Alesso returns to Southeast Asia for one night only.

Global electronic music icon Alesso is returning to Malaysia after 12 years for a one-night only performance at The Landing, KL Base, on Jan. 17, 2025, 7 PM. This show is Alesso’s only standalone performance in Southeast Asia, making it a once-in-a-lifetime experience for his fans across Southeast Asia to witness one of the world’s most influential DJs live.

Tickets to this highly anticipated 21+ event will be officially open to the public on Dec. 11 via this website.

Tickets are priced at RM238 (GA Ticket), RM642 (Bundle 1: 3 GA Tickets), and RM1,143 (Bundle 2: 6 GA Tickets).

Ticket holders looking to elevate their show experience can sign up through All Access, where they can unlock exclusive rewards, such as Meet & Greets, Backstage Tours, Signed Posters, and Upgrades which started on Dec. 9, 2024. To access these perks, sign up at All Access’ website.

Alesso has redefined electronic music throughout his career, creating global hits-turned party classics like “Heroes (We Could Be),” “Calling (Losing My Mind),” and “Remedy,” and captivating audiences with his euphoric melodies with high-energy beats. With over 5.5 billion global streams, two RIAA-certified Platinum hits, and a list of iconic collaborations with artists like Katy Perry, Calvin Harris, and Tove Lo, Alesso has proven himself to be a powerhouse in contemporary music.

Alesso, born Alessandro Lindblad in Stockholm, Sweden, has continued to redefine the genre with his hits “When I’m Gone” featuring Katy Perry, which marked his Saturday Night Live debut, and “Words” featuring Zara Larsson, which was hailed as the “Top Dance Song of 2022” by Billboard.

With his massive reach and following across social media, amassing 1 billion TikTok views, and performances at some of the most iconic festivals around the world, Alesso remains at the top of his game.

Malaysian and Southeast Asian fans can’t miss this chance to see Alesso and hear his iconic hits live.

This event is presented by All Access, in partnership with Collective Minds, and organized by The Livescape Group.

For more updates, follow Livescape Asia on their Facebook and Instagram pages.

The 90s and early 2000s nostalgia isn’t ending anytime soon.

Backstreet Boys fans in Malaysia, get your wallets ready, because Nick Carter is gearing up to bring his solo concert to Kuala Lumpur in February 2025!

Carter returns to the spotlight with his “Who I Am World Tour,” a celebration of his solo music and career. This comes straight after the Backstreet Boys wrapped up their “DNA World Tour,” spanning over 150 shows in the US, Africa, Europe, Asia, and Australia.

The “Who I Am World Tour” features the Backstreet Boys' member's hit singles from his upcoming album of the same name — "Superman,” “Made For Us,” “Never Break My Heart (Not Again)” — and more.

The tour will mark Nick Carter’s return to Malaysia after their “In A World Like This Tour” in 2015.

Rohit Rampal, CEO of Hitman Group, and Kesavan Purusotman (KC), Managing Director of Happymoon, said that the event is part of their “mission” to bring various international acts to Malaysian fans, “Nick Carter is a pop icon who defined an entire era…After years of group and solo success, his current tour is making waves globally, making him the perfect fit for our lineup."

Nick Carter is set to hold his “Who I Am World Tour” at the Zepp Kuala Lumpur on Feb. 26, 2025. Ticketing details, as well as the Artist Pre-sale and General On-sale dates were announced on the organizer’s page. More details are available on Nick Carter’s website. General Public sales begin on Dec. 12, 2024, at 12 PM.

Tickets are priced at RM248 (Rockzone), RM348 (CAT 2), RM448 (CAT 1), and RM8,888 (VIP Box for 10 pax). Tickets will be available through Hitman Solution’s official website.

Don’t miss out on the chance to see boy band member excellence!

For more information, follow Hitman Solutions on their Facebook and Instagram pages.

The Beat Kuala Lumpur’s Up and Coming is a series where we feature rising talented artists from Malaysia, giving them a platform to share what they’re passionate about and promote the music they (and us too!) would love for the world to hear. Do you want or know someone who wants to be featured? Email us at [email protected] or slide through our DMs on Facebook or Instagram.

Home is where the heart is. FIG has had many.

A Malaysian born in the Philippines, raised in Singapore, and spent time living in Shanghai, Beijing, and Frankfurt, Fay had multiple cultural influences under her sleeves. Now based in New York, the young, budding musician carries her fair share of diverse experiences, which she translates into her music — as FIG, an alt-indie pop artist.

Releasing music as early as 2019, FIG prides herself on being a "self-expressing artist with a DIY attitude." True enough, her songs have been all about her everyday experiences: from the complications of love and friendship to the mundane moments in her life. She now even makes her own cover art for her albums, showcasing her true-blue self-made attitude.

“I’m most drawn to writing about everyday, mundane stories — like biking the same street daily or finding joy in a favorite snack. I love exploring how these simple moments can be special and appreciating the beauty in the ordinary,” FIG told The Beat Asia.

Living in New York, however, did not come without challenges. According to her, loneliness was the biggest debacle when she moved to the big city.

