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Why do some cities become dream destinations for music lovers? The answer may not lie in hosting major concerts throughout the year, but in the way music becomes an integral part of daily life. Music is a vital force that fosters communities, strengthens cultural identity and drives the city's creative economy. This is the core idea behind the concept of a ‘Music City’.
Enter Bangkok Music City – the city’s defining music event. Not quite a music festival, not quite a concert, it’s a chance for the city to serve up a huge artist showcase, packed with networking opportunities that allows emerging artists to meet with music industry leaders, record labels, producers and other professionals, both in Thailand and abroad. Guided by the idea of ‘Discover Asian Music’s Future,’ the event highlights the potential of Asian artists and positions them for the global stage.
The event also features a speaking panel and music conference that bring together music industry professionals to share experiences, discuss current trends and network. These activities serve as an important pillar in developing and elevating Thai music to a global level.
So here is the first wave:
The Thai names
The homegrown side gathers a batch of rising local acts: Apichat Pakwan, ‘BANK’ SORNRAM, DharmaDance, GYMV, JPBS, Mongkol, Montonn Jira, Réjizz, Sounds of Future Siam and srwks. The one plenty of people clock first is Montonn Jira, a Bangkok producer and one of the founders of Wonderfruit, who moves between glowing folktronica and minimal techno and has credits on the likes of Slot Machine and Hugo.
And the ones flying in
Aurus (Réunion)
Aurus is the solo project of Bastien Picot, from the French island of Réunion out in the Indian Ocean. He builds his songs on maloya, the percussion-and-voice music that enslaved people created in Réunion's cane and cotton fields, then runs it through synths and electronics, singing in both Creole and English over the kayamb and rouler. His track 'Kuhu' has become a queer anthem back home, and his live show has reached stages as far as WOMADelaide.
Grrrl Gang (Indonesia)
Over in Yogyakarta, Grrrl Gang are an indie pop trio who met at university in 2016 and write sharp, funny songs about feminism, mental health and messy relationships. Their debut album Spunky! came out on Kill Rock Stars, the Washington label behind Bikini Kill, which tells you plenty about the punk streak under the sweet hooks. Singles such as 'Pop Princess' get a whole room singing along within seconds.
KAGAMI (Netherlands)
KAGAMI are a Dutch cosmic-funk duo, Lucas Sim and Rotem Gerad, who take 1980s Japanese city pop and French touch disco and make it work on a dance floor. Live, they stack synths, vocoders and DJing, and they have racked up 2.5 million streams along with a following across Japan, Taiwan and Korea. They have also played North Sea Jazz and sold out Paradiso in Amsterdam.
Mitsune (Japan and Germany)
Mitsune are a Berlin band led by a trio of women playing the tsugaru shamisen, a three-string Japanese lute once carried by travelling street musicians. They rework old Japanese folk songs and write their own, wrapping the shamisen in psychedelia, jazz and a bit of punk, with big group vocals and elaborate costumes to match. They have toured Europe, the UK and Canada and recorded a live session for KEXP.
Mỹ Anh (Vietnam)
Mỹ Anh is a Hanoi singer, songwriter and producer, and the daughter of Mỹ Linh, referred to as the queen of Vietnamese R&B. She makes her own take on alternative R&B and soul, and she has performed at 88rising's Head in the Clouds, appeared on a Spotify billboard in Times Square and released her debut album Em in early 2024.
The Colors (Mongolia)
The Colors are one of Mongolia's best-loved indie bands, out of Ulaanbaatar, and their sunny, upbeat pop-rock sounds nothing like the cold winters of the capital. They have been going since around 2010 and played SXSW in Texas back in 2019, and their single 'Light Within' is the obvious place to start.
The Filters (Malaysia)
The Filters, a four-piece from Kuala Lumpur, call what they do 'fractional math rock', all tricky time signatures and knotty guitar lines with synth pop and jazz threaded through. Their album Exhaler digs around in some genuinely dark territory, and NME nominated them for Best New Asian Act in 2022.
According to ‘The Mastering of a Music City’ report by IFPI and Music Canada, a Music City isn’t established solely from the number of musicians it produces. It must also have the space for artists to express themselves, audiences that are willing to actively support and businesses associated with the music industry that can grow together. Equally as important is the ability to attract visitors that seek musical experiences to generate income for local businesses like hotels, restaurants and other tourism-related services.
Evidence of this was on full display this past January, where the first iteration of Bangkok Music City brought together more than 86 Thai and international artists to perform in Charoen Krung, with free admission for the public.
The event transformed this creative district into a vibrant space filled with music, people and an atmosphere that truly reflects the spirit of a creative city.
Bangkok Music City 2027 has officially announced its return, along with an open call for artists from Thailand and around the world to take part in the festival. Thai artists can apply from July 6 to September 6, 2026, while international artists are invited to submit their applications between July 6 and August 13, 2026.
The location has yet to be announced, but more details and updates can be found at Bangkok Music City, taking place January 30-31, 2027.