On January 30 this year, things are set to change. MIDEM, the music conference that needs no introduction, and has been bringing music makers, brands, distribution specialists, journalists, labels and critics together from across the globe for 45 years, will debut an exclusive South-East Asian showcase event in 2012 – a move which has sparked global interest in the Asia Pacific’s thriving and eclectic music scene. In an effort to support misrepresented regions like South-East Asia (where, despite huge economic and population booms in recent years, MIDEM representation of the region has plateaued at 5% of all attendees), five bands from across Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia will draw audiences from around the world to the Black Pearl; an official off-premise MIDEM venue in Cannes, France. Held annually, MIDEM supports music networking from around the globe, and the South- East Asian showcase (launching January 30th, 2012), and will see the performers rubbing shoulders with some of the biggest names in the international music industry.
The Showcase lineup
The five featured acts, comprised of Charles J Tan (Australia/Singapore), White Shoes and The Couples Company (Indonesia), The Young Liars (Indonesia), Tenderfist (Malaysia) and The Great Spy Experiment (Singapore) bring with them a variety of unique aural eccentricities which, while encompassing a definitive, region-specific influence, are also relatable to audiences and critics on an international scale. Charles J Tan’s effortless blend of inventive beats and soulful, old-school melodies will lull audiences into a passionate embrace, while experimental trip-pop aficionados from Tenderfist ignite the senses with visceral breaks and hushed, ethereal vocals. White Shoes and The Couples Company, a crowd favourite, embrace the weird facets of modern glam-jazz, and The Great Spy Experiment commit to the impossible, crossing the cultural divide that defines Asian-influenced pop, while at the same time embracing the elements of mellow Western guitar jams that have launched many before them to superstardom. The last line-up addition is The Young Liars, displaying a fastpaced, supercharged and nosebleed rock!
19h – 19h40: Charles J Tan (Australia/Singapore)
20h – 20h40: Tenderfist (Malaysia)
21h – 21h40: The Great Spy Experiment (Singapore)
22h – 22h40: White Shoes and The Couples Company (Indonesia)
23h – 23:40: The Young Liars (Indonesia)
Venue: Black Pearl – 22 rue Macé, 06400 Cannes, France
StreamJam to stream the virtual concert
The South-East Asian showcase by Music Services Asia will be streamed by the new StreamJam; the latest creation from the Emmy-award winning virtual reality junkies at The Electric Sheep Company. Fans and critics will soon be able to log in and rock out to their favourite international acts, virtually “attending” concerts through user-powered avatars. StreamJam’s debut at MIDEM 2012 is one of great anticipation, and will no doubt push the representation of South-East Asian feature artists throughout the duration of the concert, and beyond!
Midem 2012 music compilation
The artists also feature on an exclusive MIDEM 2012 compilation release, which can be accessed online through Valleyarm and Music Services Asia in the lead up to the event (valleyarm.com/midem2012, apple.com/itunes).
Who are we?
Music Services Asia, along with Valleyarm Digital Pty Ltd, is the leading distributor of weekly news, reviews and interviews, as well as charts and digital content, from the Asia Pacific region and beyond. Their involvement in the SEA MIDEM Showcase series has been an integral part of the growing awareness of Asian music on a global scale. More on this, as well as features and interviews with the artists, can be found in Music Weekly: Music Services Asia’s soon-to-be-launched weekly publication, outlining the latest and greatest news from the region, or on the website (musicservices.asia).
Music Services Asia will be attending Midem 2012 at the Open Area, Medium Stand 07. Drop by anytime or set up an appointment: info@musicservices.asia.
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