Music Matters 2013 is back again! Kicking off May 20, it will be a mega event spanning over five days. Starting proper will be the series of conferences at the Digital and Music Matters event held at The Ritz-Carlton Millenia Singapore. This year’s line-up of speakers look as impressive as ever. Featuring prominent individuals such as inspirational singer Gurrumul Yunupingu from Australia, Johnny Wright, manager of Justin Timberlake, Untitled Asia and Clockenflap’s music director Justin Sweeting, YouTube star Ryan Higa and even cool lady, Amanda Palmer will be making an appearance. With their pool of knowledge and experience, it will be quite an enriching session.

But most of all, the pinnacle of the Music Matters week is the live music performances that will be happening around Clarke Quay for three nights. You’ll find the most international and diverse line-up any festival in Singapore has seen. Music Matters Live with HP will feature over 60 bands from more than 19 countries, performing over 160 shows in 8 venues around Clarke Quay. And you know the drill, it’s all free!

As Music Matters Live supports underground talent and is a discovery platform for new music, there’ll be some names you won’t be familiar with. That’s okay, we’ll help you sort out your quandaries and direct you to a few acts you ought to catch. Hopefully this will make it easier for you to decide on which show you’ll be at on May 22-24! And now, for some globetrotting activities:

On the international palate, we have electro-powerpop outfit Pony Pony Run Run from France with their infectious and dancefloor friendly tunes. Joining the party is also Little Boots (if you remember 2009 mega-hit “Remedy”) from the UK who’ll keep to the theme of electropop dance music. NYC represent as we welcome The London Souls who will be bringing some serious rock with a dash of soul, if electropop is not to your fancy.

The London Souls

Nearer to us in the Asia Pacific, from Brisbane, Australia is 5-piece indiepop band Cub Scouts. Their energetic feel-good vibes will definitely rub off on all of you, but first, check out their colourful videos. On a different level, folk musician Gurrumul Yunupingu will be gracing some venues around Clarke Quay. His voice has been described as having ‘transcendental beauty’ and Elton John, Sting and the Queen are among his fans – make sure you don’t miss out on this one!

Around the region, Music Matters Live will be featuring acts from Hong Kong, Malaysia, Taiwan, Myanmar to name a few. If you’re curious about music from Myanmar, hip-hop and pop group Me N Ma Girls have been pushing boundaries in conservative Myanmar with their girl-power brand of music. While we’re on the theme of pushing boundaries, check out experimental trio Guntzepaula from Taiwan who are electrifying with just a set of drums, a guitar and a bass. Singer-songwriter types Carlos Castano (Philippines) and Guba (Malaysia) will also be on hand to share their storytelling brand of music. 

Me N Ma Girls

On the home frontier, Electrico will be back after a two year hiatus and with new material and a new line-up. Performing at the coveted event will also be the exciting Kevin Lester who recently dropped his new EP. Celebrating both old and new, Music Matters Live will feature established band The Observatory and the mesmerising up-and-comer These Brittle Bones. 

These Brittle Bones (photo credit: Shaun Tan)

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Stick around for the full Music Matters Live 2013 schedule! 

Click here for more information on the conference.