KL Sing Song 2025: 20 Years of Heart & Harmony at Merdekarya

By Danial Martinus  •  26 Jun 2025 in Events

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It’s been 20 years since KL Sing Song first strummed its way into the Malaysian music scene. And in 2025, it’s making a triumphant return where it belongs: among kindred spirits and passionate voices, this time at Merdekarya.

If you’ve ever sat in a dimly lit room, drink in hand, watching a singer-songwriter bare their soul to a quiet crowd, this comeback is for you.

More than a gig series; it’s a movement

Started in 2005 by Jerome Kugan, Tan Sei Hon, and Azmyl Yunor under the banner ‘Troubadours KL’, KL Sing Song wasn’t just a gig series, it was a movement.

Back when the idea of original Malaysian music felt like an uphill battle, they carved out a space for honesty, experimentation, and that elusive, unfiltered magic of the songwriter’s round. Think: a handful of artists on stage, trading songs and stories, feeding off each other’s energy.

No ego, no gimmicks. Just pure connection.

Running strong until 2009, the showcase was a springboard for countless names, including the likes of Yuna, who performed before breaking into the US market.

But more than a list of alumni, KL Sing Song was (and still is) about community. And in a music scene that’s constantly evolving but not always documenting, its 20th anniversary arrives like a much-needed time capsule and reunion.

“2025 marks the 20th anniversary of KL Sing Song and it’s an opportunity to bridge the generational gap between the trailblazers and the current crop of singer-songwriters,” says Azmyl, who’s been a cornerstone of the scene for decades.

“This is one of the major problems in the local independent music circuit—the lack of continuity and knowledge between generations of performers, due to the lack of any documentation or archival material for subsequent generations to understand what came before.”

That’s where Merdekarya comes in. It’s only fitting that the indie venue, arguably the most consistent platform for original Malaysian music in the past decade, plays host to this three-part anniversary series.

Taking place in June, July, and August, each show will feature six singer-songwriters performing in that beloved songwriter’s round format, fusing past and present.

The first of the three gigs kicks off with a bang: KL Sing Song founders Jerome, Tan Sei Hon, and Azmyl will share the stage with alumni Bihzhu, Karen Nunis, and Mei Chern. It’s a powerful reminder of how far the scene’s come, and how vital it is to keep these voices in the mix.

Later instalments promise a blend of stalwarts and fresh faces: Melina William, Reza Salleh, Amrita Soon, Panda Head Curry?, Umar Akmal, Bumi Liar, Otam, Markiza, Kien Lim, and more will bring their distinct flavours to the stage.

It’s the kind of lineup that reads like a love letter to the Klang Valley’s underground: diverse, daring, and deeply Malaysian.

In a nod to KL Sing Song’s roots in grassroots collaboration, local indie collective Kumandang Zine is joining as a media partner—proof that the DIY spirit lives on.

And while the concerts are the centrepiece, the real magic lies in what they represent: the continuity of a scene built on passion and perseverance.

Whether you’re an old fan who remembers the days at KLPAC and No Black Tie, or a newcomer soaking in Merdekarya’s warmth for the first time, this celebration is more than a throwback—it’s a reawakening.

After all, in a world that often forgets its quietest voices, KL Sing Song is a reminder that singer-songwriters have always been the heart of the story. And their song, thankfully, plays on.

Catch Series 1 first. Here are the details:

Location
Merdekarya
352 First Floor,
Jalan 5/57,
Bukit Gasing,
46000 Petaling Jaya,
Selangor, Malaysia

Date & Time
28 June 2025, 9 p.m. to 11.50 p.m.

Get your tickets here.

For more events, head to JUICE Malaysia.