Here’s Your Chinese Zodiac Predictions for Year of the Dragon 2024

The United States has Coachella, Burning Man, and Lollapalooza, while Europe also boasts Barcelona’s Primavera Sound, England’s Glastonbury, Belgium’s Tomorrowland, and Budapest’s Sziget Festival. Asia’s music festivals, however, are not to be missed. Just within the last two months of 2024, Hong Kong’s Clockenflap and Rolling Loud in Pattaya, Thailand rocked music lovers and festivalgoers alike.

No matter which festival, everyone can agree that one of the most important parts that make – or break – a festival is its lineup of artists. And for emerging artists and bands, landing a spot at a major music festival can feel like catching lightning in a bottle.

But what exactly are festival organizers looking for?

The Beat Asia got the lowdown from leading Asian festival organizers themselves. The panel discussion, moderated by Jim Bacarro of Puddy Rock, brought together powerhouses in the Asian music festival scene: Cora Chan of Clockenflap, Johnnie Moylett of Fuji Rock Festival, Dewi Gontha of Java Jazz Festival, and Sarun “Top” Pinyarat of Maho Rasop Festival. They shared insider tips on how up-and-coming artists can increase their chances of making it to the festival stage.

Thanks to ASIYA Festival, these industry leaders got together and shared their insights for bands and artists looking to entertain tens – even hundreds – of thousands of festivalgoers. Take notes, everyone!

It’s All About the Live Performance

While streaming numbers and social media followings might seem important, festival organizers unanimously agree – nothing beats a compelling live performance. “It’s all about live performance, if they can entertain the audience,” Johnnie revealed. He added that when they evaluate artists, they weigh performance capability (60%) more heavily than musical content (40%).

For artists looking to catch their attention, the Fuji Rock organizer emphasized the importance of video content: “[Send us a] YouTube video of your live performance; [we’re looking for] something about the band that can grab attention.”

Well, what makes a performance stand out then? Johnnie noted that there are a lot of key factors, but he graciously provided two: “Are they good songwriters? Does the lead singer have charisma?”

Do Your Homework

One common mistake that emerging artists make is submitting applications without understanding the festival’s identity. “We get these submissions that feel like they don’t know our festival at all,” Top revealed. “Do your research, go through the past lineups [of the festivals].”

Cora of Clockenflap echoed this sentiment, adding that while they receive submissions from artists who are talented, sometimes “Clockenflap is just not the right home for them, but they’re really good.” Understanding a festival’s programming, ethos, and brand helps artists target the right opportunities and tailor their submissions accordingly.

Art of the Elevator Pitch

No, it’s not just for business opportunities. Organizers receive hundreds of pitches each week and while it might be tempting to compile everything you’ve got and send it to them in an attempt to show them your entire career, the experts say otherwise. Less is more.

“Sending 10 emails with the same material will not get you anywhere,” Dewi warned. Cora put it succinctly: “If Bill Gates could fit his whole career in one page, then so can you.”

Here are some key tips for crafting your submission:

1. Keep it concise and focused
2. “Pick your best performance video, just pick one,” advised Top.
3. Cora suggested including footage of audience reactions
4. Demonstrate your understanding of the festival
5. Highlight any relevant experience or recommendations

Start Small, Think Big

For artists without management or significant streaming numbers, the path to festival stages starts closer to home. “Conquer your own turf first, get club shows, start small, even just a 50 to 100 pax gig,” Top recommended.

Dewi emphasized the importance of professional representation: “Get a representative. If you think it’s an instant business, then you’re totally wrong.”

Cora, however, encouraged persistence, “The worst response you can get is ‘No’ or no reply.” So why not try anyway, right?

Still, the organizers agreed that getting representation can open a lot of doors. As with most industries, ‘what’ you know is just one part, and more often than not, it’s about ‘who’ you know that counts. Having people who can promote and make connections for you helps a lot, especially since it allows you to focus on your craft.

Making the Most of Festival Opportunities

Festivals, if you don’t already know, have dedicated spaces for up-and-coming talent. “We have ‘Showcase,’ for the newer artists, not the ‘money-makers,’ as they call it,” Top shared, which Dewi echoed as she said Java Jazz features “smaller stages for new talents.”

If you do land a festival gig, however, maximizing the opportunity is crucial. Johnnie advised: “Get good at the performance, play as often as you can everywhere. Get on social media, social networking [during the festival]. The main thing is to be a good live performer.”

