The 10 Malaysian bands you need to know

Moutou, since its establishment, has fast become the pounding heart of Kuala Lumpur’s creative do-it-yourself scene. Its location adds to its myth, perched on the top floor and rooftop of a pre-war shophouse on Jalan Panggong, formerly Theatre Street, one of the oldest roads in the city. An artist-run space, there’s a this-is-about-the-arts energy about Moutou. Most nights, expect everything from ambient to punk to psychedelic rock. Beyond live bands and performers, it also hosts DJs spinning emo and electronic, art exhibitions, film screenings, talks, and workshops. Come as you are.

Jao Tim – Cantonese for ‘hotel’ – is housed on the top floor of a heritage shop lot in Chinatown that was once a hotel constructed in 1910, with exposed brick walls, stairs, and high ceiling still intact a hundred years later. In post-pandemic years, it has filled the No Black Tie-shaped hole in the Malaysian jazz scene. It has a capacity for up to 100 people who pack the stylish space for jazz acts and jam sessions, whether you’re a jazz aficionado or simply want to experience sounds of the improvised variety; and even swing classes. There’s a food and drinks menu, plus cocktails, wines and beer.

If you’re, ahem, serious about music, you’ll know fono better than your own living room (though it’s possible that fono itself isn’t much bigger than your own living room). It calls itself “a listening room” for music curation, and since its opening in early ’18, has been host to live acts playing everything from intimate, stripped-down sets to psychedelic rock; audio-visual performances; and DJs spinning feel-good disco, funky boogie, experimental electronic and more. There’s a bar with a tight menu of beverages to keep you going. Pro tip: Book your spot ahead of an event as capacity is limited.

On Jalan Mesui, one of Changkat’s busiest streets, Pisco is a casual restobar to anchor any evening. For locals and visitors alike, it’s a go-to with great tapas and tacos, cocktails, wines and happy hour too, and a live band or a party after dinner and drinks wrap up. DJs own it on weekends with most of the action happening upstairs where there’s also a reliable bar (be warned: the Long Island iced tea is as strong as they come), but Thursdays are for live music and lots of dancing.

Ask anyone. Rumah Api (literal translation: house of fire) is the home of do-it-yourself punk in the city. The all-ages collective-run alternative space has a rich history that, until ’18, was housed in an actual shophouse in Pekan Ampang. (Along with other century-old shophouses and mom-and-pop businesses spanning generations, it was demolished to make way for the Sungai Besi-Ulu Kelang Elevated Expressway (SUKE) project. Some say that’s the price for progress.) Since then, Rumah Api has relocated to a smaller top floor unit in Pandan Indah but the spirit — or the fire? — of the house lives on. 

Rumah Api has hosted some of the best punk acts in the region and all around the world. Most weekends (and even some weeknights), catch emerging bands or living legends in the room, likely crowd-surfing between sets.

In Desa Sri Hartamas, this spot has understated interiors with a set-up that has hosted a number of emerging and established local independent acts. Some nights see folk, psychedelic, and math rockers taking to the stage; r’n’b singer-songwriters; poets performing spoken word; DJs and emcees spinning emo tunes, drum and bass, jungle and more. Drum Asia Live also doubles as a jamming studio with reasonable rates, considering its atas location.

Zepp, since its opening in early ’22, has fast become one of the city’s best mid-sized live music venues. A subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc., Zepp is operated by the Japanese group Zepp Hall Network Inc. and features a standing area, stadium seating arrangement, and VIP boxes, alongside state-of-the-art audio-visual technology. Its 2500-pax capacity hall has hosted international acts the likes of Cigarettes After Sex, Honne, Jack White, Lany, and Rex Orange County, plus local and regional artists Japan’s Babymetal, Malaysia’s Dolla, and Indonesia’s Pamungkas.

Taps Beer Bar isn’t just one of the city’s best craft beer bars. It’s also a mainstay of Kuala Lumpur’s live music scene, hosting acoustic performers and singer-songwriters from Thursday to Sunday nights. Sip on craft beers and sing along to covers.