BUZZ BEAT MEDIA

The countdown has begun as the much-anticipated Music Matters Live 2024 gears up to bring the best new music from around the world to Singapore from May 8th to May 11^th! Music Matters Live 2024 promises an exhilarating lineup of more than 50 emerging stars from across 16 countries – including Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, France, India, Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia, Canada, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam and the US.

With most events being free for all, and some by invitation only, Music Matters Live 2024 is all set to captivate audiences across seven venues and four nights of music discovery. 

True to the theme of discovery and innovation, Music Matters Live 2024 will take place at CQ @ Clarke Quay, along the iconic Singapore River at the fringe of Singapore’s Central Business District. CQ @ Clarke Quay is a unique conserved landmark, seamlessly blending heritage with modernity. The riverfront destination has evolved into a globally recognised, locally cherished haven, redefining day and night experiences. 

More than 50 Artists from 16 Countries 

Music Matters Live will feature an amazing lineup of wave-making performers and rising stars from across the globe, playing their sets on the mainstage at CQ @ Clarke Quay Fountain Square, as well as other partner venues throughout Clarke Quay. 

“Music Matters Live 2024 is a celebration of global talent, transcending boundaries and forging connections through the universal language of music. Join us as we celebrate some phenomenal emerging talent from around the world, right here in Singapore’s dynamic heart,” saysJasper Donat, CEO and Founder of Branded. 

Some of the highlights include:  

·         Nadhif Basalamah (ID) Indonesia’s latest viral sensation, signed to Believe, joining the line-up. 

·         Genre-defying Filipino star, Kyleaux, whose fusion of contemporary R&B, soul, alternative rap, and electronic music promises a unique music experience. 

·         Atlanta’s Gorilla Zoe, whose distinctive raspy baritone voice and smooth flow have left an indelible mark on the hip hop scene worldwide. Collaborating with rap giants such as Gucci Mane, Rick Ross, and Lil Wayne, Gorilla Zoe’s performance is set to be an electrifying highlight of Music Matters Live 2024. 

·         The festival will also be graced by Josh Makazo (SG) a multi-faceted artist and singer-songwriter who has had his claim to fame through his soulful voice and masterful artistry.  

·         Guests should also look out for PSYCHIC FEVER from EXILE TRIBE, a dynamic boy band hailing from Japan who swiftly captured hearts with their infectious energy and magnetic performances. 

·         This year is witness to our largest and most exciting contingent joining us from New Zealand with Teo Glacier, EMMA DILEMMA, WHO SHOT SCOTT over the 4 nights. 

·         India’s Dhruv Visvanath, fresh from the worldwide exposure of Apple TV’s ‘My Kind Of Country’, trades playing for Reese Witherspoon and Kacey Musgraves with playing for the Music Matters Live audience. 

The full list of artists can be found at www.musicmatterslive.asia.  

Music Matters Live is supported by Believe, one of the world’s leading digital music companies, and TuneCore, the leading independent development partner for self-releasing artists to build their audiences and careers. The festival will also feature a special TuneCore showcase.  

“Music Matters Live is an unparalleled opportunity for the artists joining this exciting lineup, including four from Believe’s talented roster, to perform in front of music industry professionals as well as their fans based in Singapore. We are proud to present Firdhaus (MY), GAC (ID), Rangga Jones (SG), and the Indonesian revelation of 2023, Nadhif Basalamah, who is set to release his debut album this year,” says Antoine El Iman, Managing Director, Believe Southeast Asia/Australia-New Zealand. 

Cyrus Chen, Head of TuneCore Southeast Asia adds, “Our partnership with Branded underscores our unwavering commitment to provide emerging artists from Asia with the tools, resources and opportunities they need to succeed on the international stage. We are also very excited on the regional collaboration with our counterparts in South Asia to jointly present Music Matters Live and the TuneCore Showcase.” 

Venues 

Throughout the festival, CQ @ Clarke Quay will be brought to life with showcases and performances taking place at the new flagship Swee Lee Clarke Quay, Señor Taco, and PULSE (a new concept by 1-Group at The Riverhouse). 

Attendees looking for drinking and dining options around the area needn’t look much further, with Music Matters Live’s Official Bar, Harry’s and Señor Taco serving up crowd favourite food at the Fountain Square Stage across the four nights. 

Showcases  

Music Matters Live will feature unique showcases across the four nights, including: 

·         Music Matters Live, featuring performances at the Fountain Square Stage @ Clarke Quay from Wednesday 8th to Saturday 11th. Performances commence at 6:30pm each day with artists hailing from various parts of the globe.  

On Saturday, May 11th, the stage will come alive earlier, starting from 4pm. 