Top stressed the networking potential of festivals: “If you get a chance to go to these international festivals, you’ll be in the bill with all these artists [from] all over the world, try to connect [with them].” He also underscored the importance of “learning from other artists, see the show, see the vibe.”

Understanding the Business

Festival programming involves multiple considerations. For Fuji Rock, the top two factors are financial viability and musical taste, with an emphasis on stylistic variety. Clockenflap’s planning strategy starts with securing headliners before filling out the rest of the lineup.

For newer artists, understanding this business aspect is crucial. Cora noted, “It’s a big investment for a band that’s starting out.” This reality check helps artists approach festivals with realistic expectations and proper preparation. As these organizers take a chance on you, so should you deliver. After all, thousands will be watching and listening – you better be ready!

The Festival Philosophy

At their core, music festivals are about creating memorable experiences. As one panelist noted, “Festivals [are] an entertainment business, success is based on the audience’s happiness. Best ambassadors are the players, the audience.”

This understanding should guide artists in their festival journey. Remember: it’s not just about getting on stage and performing your heart out – it’s also about contributing to the festival’s overall mission of delivering exceptional entertainment and fostering a music-loving community.

Key Takeaways You Should Keep in Mind

1. Perfect Your Live Show: Focus on putting on a compelling live performance with strong audience engagement. Haven’t you noticed how artists often have scripted sentences that “seemingly” transition them seamlessly from one song to another while also engaging the audience? Yeah, it’s scripted, but hey, it works! Don’t people scream their lungs out when they say this crowd’s the loudest they’ve heard in the entire tour?
2. Document Everything: Capture high-quality videos of your best performances, and don’t forget to include audience reactions.
3. Research Thoroughly: Study the festival’s past lineups, philosophy, branding, and identity before submitting your pitch. And make sure your pitches are concise!
4. Start Local: Build your following through small venues and local shows before targeting major festivals. Everyone’s got to start somewhere, right?
5. Network Effectively: Make meaningful connections within the industry and with fellow artists. It’s a tough industry to break into, like they said it’s not an instant business, but you might just make friends along the way.
6. Be Professional: Present yourself professionally in all communications with festival organizers.
7. Stay Persistent: Don’t be discouraged by rejections – use them as learning opportunities.

For budding artists, the path to festival stages is an uphill climb. It requires patience, preparation, and persistence. By understanding what festival organizers are looking for and approaching the opportunity professionally, bands can increase their chances of finally making it into the lineup.

But keep in mind that making it to the stage is just the start – how well you do from there may just determine the trajectory of your career.

Follow ASIYA Festival, Clockenflap Festival, Fuji Rock Festival, Java Jazz Festival, and Maho Rasop Festival on Instagram.

ICYMI: Jisoo and Seo In-guk were spotted filming something in Cebu earlier this February!

Netflix officially announced the production of upcoming romantic comedy series, “Boyfriend on Demand” (Working Title) on Feb. 20, 2025. BLACKPINK’s Jisoo and Seo In-guk will star in the drama together, which will be directed by Kim Jung-sik, who is known for his dramas “Work Later, Drink Now (2021),” “Strong Girl Namsoon (2023),” and “No Gain No Love (2024).” 

“Boyfriend on Demand” is set in a virtual reality, where people go through a subscription-based virtual dating simulation program, which continues in real life. 

Jisoo is set to play exhausted webtoon producer Seo Mi-rae, who longs for a second chance at love and suddenly receives a “Monthly Boyfriend” device that allows her to enter a virtual reality. There, she meets the boyfriends of her dreams and shakes up her world. 

Seo In-guk will play the role of Park Kyeong-nam, Mi-rae’s co-worker and rival. He’s capable and competent at work, but Mi-rae feels uneasy around him. He’s a character with surprising secrets, where despite his indifferent and cold demeanor, is sure to stir up emotions in Mi-rae. 

“Boyfriend on Demand” is set to stream on Netflix. More details about the drama will be revealed in the future.

For more information and updates on Netflix’s K-Content, follow their Facebook, X (Formerly Twitter), and Instagram pages!

WNBA star and Nike signature athlete Sabrina Ionescu is about to make history with her first-ever Asia tour, bringing her message of empowerment and strength to the next generation of basketball players. 

The New York Liberty Guard will be visiting the Philippines, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong starting Mar. 10, 2025, to connect with young hoopers and expand her influence within the global basketball community.

