
16th August 2025, starting at 19.00 hrs. Gong Tirta will perform two pieces of their 2025 concert program On Wings of Bronze. They will animate the welcoming of the guests and the audience with Devachan prt 5. Later in the evening, after the two minutes silence, they pick up with the latest rendition of Ascension.
Of course, look out also for the speakers and other performers: Reggie Baay, Feba Sukmana, Bernadeta Astari, Cheroney Pelupessy amongst others. As always, expect good food for the mind ánd for the body.
Location: Monument Indië-Nederland, Olympiaplein, Amsterdam.
Their website: https://www.16augustus.nl/
Gong Tirta – ‘Op Vleugels van Brons’ March 2nd 2025
Bold as ever and reinforced with two new members (!) ánd special guest Yukari Uekawa on saxophones, Gong Tirta again explores new, intriguing worlds of sound and extends your musical vista. Experience their latest program ‘Op Vleugels van Brons’ (‘On Wings of Bronze’) and take off where no man has gone before.
We play a full set of compositions by Renadi: Devachan 5, Jam Karet, Silence Woke Up, Ascension, Stretch. Tea and coffee will be served, and a limited number of CD’s are available.
Sunday March 2nd 2025 concert in the Gamelanhuis, Veemkade 578, 1019 BL Amsterdam.
Concert starts at 15.00 hrs. Doors open at 14.30 hrs. Be there and be on time, please!
Entrance €15,- / 15 years and younger €10,-.
Reservation is recommended, mail: gongtirta@gmail.com
Nope, sorry, we have no pin.
Gong Tirta & Archipelago at Festival Minang 21st February 2025
The talempong branch of Gong Tirta cooperates with Archipelago for a music concert at the Indonesia House in Amsterdam during the Festival Minang at the opening on Friday 21st February. The festival, which is from 21st – 23rd of February features an exhibition, traditional dances, music, discussions, workshops and of course there will be delicious food to enjoy!
We play music for Tari Piring and Pasembahan, Suntiang Gadang (a composition by Renadi and Jessica Polak), and several songs, most notably Kelok Sambilan.
The Indonesia House (look them up on Instagram)
Brachthuijzerstraat 4, 1075 EN Amsterdam
Gamelanfusion Jamsession December 14th 2024
Gong Tirta organizes their second gamelanfusion jamsession on Saturday 14th of December 2024.
Location: Gamelanhuis, Veemkade 578, 1019 BL Amsterdam
Time: 15.00 hrs.
Entry: pay as you like
Reservations: email gongtirta@gmail.com
With the success of the first impromptu jamsession June 2nd 2024, our band acquired a taste for more. Danne Lunenburg (electronic music) will be guesting again. Composer Luiz Henrique Yudo (allsorts) will be present too. They will be accompanied by members of Gong Tirta on a plethora of instruments from East and West.
Updates on guest musicians and repertory are expected on the site of the Gamelanhuis in December. https://www.gamelanhuis.nl/#primary
Interested in joining the jam as a performer? We’re still on the look-out for a modern dancer (m/v), a spoken word artist and even a (live) painter. Contact me: renadisantoso0@gmail.com
