Bali Residents Fear New Year's Eve Chaos Due to Fatboy Slim Concert

Concerns are mounting among the people of Berawa, a village in Bali, as they anticipate the arrival of over 20,000 people for Fatboy Slim's New Year's Eve concert at a local beach club. Adding to the pressure is a performance by DJ Martin Garixx, expected to draw another 10,000 attendees, at nearby Atlas beach club.

The small community fears the singular road leading to the beach will become clogged with traffic, as the infrastructure is ill-equipped to handle such an influx of visitors. Wati Ernawan, a local resident, voiced the community's anxiety: "Tourists looking for a party on New Year's Eve should go somewhere else," she urged. Echoing her sentiment, British expat Toni Brown has chosen to travel to Vietnam to avoid the predicted gridlock and potential chaos.

Bali, an island with a population of 4.3 million, has experienced growing tourist numbers, expecting to surpass the pre-pandemic visitation of 17 million. But infrastructure developments have stagnated, the idea of a light rail system remains only on paper, and concerns about road safety have intensified. Incidents of road rage have made headlines, including a notable altercation between a Balinese priest and a tourist.

Aside from logistical worries, there are serious health concerns over the safety of alcoholic beverages on the island. Multiple instances of methanol poisoning among tourists have been reported, leading to severe illness and, in some cases, death. Safety advocates have been pushing for increased awareness around the consumption of local spirits and how to avoid such risks.

While the excitement for the performances by iconic DJs Fatboy Slim and Martin Garixx runs high, the apprehensions of the local community and the existing dangers cast a shadow on the upcoming event. The New Year's Eve party in Berawa may set off disruptive effects that extend far beyond the celebrations.

chaos, Berawa, concern