A trailblazer in her own right, Ionescu has redefined what’s possible for female athletes, becoming a role model and paving the way for young girls to follow their dreams in sports, and creating spaces where future stars can thrive, on and off the court.

In Manila, Sabrina’s tour kicks off with two youth basketball clinics, where she will share her expertise and inspire the next wave of Filipino players. She will also host a Nike retail takeover and debut her latest collaboration, the Nike Sabrina 2. 

The event culminates with an exciting evening of hoops at the iconic Araneta Coliseum, bringing basketball fans together for an unforgettable celebration of the sport.

Next, Sabrina will head to Guangzhou, China, where she will meet local athletes, visit some of the city’s most revered courts, host a community basketball camp for girls, and advise athletes on finding the right products at a Nike Rise retail store. 

Her tour will close in Hong Kong on Mar. 16, where she will immerse herself in the vibrant street basketball culture, visit schools, and motivate young female players at the Nike All Hong Kong Schools Jing Ying Basketball Tournament, a key event for aspiring athletes in the region.

For updates on the tour, visit Nike’s website, or follow Sabrina on Instagram and Facebook. 

Four years after mini series “The Falcon and The Winter Soldier," was released Anthony Mackie’s Captain America returns in a brand-new Marvel film that bridges the old and the new, ushering in a new era of superhero action. 

The Beat Asia attended the Philippine premiere of “Captain America: Brave New World” last Feb. 11, a day before it hits local theatres, making us one of the first in the world to witness Sam Wilson kick ass on the IMAX screen. Let’s face it, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has become more like a complex web than a timeline with all the Disney Plus series stacking up like pancakes. So, when the time came to return to the big screen, some fans may be taking their time to find their footing when navigating all the new information and characters expanded through these series. 

For this film, it’s better to have watched the mini series, but if you’re like some of us who last saw Sam Wilson way back in “Avengers: End Game” when Steve Rogers handed over the mantle of Captain America to him, that’s okay too! Marvel stalwarts might even appreciate this film for the fact that it follows in the footsteps of its predecessors, making it feel almost old-school. 

Keep reading to find out why. 

Captain America 4: What Went Down

Warning: Spoilers ahead! 

The movie starts with a newly-elected president Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford), whose office mantra centers on “togetherness,” promising to unite its citizens with the rest of the world. Cut scene to Mexico and we are at the center of a rescue mission led by Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie), who has officially taken the mantle of Captain America, and is now working alongside the government to retrieve a stolen package and hostages. 

Sam takes cues from his Air Force liaison, Joaquín Torres (Danny Ramirez), who guides him through the mission. Somewhere in the middle of the squabble, we also discover that Joaquín is preparing to step up as the new Falcon. 

After a successful mission, Sam visits Isaiah Bradley (Carl Lumbly), an African-American Korean War veteran and super soldier, to help train Joaquín. He also invites him to come to the White House as the president’s guest of honor but the ex-solider is reluctant, unable to understand why Sam is working for Ross in the first place knowing his dark past. Sam reasons that the people need to see Captain America as a symbol of hope, and his partnership with the government supports that. 

Come the night of the gala, President Ross talks to Sam about restarting the Avengers. He’s somewhat thrilled about the idea, but also curious as to why the president suggested it after tearing the Avengers down all those years ago. We are then brought to the main hall where Ross addresses the world leaders about a treaty regarding Celestial Island, where they found a new type of metal: Adamantium, which is reportedly stronger than Vibranium. We also learned that this was the content of the package Sam retrieved in Mexico. During his speech, Isaiah suddenly shoots at the president and chaos ensues. When Sam chases down Isaiah, the man is confused and unaware of himself going rogue. 

Sam gets in the middle of this international incident, which turns out to be part of a nefarious global plot that aims to pit two countries into going to war. While Ross seems to be struggling with his health, as shown through the mysterious white pills he’s been taking, Sam discovers a strange prisoner in Camp Echo One during his investigation: Dr. Samuel Sterns (Tim Blake Nelson), a serpent-like biologist who accidentally cross-contaminated with the blood of Bruce Banner (a.k.a. The Incredible Hulk) which gained him superhuman intelligence. Sam discovers that Sterns has been manipulating the minds of the people around them, using mind control through advanced brain study that is triggered through a song. The worst part is that Sterns was initially working for Ross but went rogue to get his revenge. 

