[TF Scene] 'XMF 2026' Signals the Birth of Another 'Popular Festival'

First held on the 3rd at Paradise City Culture Park in IncheonDAY6, Ado, ONE OK ROCK, and many other popular Korean and Japanese artists to performThe first day of the Korean-Japanese music festival 'XMF 2026' was held on the 3rd at Paradise City Culture Park in Yeongjong-gu, Incheon. The photo shows the band ONEWE performing. / XMF Organizing Committee[THE FACT|Reporter Choi Hyun-jung] The new Korean-Japanese festival 'XMF 2026' has successfully taken its first step.On the 3rd, the first day of 'XMF 2026 (Xnterstellar Music Festival 2026)' was held at Paradise City Culture Park in Yeongjong-gu, Incheon. 'XMF 2026', which is being held for the first time this year, is a Korean-Japanese cultural exchange festival jointly hosted by the XMF Organizing Committee and NPO Japan-Korea Cultural Exchange Association, with the support of the Japan Culture and Entertainment Industry Promotion Association (CEIPA) and the Federation of Music Producers of Japan (FMPJ).In particular, the Japan Culture and Entertainment Industry Promotion Association, which participated as an official supporting organization, is an organization established by the five major organizations in the Japanese music industry – the Recording Industry Association of Japan, the Japan Music Business Association, the Federation of Music Producers of Japan, the Concert Promoters Association, and the Japan Music Publishers Association – and is also the organizer of the MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN, Japan's largest music awards ceremony.As a festival with the participation of organizations that wield significant influence in Japan, 'XMF 2026' attracted considerable attention even before its opening, with a large number of major artists enjoying immense popularity not only in Japan but also in Korea.Headlining the Japanese lineup were ONE OK ROCK, boasting solid popularity worldwide, and Ado, recognized as one of the biggest hit singers of the 2020s. Also joining the lineup were Novelbright, who gained high recognition through active appearances on Korean entertainment shows, UVERworld, with experience holding a solo concert for 70,000 people at Nissan Stadium, and Mika Nakashima, famous for "Snow Flower," further raising expectations.From Korea, the lineup was balanced with musicians who boast "proven" popularity and skills at various festivals, including DAY6, self-proclaimed "Korea's top popular band," YB, the "national rock band," and also included artists like Younha, LUCY, and Xdinary Heroes. Notably, this was the first time in about two years that DAY6 appeared at a domestic festival as a full group.The "mid-tier lineup" that led the overall atmosphere of the festival was also solid. From Japan, coldrain, People 1, My hair is bad, Marcy, Ae! group, and Saucy Dog performed, while from Korea, ONEWE, hrtz.wav, FTISLAND, Splayit, The Fix, and Hi-Fi Un!corn filled the stage with bands actively performing live both domestically and internationally.'XMF2026' featured a large number of artists who are very popular in the Korean and Japanese live music scenes. The photo shows Ado performing. / XMF Organizing CommitteeIn fact, what makes this festival even more interesting are the timing and location. One month before 'XMF 2026', on September 5th and 6th, the '2026 Sound Planet Festival', featuring Korean and Japanese artists, was held, and in November, Korea's largest Korean-Japanese music festival, 'Wonderliver 2026', is scheduled to take place.Consequently, these three festivals were naturally grouped as the "Top 3 Korean-Japanese Festivals" and were subject to comparison by music fans. Furthermore, the '2026 Sound Planet Festival' was held at the same Paradise City Culture Park as 'XMF 2026', and the overlap in the lineup, including UVERworld and YB, drew even more attention.However, once the event opened, it became clear that these two festivals, while featuring Korean and Japanese artists and utilizing the advantages of Paradise City, had significantly different characteristics and orientations.For instance, 'XMF 2026' enhanced immersion by configuring the stage setup as a dual stage with two stages placed side-by-side on the main field, similar to the 'Jeonju Ultimate Music Festival (JUMF)', and the timetable ensured that all artists' performance times were accommodated without overlap.In contrast, the '2026 Sound Planet Festival' aimed to broadly satisfy the audience's musical tastes by presenting diverse music and artists on five stages, each with a specific theme. 'XMF 2026', on the other hand, felt more like Korean and Japanese representative artists taking turns, like a baton pass, to introduce their music. In fact, 'XMF' has already confirmed its staging in Japan with a similar configuration.The artists performing at 'XMF 2026' also presented different setlists than usual, in line with the festival's theme of "Korean-Japanese Festival," attracting attention. Younha sang the Japanese version of her representative song "Comet" and chose songs like the OST for "Touch," which she rarely performs live, receiving great cheers.FTISLAND, who has been active in Korea and Japan for a long time, also included many Japanese release songs in her setlist, saying, "I can sing them at this festival."Additionally, Ado, the headliner for the 3rd's performance, delivered a unique and entertaining performance by covering "Blue Flame" by LE SSERAFIM and "And July" by Heize live. Ado had previously participated in the Japanese version of LE SSERAFIM's "UNFORGIVEN" and posted a cover of "Blue Flame" on her official YouTube channel. She had also mentioned "And July" as a song she often wanted to cover.Given that 'XMF 2026' featured "proven artists" with both skill and popularity showcasing "fresh stages" different from their usual performances, there were no major flaws in the live performances themselves. However, issues such as a stage lighting failure due to equipment problems and significant delays in entry due to long queues were minor blemishes.Nevertheless, a commendable aspect of 'XMF 2026' is its chosen dates: October 3rd and 4th. These dates coincided with the simultaneous hosting of over eight major festivals across the country, including the 'Busan International Rock Festival' and 'EDC KOREA 2026'. Consequently, the industry had anticipated audience dispersion, leading to sluggish ticket sales and operational disruptions.'XMF2026' sold over 21,000 tickets based on the Korea Performing Arts Box Office Information System (KOPIS). Including tickets sold overseas, it is estimated that over 30,000 people visited the venue over the two days. / XMF Organizing CommitteeHowever, 'XMF 2026' sold over 21,000 tickets (from domestic affiliated ticket vendors connected to the system) according to the Korea Performing Arts Box Office Information System (KOPIS), and including overseas sales from Japan and other countries, it is estimated that over 30,000 spectators will attend over the two days. This is a figure that 'XMF 2026' can confidently present as "competitive."Furthermore, given the nature of a festival where tens of thousands of people move continuously, including mosh pits, it is difficult to perfectly control all minor unexpected variables or all audience complaints. Considering this, the fact that the first event concluded without any major incidents is enough to give the operation a passing grade.Ultimately, 'XMF 2026' not only garnered significant attention from the outset but also successfully translated that interest into actual participation.The 'XMF 2026' venue on this day was undoubtedly a place where "a new popular festival was born."laugardagr@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]