·         NME Girls To The Front (Wed 8 May, Swee Lee Clarke Quay, doors 7pm): Bringing their acclaimed female and non-binary-led showcase to Singapore for the first time. Artists include Rhyu, a Singaporean singer-songwriter touching people’s hearts with her poignant storytelling and gorgeous melodies, Shazza, a Singaporean singer-songwriter who gained well deserved success from collab with Canadian pop duo, Crash Adams, and other inspiring female artists from the region such as Shye and noui. Tickets can be secured at: https://nme-girls-to-the-front-swee-lee-2024.eventbrite.sg  

·         Set The Tone (18+) (Wed 8 May, Phuture @ Zouk, doors 10pm), featuring the best of Music Matters Live’s hip hop,  Afrobeats, and R&B artists all on one electrifying stage. Featuring multi-million streamer William Singe (AU), U.S. Platinum-selling hip-hop legend GORILLA ZOE, the showcase will also feature Canada’s Arlo Maverick, streetsoul from Japan’s VivoOla, and New Zealand’s most fiery new export – WHO SHOT SCOTT. Zouk’s DJ’s Caden and Krisha will be spinning the wheels of steel through the night. 

·         Full Volume (18+) (Thu 9 May, Phil’s Studios, doors 8pm), prepare to get LOUD with seven international bands, including the wild ways of New Zealand’s EMMA DILEMMA, French floor-fillers Issermann, Thailand’s best noisemakers LEMONY, Singapore’s own Count Vernon, and more! 

·         TuneCore Showcase (Fri 10 May, Señor Taco, start 6pm): following a regional call to TuneCore artists, six selected acts; Mix Fenix (PH), Aldi Haqq (ID), Eleanor Whisper (ID), Grassic (VN), SPACE PUMPKIN (TH) and Peekay (IN) perform live at a night dedicated to them on Friday 10 May. 

·         Swee Lee Sessions, presented by Music Matters Live (Fri 10 May, Swee Lee Clarke Quay, doors 6pm): featuring a selection of Music Matters Live artists performing intimate, unplugged, acoustic sets. The night will include the world-renowned stylings of India’s Dhruv Visvanath, indie darling Peej (PH), the stunning Celine Wayni (HK), and many more.   

·         Girls’ Night Out (Sat 11 May, Fountain Square Stage @ Clarke Quay, doors 7pm) a flagship female showcase in partnership with ‘It’s A Girl Thing’ which will fill Clarke Quay’s Fountain Square Stage with some of the world’s most exciting  female voices in music, including Japanese soulstress Nao Yoshioka, pure pop from Indian-Australian JHM, singer-songwriter sensations JOYA and Celine Wayni from Hong Kong, and other fabulous artists.    

·         MIC CHECK (18+) (Sat 11 May, IKI, Riverwalk, doors 10pm) Music Matters Live closes out the festival in the club, bringing hip-hop, R&B, and Afrobeats to IKI for ‘MIC CHECK’, joined by French beatboxers superstars Berywam,  Australia’s number one Afrobeats artist Adrian Dzvuke alongside a lineup of promising new artists. DJ Hanif will keep the party going way into the night.  

Partner Events 

Aside from showcases, CreatorWeek partners will also be hosting invitation-only events, including: 

·         YouTube After Hours (Wed 8 May, PULSE): The crème de la crème of the music industry will grace YouTube’s renowned Music Matters afterparty, hosted at the newly unveiled PULSE at Clarke Quay. 

·         NME ‘The Cover’ Party – Invitation Only (Thu 9 May, Swee Lee Clarke Quay): Emerging artists and needle-pushers of the music industry will gather to celebrate the one-year anniversary of championing emerging talent on ‘The Cover’ – NME’s flagship editorial property. 

·         Def Jam SEA x 1880 (Fri 10 May, @ 1880): Def Jam brings an electrifying evening of Afrobeats & Hip Hop, featuring the vibrant sounds of superstar artists and DJs hailing from across the region, including SonaOne (MY), Liu Grace (VN), ALYPH (SG), DJ Cza (ID), Bad M.O.B (MY), and more! This is a ticketed event, visit Def Jam SEA’s Instagram page for more information.  

Music Matters Academy 

As part of the CreatorWeek conference’s Learning Matters track, Music Matters Academy will be held at Swee Lee Clarke Quay on Fri 10 May from 10am. 

Designed for artists, industry newcomers, managers and young executives, the Music Matters Academy features a series of fireside chats, panels and workshops dedicated to the business of music. The four-hour academy will inspire attendees to learn and upskill through mentorship, training and knowledge sharing from icons and experts of the global music industry. 

As part of the Academy, selected artists will be hosted by Meta for a hands-on workshop on reels and tools to help aid their discovery across Meta’s platforms. 

Music Matters Live 2024 is not just a festival; it is a platform for discovery, where music enthusiasts, industry professionals, and fans alike come together to celebrate creativity and talent from around the world. With more than 50 emerging stars set to take the stage, attendees can expect to be immersed in a dynamic showcase of the next wave of musical brilliance. 

*Cover Photo/Thumbnail Photo from Music Matters Live 2024