35 Artists From 20 Countries?! Here’s What Happened at Music Matters Live 2023

Music Matters Live returned with 6 nights from September 8 (Friday) to September 13 (Wednesday) at Clarke Quay with GPSS and *SCAPE.

35 emerging artists representing 20 countries, across 6 nights of music including Benjamin Kheng and Keenan Te, Nathan Hartono, Sezairi and Teddy Adhitya, Claudia and HNATA, J.M3 and KIRE performed off the back of new releases live for the first time, and took over the stage with surprise collaborative performance to the delight of fans.

It ran the nights of the All That Matters entertainment industry conference that took place during the day at the Hilton Singapore Orchard from September 11 to September 13.

Partner showcases included – GPSS @ CLARKE QUAY, Made in SEA, Music Matters Live SELECTS, SELECTS, Warner Music Presents, Girls Night Out & ONErpm presents: FUNYOUCANFEEL.

GPSS @ Clarke Quay Main Stage (September 8 and September 9 – Friday and Saturday)

On the back of a sold out show at the Esplanade, Singaporean singer-songwriter, shazza, kick-started the festival with a mesmerizing acoustic set followed by Australian TikTok artist, Keenan Te, who brought a huge wave of fans lucky enough to enjoy an impromptu meet-and-greet session with him too.

CLUB BOYBND from Canada, then brought the energy and won over the crowd before Benjamin Kheng and Nathan Hartono’s first live performances on the back of new music releases.

Made in SEA (September 10 – Sunday)

Opening act, Ethan Low, first got his fans going as the festival hit its third day.

Sezairi and Teddy Adhitya performed ‘Enough’ for the first time live. They were first introduced to one another for Music Matters Live from Home – an online collaboration series during lock down featuring Simple Plan and more.

Then the night turned to Taiwan, with GummyB and wannasleep of NIGHTONLYSTUDIO, It’s Your Fault and KIRE drawing in existing and new fans with their energetic back-to-back sets.

Music Matters Live Selects (September 11 – Monday)

Things then headed across to *SCAPE, where All That Matters conference delegates and fans got to discover new music from an eclectic mix of artists, including new faces – Boo Seeka from Australia and Love X Stereo (feat. DA1SY DØØM).

Fans also got to enjoy repeat performances from Mauvey, Teddy Adhitya and his band, and returning rising star Kalpee and band bringing the new calypso vibe to the festival stage from the shores of Trinidad & Tobago.

Warner Music Presents (September 12 – Tuesday)

Warner’s debut showcase featuring 8 emerging artists from around the region was a resounding success, thanks to a line up including Filipino sensation Felip in his first solo overseas performance, KPop star Shaun, plus dynamic
performance from China’s thomeboydontkill.

Lucky fans who managed to grab a limited number of tickets stood in the front row, waving hand-made banners and armed with gifts for their music idols.

Conference delegates, VIPs and fans were also introduced to incredible new acts like Abus, LUSS, Paul Partohap, yonawo and Vũ.

Girls’ Night Out (September 13 – Wednesday)

Music Matters Live’s closing night got off to an excellent start with Girls’ Night Out presented by Branded’s It’s A Girl Thing, featuring our first ever Saudi Arabian artist, Faluna and many more.

New Zealand’s Paige returned to the stage, capturing the hearts of new fans. She then went on to Korea where she met with her largest fan-base in Asia and received a platinum award for her debut album ‘Always Growing’. Look out for her sophomore album ‘King Clown’ dropping October 13 (Friday).

Fans of Malaysia’s CLAUDIA were easily identifiable; they were able to sing every lyric to her songs and dressed up in her signature style.

Last but not least Singapore’s own J.M3 brought rock glam to Girls’ Night Out and invited KIRE back to the stage to perform their single ‘X’.

Girls’ Night Out also featured the power vocals of BIRDEE王煒 and closed the 6 nights of the festival mainstage to the electro dance beats of Love X Stereo (feat. DA1SY DØØM) and DJ Toastybiskit.

ONErpm – FUNYOUCANFEEL (September 13 – Wednesday)

Our final showcase of the festival, ONErpm’s APAC launch, had fans and artists partying into the night at YANG, by the Riverhouse. The atmosphere of YANG was the perfect place to close out the epic 6 nights of Music Matters Live, with artists, fans and delegates coming together to collaborate and celebrate.

Ethan Low floored the audience when he brought CLUB BOYBND out during his set.

Meanwhile, arguably one of the showcase’s highlights was CLAUDIA and HNATA debuting their collaboration single ‘The Worst Part’ live on stage.

“Taking the stage at Music Matters in Singapore was a total rush! It was my first time performing in this awesome city and the crowd’s energy was off the charts. Teaming up with the amazing Benjamin Kheng on our upcoming single was a dream come true,”

“We feel super lucky to have performed it together. This release marks a fresh chapter in my musical journey, and I’m stoked to share it with you all!” shared Australian artist, Keenan Te.

Want to be discovered? Band applications for Music Matters Live 2024 will be launched soon. Follow Music Matters Live for more updates!

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