Music News Asia

28/11/2025

✨ Asia's Music, Culture & Creative Future — Follow the Story With Us ✨

Every day, we uncover the pulse of Asia’s music and creative industries — from groundbreaking artists and festivals, to policy, tech innovation, and the cultural shifts shaping the region. If you want to know what’s moving talent, markets, platforms, and ideas across Asia and the world, you’re in the right place.

🎧 Artist spotlights
🎼 Industry trends & data
🌏 Cross-cultural movement and diplomacy
📍 Festivals, expos & global tours
⚡ Tech, AI & creative business insight

Whether you’re here as a listener, a creator, an academic, or part of the global industry — follow us to stay connected to stories that matter, spark discussion, and document this region’s evolving creative power.

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Asia’s music scene is global — and we’re telling its story every day.
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28/11/2025

🎵 Hanoi & Phu Tho are about to pulse with sound.
Nearly 300 musicians from Asia + Europe are gathering in Vietnam for one of the region’s most exciting contemporary music festivals — a celebration of new compositions, symphonic power, and East-West collaboration.

From Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra’s opening night to chamber showcases, orchestral masterclasses and cross-cultural performances featuring artists from Germany, Japan, Russia, Spain, Tatarstan & more — this is a festival rewriting what modern music exchange looks like.

📍 Nov 27 – Dec 1, 2025
📍 Hanoi & Phu Tho, Vietnam

Music Press Asia brings you the full story, performance highlights & why this festival matters for regional music development.
➡️ Read more here: [https://www.musicpressasia.com/2025/11/26/vietnam-opens-the-4th-asia-europe-new-music-festival-in-hanoi-phu-tho/]

The 4th Asia–Europe New Music Festival returns to Hanoi & Phu Tho with 300 artists, symphonic concerts, cultural exchange....

26/11/2025

Coming to you this December. Register for tickets today.

15/10/2025

🎶 Music of the Month: Putumayo’s Instrumental Odyssey 🌍✨

At Music Press Asia, we’re celebrating world music in all its colours, flavours, and creative depth — and this month, our spotlight shines on Putumayo’s latest album, Instrumental Odyssey.

This remarkable collection takes listeners on a global journey through rhythm and melody — from Latin American guitar lines and European accordions to soulful sitar patterns and jazz-inflected horns. Each track reminds us that even without words, music has the power to speak across cultures, time, and emotion.

💬 “Putumayo’s sound celebrates peace by opening us all to how diversity is power and unity — not divide people — which is the truest essence of the aim of music.”
— Monica Tong, Head of Asia Editorial, Music Press Asia

👉 Read the full story on how Putumayo continues its legacy of global connection through music — and why Instrumental Odyssey deserves a place in your playlist:
🔗 https://www.musicpressasia.com/2025/10/15/music-of-the-month-instrumental-odyssey-by-putumayo/

Music Press Asia spotlights Putumayo’s Instrumental Odyssey, a global collection of instrumental tracks from Latin America, Asia, Europe...

10/10/2025

🌍🎶 Farewell to an Era: Putumayo World Music Goes Fully Digital 🎶🌍

After over 30 years of bringing the world together through sound, Putumayo World Music — the label behind hundreds of global music compilations — is officially saying goodbye to CDs. 💿✨

Founded by Dan Storper, Putumayo shaped how the world discovered culture through melody, rhythm, and art. Now, as it transitions into the digital era, the label will continue releasing two new albums every month via Bandcamp and streaming platforms.

In her reflection, Monica Tong, Head of Asia Editorial at Music Press Asia, shared:

“Putumayo’s sound celebrates peace by opening us all to how diversity is power — not division. It reminds us that music’s truest essence is to connect, not separate.”

Read the full story about Putumayo’s legacy, digital transformation, and Dan Storper’s lasting vision on 👉
Https://www.musicpressasia.com/2025/10/09/putumayo-world-music-says-farewell-to-cd-era-embraces-digital-future/

Music Press Asia/News: Putumayo World Music ends its CD era and embraces a digital future, continuing Dan Storper’s legacy....

09/10/2025

🎶 Voices of Unity Rise in Mauritius! 🌍✨

From Africa to the Asia Pacific, hundreds of voices came together this week in Mauritius for the African Asia Pacific Choir Games, a dazzling celebration of harmony, culture, and connection! 🇲🇺🎤

Organised by INTERKULTUR, the event brought together choirs from around the world—each one proving that music truly knows no borders. 🌏💫

Meet the incredible performers, judges, and supporters who made this musical journey unforgettable — and discover how this small island nation became the beating heart of a global choral celebration. 🎵❤️

👉 Read the full story on Music Press Asia:
https://www.musicpressasia.com/2025/10/02/voices-of-unity-mauritius-hosts-the-african-asia-pacific-choir-games/

Mauritius hosted the African Asia Pacific Choir Games 2025, uniting choirs from 14 countries in a celebration of culture, competition...

07/10/2025

🌏 Asia-Pacific is tuning up for its biggest performance yet.

From AI-driven innovation to powerful streaming audiences, Asia’s music economy is no longer waiting in the wings — it’s taking center stage.

In our latest feature, Music Press Asia explores how the region’s creative industries are redefining the global music balance — and why the next decade may finally belong to Asia.