Two countries’ fleets faced each other in the Indian Ocean after the Japanese prime minister discovered that the US had initially set up the theft of the Adamantium. Ross is blindsided, realizing that Sterns has been plotting against him all this time. Chaos ensues as pilots are mind-controlled to attack the Japanese fleets. Luckily, Sam and Joaquín were able to smooth things over, but the latter suffers severe injuries when he plummeted into the ocean. 

After Sterns’ plot failed, he had but one thing left in his arsenal which was President Ross and his inevitable transformation as we discovered his pills were infused with Gamma. After being bombarded by the press, Ross transforms into the Red Hulk and it’s up to Captain America to stop him. 

Old-School Marvel Returns: Action-Packed and Heartfelt

It’s been a long time coming for Sam Wilson to have his own movie. Anthony expressed his excitement during the press tour about stepping up as the new Captain America. 

“They told me I’d be Captain America five years ago, so I’ve just been biding my time waiting for this moment!” He shared in an interview with Game Rant. 

And we totally agree! We’re all aware of how much time, effort, and money goes into making a Marvel cinematic masterpiece, and the fourth Captain America franchise showed us that it is worth the wait. It embodies everything a Marvel movie should be: entertaining, fun, and heartfelt. In fact, we might even say it’s reminiscent of “old-school Marvel”—the movies from Phase One like “Iron Man,” “The Avengers,” and the inaugural Captain America film with Chris Evans. 

For loyal fans, this was a nostalgic experience considering the format of the film was exactly how a traditional Marvel film would be. There’s the set-up—the opening action scene, which in this case was the Adamantium rescue mission. Then it leads us deeper into the plot, building up the conflict until we reach an emotional climax, and then more fighting occurs before the hero finally prevails. It’s simple and direct, which Marvel has gotten down to a Science with its early films back when there were no aliens, no multiple timelines, and no expository backstories that dragged over several minutes of the film. You were simply given a tangible conflict that was solved through a series of investigations, epic battles, and yes, a sprinkle of scientific whatnot that gave this hero movie a supernatural kick. 

However, it does take away its unique aspect as there were no narrative risks or plot twists. It’s not a showstopper feature like “Avengers: Endgame” or “Black Panther,” but we believe the film made up for it with its concept and character, and how it explored a regular man stepping into a role that was once held up by a “super solider”—or someone who had taken the serum that made Steve Rogers, well, practically superhuman. 

One of our favorite moments was when Sam and Bucky had a little heart-to-heart talk as the former was brooding over Joaquín’s injury and how he felt like he could never live up to Steve, someone who led well and made sure nobody got hurt. We believe the film explored Sam’s character quite well, and succeeded in describing the struggles and pressure of transitioning from someone who had supported Captain America to becoming a leader himself. We felt for Sam when he opened up about his regrets about not taking the serum, and his belief that he’s somewhat a weaker version of Captain America, but Bucky said something to him that truly stuck with us: 

“Steve gave them something to believe in. You gave them something to aspire to.”

This is where we thought the story came full-circle, and described Sam’s character and role in the franchise. It showed us that Sam Wilson is just a regular man who fell into great situation, who was given a chance to save people. He has no super strength nor is he indestructible, so he never relied on brute force in his battles. We believe that makes him a smarter and better fighter. It’s only logical that they gave him an antagonist that made use of intellectual science. Sam was simply a good man who thinks first before punching someone's face. 

Visually, the movie is spectacular as expected of a film produced by a massive studio. Marvel gets the best in the industry from the visual and sound effects down to camera and production people. There’s no doubt the film deserves high marks in the technical category. Those action sequences? Absolutely mind blowing! We love a good hand-to-hand combat scene that keeps us on the edge of our seats, and the film was generous in that department. 

Anthony Mackie had always been amazing as the Falcon, but him being Captain America was downright brilliant. He gave this character more humor, and his chemistry with Joaquín Torres was endearing. It reminded us of a mentor-student relationship akin to Tony Stark and Tom Holland’s Spiderman. 

We also thought Harrison Ford made a great antagonist as he made his MCU debut as “Thunderbolt” a.k.a. The Red Hulk. It was fitting considering the character isn’t someone who is downright evil, but also human and very much driven by emotions. The film needed a man who could be a president, a monster, and also a father—as Ross was very much clear on his intent to change his ways throughout the film in the hopes of reconciling with his estranged daughter, Betty Ross. And yes, Liv Tyler returned for a short cameo which got everyone excited! 

