The Top 10 Best Live Concerts We Saw in 2023

By Dale B  •  12 Dec 2023 in Features

Thirsty for JUICE content? Quench your cravings on our Instagram, TikTok and WhatsApp

2023 has been a great year for concerts in Malaysia and across Southeast Asia, whether it is a full-on festival or a dedicated concert, music fans had a lot to be excited about. 

So while JUICE covered a great deal of concerts, it was a shame that we had to miss out on the likes of BLACKPINK, Coldplay, and Phoebe Bridgers. 

Even the notorious Matt Healy incident, which led to the entire cancellation of the  Good Vibes Festival (GVF) 2023 in Malaysia, didn’t entirely blemish our concert-going experience. 

Without further ado, here are the top 10 live acts JUICE saw this year.

10. Red Hot Chili Peppers

The Californian cohorts have made a massive impact on the world of music, and there’s no denying that Red Hot Chili Peppers are getting pretty old. That said, the seasoned rockers still managed to perform their biggest hits like they used to and that’s all we needed.

9. Otoboke Beaver

This is one band that needs to be seen to be believed. Punk at its purest and rawest form, Otoboke Beaver was loud and wild, which is a rare sight these days. Japan’s music scene will always be a great palette cleanser to the usual Western acts we enjoy.

8. Sabrina Carpenter

Thankfully before GVF got shut down, we got to enjoy the majesty that is Sabrina Carpenter. In less than an hour, Carpenter was able to captivate audiences with her charming on-stage persona and effortless playing.

7. Mew

We will freely admit that Mew isn’t the easiest band to get into, with the Danish group’s eclectic mix of space and prog rock not being everyone’s cup of tea. But once you see them pull it off live, it is a real sight and sound to behold.

6. Fleet Foxes 

Despite missing their lead guitarist for their Joyland show, Fleet Foxes elevated their sound with the inclusion of a horn section. Their folksy harmonies were still soothing, but this new dimension changed how their songs were played live to great effect.

5. Muse

In the aftermath of The 1975’s outburst, Muse was there to ensure that live concerts were here to stay in Malaysia. The British band did so in their usual epic sound, complete with stunning visuals and pyrotechnics.

4. Interpol

There is no cooler band on this list than Interpol, who stepped on stage and played all their post-punk hits without breaking a sweat. Closing this year’s Joyland Festival, Interpol brought the house down in spectacular fashion.

3. Alvvays

Hot off the heels of the release of their third album last year, Alvvays has cemented themselves as the premier dream pop band of the last decade. Threading the line between joyful and melancholy, Alvvays was true musical catharsis.

2. Phoenix 

Somehow, Phoenix will always feel underrated in the grand landscape of indie pop music, but go to one of their shows and you’ll see firsthand how much of a powerhouse this band is. Sublime and timeless, Phoenix surprisingly has a lot up their sleeves for fans.

1. The Strokes

The Strokes playing in Southeast Asia has been a long time coming, and they truly did not disappoint. There’s a reason why they are so revered, and seeing them twice in a row this year showed how much The Strokes has mastered their craft to the highest degree.

Honourable Mentions: The Beths, Fazerdaze, Last Dinosaurs

Last Dinosaurs are an indie staple at this point, and they’ve frequented Southeast Asia more than enough for us to say that they have perfected their craft. 

As for The Beths and Fazerdaze, we can’t wait to see them evolve their sound, and the fact that we saw these two half-Indonesian lead singers celebrated in Jakarta was also a major treat.