It can be a challenge for expats to find a decent gig here in KL… to listen to some blues or to head bang on some electric guitar riffs but here are some recommendations of a few great spots for your friendly neighbourhood live music venues.
1. The Bee
Situated in the corner spot of artsy shopping mall Publika, The Bee has featured an impressive array of local and international bands, including Last Dinosaurs, The Vaccines, Grimes, Lucy Rose, Bassment Syndicate, Elvira Arul, and more, thanks to Upfront and Lot 36. This live music scene has a grunge or vintage feeling once you walk in, with series of artifacts hanging around, used as decoration to complement the wide range of music genres showcased here – from indie to R&B and electronica to alternative rock. This is a great place for a night out with friends, but be prepared as the room can be filled up easily with clouds of cigarette smoke as attendees are at times quite heavy smokers.
2. The Backyard
A cozy, hidden venue within the confines ofSri Hartamas, The Backyard is busy almost every night as it is a popular pub to hang out after a long day of work. The bustling, energetic ambiance of this place makes it a great excuse to loosen up and relax before attending work again the next day. What makes this place even better is that there is a band that plays here every night. They welcome talented musicians of different genres ranging from jazz and alternative rock to heavy rock and even country. Performing acts also vary from solo acts to bands and some enduring artists are regulars here, such as Paul Ponnudurai, The Alleycats, Peter Dickson, and Madison Flynt. Overall, this bar entertains everyone’s different music tastes and is an easily accessed venue for residents living nearby.
3. No Black Tie
No Black Tie, known as NBT by its devoted customers, embraces the genres of jazz and soul. This elegant, chic gastro bar swoons the diners away with lustrous, fluid melodies from the artists; a great night for couples. NBT’s high-profile acoustic acts are impeccable, letting the audience absorb the silky ostinato of the instruments, giving us goose bumps on each note. This may not be the easiest venue to get to as it is located right in the city, but it is definitely worth a visit, especially for all you jazz lovers out there.
4. Alexis Bistro, Ampang
Alexis is renowned for its exceptional gourmet food as a chain restaurant, but the outlet in Ampang is also a great venue for a cozy jazz night with your friends. Every Friday or Saturday, high-class international and local jazz artists have flocked to the place to deliver some excellent performances, including Joe Stilgoe, Natalie Williams, Heidi Vogel, Melissa Indot, and Mei Lin Hii. The first Monday of the month, there is a Jam Session at UPSTAIRS Alexis Telawi, which you may be interested in checking out as well if you want to listen to some fresh tunes from some of these remarkable young talents as they experiment and refine the different skills and techniques applied from traditional jazz into something more thrilling and bold.
5. Laundry
Photo Credit: Laundry, Facebook
Located at The Curve in Mutiara Damansara, the Laundry bar has been around since 2006 as one of the most convenient, neighbourhood gig venues however, it did lose some lustre when more competition arrived. In May 2013, however, Laundry was reinvented as a more nostalgic, retro-trendy venue, a bar focused on the love of good music and good times, and, as a result, it seems that what’s old is new again, and the place is routinely filled. Every Thursday, there are mostly indie bands or soloists who perform live, but if you prefer listening to some more notable, popular songs, then make sure to go there on a Wednesday night (usually every other Wednesday) and watch local musicians do cover songs from the 1950s right up to modern-day numbers.
Source: The Expat Magazine August 2014
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