We also have to note how diverse this cast was, and especially loved seeing more women step up into action roles. We met Ruth Bat-Seraph played by Shira Haas, a former black widow and the president’s security advisor, as well as secret service agent Leila Taylor whose also Cap’s eyes in the White House played by Xosha Roquemore. 

Final Verdict

Although it failed to give us a unique conflict, “Captain America: Brave New World” was meant to serve as a bridge between the old and the new. It’s meant to embody that familiar Marvel formula in order to introduce new characters, new antagonists, and new worlds. 

If you’re a fan of Marvel's Phase One and Two films, you’re going to love this. It’s definitely a great addition to the roster, one that humanizes both heroes and villains, upping its relatability factor and making it a more enjoyable and grounding experience for audiences. It’s been confirmed that Captain America will be back in the MCU, so we can’t wait to see how Anthony Mackie plans to develop his character in later films. 

So, yes. Suit up and watch it at a cinema near you! “Captain America: Brave New World” is now showing in the Philippines, and the rest of the world on Valentine’s Day!

WeTV has taken things up a notch with the release of CHUANG Asia Season 2, the sixth installment to the CHUANG franchise, the idol survival series originally based in China, and the second to the CHUANG Asia series, following CHUANG Asia Thailand. 

If you’re into idol survival shows, this one’s definitely on your radar. On Dec. 30, 2025, a teaser trailer for the new season dropped, and the trainees of CHUANG Asia: Season 2 performed at the Amazing Thailand Countdown 2025 event at Iconsiam in Bangkok.

This season, the stakes are even higher, boasting an impressive lineup of mentors, including Xu Minghao (THE 8), BamBam, Jeff Satur, Tia Ray, and beloved Thai actress Yaya Urassaya Sperbund.

Together, they will guide the trainees in singing, dancing, rapping, and acting, shaping them into a debut-ready international boy group poised to make waves in the Asian entertainment industry.

The show’s previous success underscores its growing influence, with the Grand Debut Night of Season 1 achieving over 2.5 billion views and 500 million votes on the WeTV app. And let’s not forget Gen1es, the girl group that debuted after Season 1, whose popularity continues to thrive under RYCE Entertainment. 

CHUANG Asia Season 2 is airing every Sunday at 4:50 PM. Viewers can watch the TV version on Channel 3 and the full version via the WeTV app here.

For more information, visit CHUANG Asia on their Facebook and Instagram.

It’s confirmed! Hit reality dating show “Single’s Inferno” will continue to sizzle our screens with some aura and chemistry with a fifth season. 

Netflix announced the news on Feb. 13, 2025, shortly after the finale episodes of the reality show’s fourth season, saying that production is already well underway. 

“Since its debut, each season has captured international attention, consistently ranking in the Global Top 10 Non-English Series list,” said Netflix in their announcement. 

“The first season made history as the first Korean unscripted show to break into the Global Top 10. Building on this momentum, Season 2 amassed over 65 million viewing hours, staying in the Top 10 for four weeks. Season 3 took the show’s popularity to new heights with groundbreaking twists, holding its place in the charts for five consecutive weeks. Season 4 continued the trend, offering a raw and honest look at the singles, achieving the highest first-week viewership in the franchise, and sparking lively discussions online.”

“Single’s Inferno” is a South Korean reality dating show that takes inspiration from survival shows and mixes it with the “idea of fighting for their intended love interest.” Participants, consisting of 12 singles (six men and women), are left on an island (Inferno) to find their love through challenges, with the mission to leave with their love interest to spend a romantic night in Paradise. 

Contestants can only go to Paradise if the person they choose also chooses them. 

“Single’s Inferno” is hosted by model Hong Jin-kyung, actress Lee Da-hee, Super Junior’s Kyuhyun, rapper Hanhae, and YouTuber/S2 Cast Member Dex. “Their sharp-witted commentary and enjoyable chemistry add another layer of entertainment,” said Netflix. 

Producers Kim Jae-won, Kim Jung-hyun, and Park Suji all expressed their gratitude to viewers: “We’ve made it to Season 5 thanks to the immense love and support from our viewers,” and teased that the new season will be “filled with new excitement and romance.”

The fourth season of “Single’s Inferno” premiered on Jan. 14, 2025, with its final episode airing on Feb. 11, 2025. Watch "Single's Inferno" on Netflix.

For more information and updates on anything Netflix-related, follow their Facebook, X (Formerly Twitter), and Instagram pages!