🎶 Read more: https://www.musicpressasia.com/2025/10/07/the-unequal-pie-how-ai-and-tech-are-redrawing-the-global-music-economy-between-the-u-s-and-asia-pacific/

Explore how AI and technology are reshaping the global music economy — and why Asia-Pacific’s growth... Author: Monica Tong

30/09/2025

🎧✨ 9 Must-Listen Podcasts on Music, Culture, and Arts in Asia ✨🎧

Looking for fresh stories, deep dives, and unique voices from Asia’s vibrant music and arts scene? 🌏 From industry insights to cultural narratives, we’ve curated a list of podcasts you won’t want to miss.

Whether you’re a curious listener, an artist, or simply love exploring culture through sound—these shows are your gateway to Asia’s creative pulse. 🎶🎨

👉 Read the full list here:
https://www.musicpressasia.com/2025/09/28/9-must-listen-podcasts-on-music-culture-and-arts-in-asia/

Discover 10 must-listen English-language podcasts on music, arts, and culture in Asia, from Southeast Asia to South Asia’s vibrant creative

25/09/2025

🌏✨ This Week in Music at Music Press Asia ✨🌏

From glitzy award nights to seaside festivals—Asia’s music scene is buzzing! 🎶

🏆 The Fact Music Awards 2025 crowned its Daesang winners in Macau, with Stray Kids, aespa, IVE, and ENHYPEN taking the spotlight.

🎵 Hear Here Music Festival is set to light up Hengchun, Taiwan, bringing world-class wind ensembles and local talent together this coming season.

And that’s just the beginning—stay tuned for more news, stories, and insights shaping Asia’s music and entertainment industry.

👉 Catch the full updates now on Music Press Asia

04/09/2025

🌏 Tomorrowland Comes to Thailand: A 5-Year Cultural & Tourism Boost for ASEAN 🎶

Thailand has just made history: Tomorrowland, one of the world’s most iconic electronic music festivals, will debut in Asia for the very first time in December 2026 — and Bangkok will be its home for the next five years.

This move marks a major win not only for Thailand but also for the ASEAN region, as the festival brings global attention to Southeast Asia’s growing music and cultural tourism sector.

💡 Why Thailand?
With its world-class hospitality, unique cultural heritage, and reputation as a top tourist destination, Thailand offers the perfect backdrop for Tomorrowland’s immersive storytelling and spectacular stage designs. Its central location in Asia also makes it highly accessible for fans traveling from across the region.

🎵 What It Means for Music Tourism
Southeast Asia has one of the largest youth populations in the world, with millions of fans hungry for international live music experiences. Tomorrowland’s arrival will not only attract first-time festivalgoers but also establish Thailand as a hub for large-scale cultural events. Industry experts project that audiences could start at 50,000 in 2026 and grow steadily if the festival delivers on its promise.

📉 Challenges Ahead
Thailand recently reported a 6% decline in tourists, raising questions about spending power, inflation, and higher travel taxes. Yet analysts believe the magnetism of Thai culture, food, and hospitality will keep young festivalgoers undeterred. The country’s ability to host an event of this scale will also sharpen competition with other regional tourism players like Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia — ultimately raising ASEAN’s cultural profile on the world stage.

🌟 More Than Just Music
Tomorrowland isn’t just a festival; it’s a global cultural movement. From breathtaking stage design to camping adventures and fashion statements, it creates a full lifestyle experience. Thailand’s hosting of Tomorrowland signals that ASEAN nations are ready to step into the global spotlight, blending heritage, creativity, and economic opportunity.

👉 What do you think: Is Southeast Asia ready to embrace Tomorrowland? Have you been to a festival like this before?

🔗 Read the full article on Music Press Asia: https://www.musicpressasia.com/2025/09/04/tomorrowland-comes-to-asia-why-bangkok-secured-a-five-year-deal/

News/ Music:Tomorrowland’s five-year run in Bangkok marks ASEAN’s rise in cultural tourism, boosting Thailand’s soft power and regional unity.

28/08/2025

🌏 Asia is shaping the future of the music business.
Here are the Top 5 Rising Music Markets you should watch in 2025:

China 🇨🇳 - China’s recorded music revenues exceeded US$1 billion in 2024, driven by a staggering number of paying subscribers (around 200 million) and a vibrant digital ecosystem. This boom underscores China’s role in transforming Asia into a powerhouse of monetized music consumption.

India 🇮🇳 - India’s live entertainment sector is soaring with 27,000 live events year-to-date—an astonishing 35% increase from last year—while music royalty collections surged 42% year-on-year, signalling a seismic shift in both consumption and monetization across the industry.

Indonesia 🇮🇩 - Indonesia
Indonesia’s creative industry rose from IDR 1.19 trillion in 2021 to IDR 1.3 trillion in 2023, reflecting steady momentum in music, film, and digital content. Meanwhile, its digital music market is projected to grow by 5.5% in 2025—highlighting the nation’s expanding streaming culture.

South Korea 🇰🇷 - Cultural exports—including music, film, and broadcasting—rose to US $13.6 billion in 2024, with music contributing a 51.5% increase to US $1.85 billion, underscoring the industry’s global economic influence.

Vietnam 🇻🇳 - Vietnam’s digital music streaming revenue is projected at US $40 million in 2024, ranking it 7th in Southeast Asia and illustrating rapid uptake of online music platforms.
From streaming dominance to live events, Asia is rewriting the global music story. 🎶

👉 Read more insights at Music Press Asia.
www.musicpressasia.com

26/08/2025

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