“The biggest challenge was finding a community. Even though NYC is so full of people, it can feel really lonely. Community is essential, especially with people going through similar experiences,” she confessed.

But FIG believes that when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. In her case, when life gives you a bunch of corn, make a cob stand. In 2022, the 20-something singer established her own events imprint, Cob Stand (which can be attributed to her love of corn). With Cob Stand, she was able to make a community of music and food lovers in her new hometown and give a platform for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) creatives and artists to showcase their craft.

“I started hosting my own music and food events called Cob Stand, which helped me not only find my own community but also create a space for others to connect,” she added.

Apart from Cob Stand, FIG, of course, is raising the Malaysian flag and uplifting the Asian community as she carves her way into the music industry. Just a few years since she started her music career, FIG has already made waves in the industry, surpassing one million streams with standout singles “Splinter” and “Pair of You.” She has also been featured in Spotify’s Mood and New Music Friday playlists across Asia and has supported other artists like grentperez, dhruv, Tiffany Day, Peach Tree Rascals, and Sarah Kinsley on their tours.

Recently, the singer-songwriter also released her album, “FITS,” featuring eight songs about love and loss — both of which pave a new avenue for FIG’s music.

“This project means a lot to me as it dives deep into the emotional arc of friendships and relationships, capturing both their beautiful beginnings and sometimes their inevitable endings. I explore new topics and continue to find myself as an artist in this project.”

One of the album’s tracks, “Opposite Day,” features Japanese American artist Yoshi T. The song speaks about the back-and-forth tensions in friendships and relationships, featuring a rhythmic rap verse from Yoshi.

“Working with Yoshi T. was amazing! I’ve been a fan of his work for so long and really respect him. I loved how we seamlessly blended indie pop and hip-hop on 'Opposite Day.' Even though we don’t hang out often, shooting the music video was so fun — we naturally got along and worked well together. In the video, we had to constantly argue, and it was hilarious how easily we slipped into it,” FIG shared.

FIG has worked with a few other acts in the past, too. But if she has to choose a dream collaboration, it would be indie R&B artist Orion Sun.

“She does things so effortlessly, and you can’t help but smile when listening to her music. She’s been a major inspiration, and seeing her live recently reminded me why I fell in love with her music. I’d love to work with her someday,” she added.

Amid all the good things going for her, FIG is still looking forward to exploring a lot more, especially when it comes to her music.

“When I first started releasing music, I had no idea what I was doing, so seeing my growth over the years has been amazing. I’ve been exploring indie R&B and enjoying that world, but as I grow more comfortable with my identity and artistry, I’m excited to see how my sound continues to evolve!”

On what her biggest goal as a musician is, FIG says that she wants to do a multi-show tour. But above all, she wants to continue building a community for her fellow artists.

“Creating a safe space where people feel connected and making a meaningful impact is the most rewarding part of being an artist.”

This interview has been edited for length and clarity. To learn more about FIG, follow her on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook, and stream her music on Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube.

Enjoyed this article? Check out our previous Up-and-Coming articles here.

Gamers and anime fans in Malaysia, here’s your sign to go for a merch run! Animate, one of the top anime, comics, and game (ACG) specialty stores in Japan, has opened a new store at the LaLaport Bukit Bintang City Centre — its very first outlet in Malaysia.

This marks Animate’s second store in Southeast Asia, following its arrival in Bangkok, Thailand.

At the store, otakus can look forward to a wide array of exclusive products from beloved anime and manga series, including “Haikyuu” and “Tokyo Revengers,” merchandise from VTubers of Hololive and Nijisanji, as well as games like “Project Sekai.”

To give its visitors a special treat, Animate LaLaport BBCC is giving away a free tote bag featuring designs from favorite anime shows for those who spend a minimum of RM80 on a single receipt. The offer, however, is available for the first 2,000 shoppers only.

To top it off, those who follow the LaLaport BBCC Anime Ambassador page on Instagram will get a 5% discount on their purchases!

Animate’s opening in Kuala Lumpur follows the announcement of LaLaport BBCC’s Anime Ambassador, KLP48 member Lucine. It also comes with the rising popularity of anime in Malaysia, with numerous ACG exhibitions, conventions, and festivals being held in the country in the past few years.

Check out limited-edition merchandise and exclusive items at Animate’s new store, located at LaLaport BBCC’s ground floor.

Location: Animate, Ground Floor, Lot G-27, LaLaport BBCC, No. 2, Jalan Hang Tuah, Kuala Lumpur

Fourteen-year-old karting champion Katrina Ee is often softspoken and demure. Her black-rimmed glasses and long, highlighted hair are very much in vogue among Malaysian teenagers like herself. Yet, those who follow her know that underneath the modest exterior hides an adrenaline junkie with a need for speed.

“I like the speed, the competitiveness, and the adrenaline of karting,” Katrina said.

In 2022, the rising female driver secured her first two karting titles as the IAME Series Asia Champion and Rotax Max Challenge Malaysia Champion. In 2023, she followed it up with three Asian karting titles, becoming the Rotax Trophy Asian Champion, the IAME Series Asian Champion, and Rok Cup Asian Champion.

Though Katrina admits that her family lacks a background in motorsports, their avid support has nurtured her passions into fulfillment. At seven years old, Katrina and her sister would spend the day at Shah Alam International Kart Circuit in Selangor, karting for fun. By nine years old, this weekend hobby had morphed into something more serious. Katrina entered local competitions, learning the skills necessary to compete in a male-dominated sport. Sadly however, skills and talent aren’t the only things necessary when jumping into an aggressive sport that is often riddled with misogyny.

“When I won my Asian Championships in 2022 and 2023, I was the only girl on the track so a lot of the boys tried to push me off [the track] because they didn’t want to lose to a girl,” Katrina revealed. Of course tactics such as these are fairly normal in her sport; Katrina’s only recourse? Learning to strategize and utilize her own aggression. “I’m more of a smooth driver, I’m not super aggressive. But I’ve learned to be when I need to be. When it comes right down to it, I’ve had to train my mindset; I knew I had to be confident. I had to learn to focus on myself and not on the other people around me.”

But while Katrina may be focusing on her own path and journey, her accomplishments reflect the abilities of women all over the world. “I like showing who I am [on the racetrack] and how as a girl, I can still be capable of driving with the best of the best in the world,” she said.

A firm believer in the power of positive thinking, Katrina reveals that optimism also helps while on the track. “If you think you’re gonna do well, you’re gonna do well,” the driver insisted. “But if you think negatively, it could lead to a negative outcome.”

As everyone knows, in the world of racing and karting, a negative outcome isn’t as simple as being too slow on the racetrack. A negative outcome could be as serious as flipping over a vehicle or hitting a wall. Katrina herself has experienced major injuries; in fact, she recently came into an accident, flipping her vehicle over on the track and blacking out for eight minutes. This eventually led to a head concussion.

“I woke up on a hospital bed and knew that my injuries were quite serious so I was off the racetrack for six to eight weeks, resting and doing physiotherapy,” she shared.

For those thinking of dabbling into the glamorous – yet intense – world of competitive racing, the pro stressed that it’s become important to adopt a strength training routine on top of a positive mindset, “You need to have a lot of neck strength because the g-force [gravitational force] while racing is so high. When you turn a corner, you have to make sure your neck and upper body strong enough that they can take in the g-force along with the speed.”

Commitment is another tenet of the sport. Athletes like racers dedicate their whole lives to achieving elite status. Of course, Katrina herself dreams of F1 eligibility, aiming first for F1 Academy.

“One must have full commitment if they want to do something special like motorsports because it’s a high-intensity sport and costly as well. It takes a lot of mental endurance and commitment, but one day I want to get up to F1,” she ended.

Mark your calendars, techno-heads! Verknipt, the ultimate name in hard techno, is making its long-awaited debut on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024!

Founded in the Netherlands in 2012, Verknipt has been electrifying dance floors for over a decade, spreading its wild techno vibes across the globe. Now, they are heading to Kuala Lumpur to shake things up!

Prepare for an unforgettable lineup of techno, featuring the masked electronic music maestro CARV, Dutch techno legend DIØN, and a host of other incredible artists like JOVYNN, LESSSS, MR. YANG, SHLØMO, and T78 pres. ACTIVATOR. Each artist is set to deliver beats that will keep you dancing until dawn!

The event will take place in the vibrant 18,000 sq ft Mega Star Arena, housed in the iconic Sungei Wang Plaza, which is complete with a food court, so you can fuel up for the night ahead!

Tickets are flying fast, with options for both Phase 3 General Admission and exclusive VIP Final Phase packages left! Go for the VIP Table Package to enjoy premium vodka, whisky, and mixers, while you party in style.

You can secure your tickets here before they're all gone!

For all the latest updates, check out their website, follow them on Instagram, and Facebook.

Are you ready for a dance experience like no other? The 2024 World Bachata Festival is about to take over Kuala Lumpur, and it’s shaping up to be the most exciting one yet!

From Nov. 15 to Nov. 17, 2024, the Bentley Music Auditorium will be filled with the rhythm and passion of Bachata, surrounded by fellow enthusiasts from around the globe.

This world-class festival in Asia will be filled with activities to keep you on your feet the entire time. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned dancer, there’s something for everyone to enjoy! Participate in 30 different Latin Dance workshops, and enjoy performances from national and international Bachata groups, such as Soneros Vibe, Bachatalicious, and ALSA, among others.

This festival is not just a festival for Bachata — it's a celebration of Latin culture. You’ll be dancing the night away to talented DJs from all over the world, including Romania, Australia, the USA, and New Zealand.

There will also be a series of themed social events, including fabulous nights at the Orange and Black Party, the Multicultural Night, and the glamorous Great Gatsby Party, where you can dress up and have fun, regardless of your dancing ability.

Location: Bentley Music Auditorium, Level 4, Wisma Bentley Music, 3, Jalan PJU 7/2, Mutiara Damansara, Selangor, Malaysia, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia

Get your tickets here, and don’t forget to follow the World Bachata Festival on Facebook and Instagram.