Billie Blue and The Nowhere Men get into the groove at Jao Tim tonight.
LIVE music lovers have a wide range of nightspots in the Klang Valley to choose from.
From rock and pop to blues, jazz and everything else in between, here are our top picks for you to get into the rhythm of the night.
MERDEKARYA
352 (Annexe), Jalan 5/57,
Petaling Garden, Petaling Jaya
Tel: 018-661 4553
One of the Klang Valley’s best purveyors of indie vibes, Merdekarya features original grunge tonight with Hey Jay taking over the stage. Tomorrow night, get into the 1960s groove of vibe rock with Momin & The Deen’s List. Next Wednesday, it’s folk sounds with Brian Gomez. No cover charge but a minimum tip of RM10 for the musicians is expected.
BOBO KL
65-2 Jalan Bangkung,
Bangsar, KL
Tel: 012-683 8603
After a month of comedic evenings, the focus returns to great music. Tonight and tomorrow night, gear up for a Merdeka-themed jam featuring Aruel & The FaSoLa with the irrepressible Mazlina Manan on vocals for a night of Ronggeng 1957. From Aug 23 to 26, it’s Bobo on Broadway with Bobo KL’s artistic director Sean Ghazi teaming up with fellow Miss Saigon alumnus Christopher Morandi for three nights of Bobo on Broadway. They will be joined by Internet sensation Lara Maigue as well as Bobo regulars Izen Kong and Ida Mariana. For tickets, visit www.cloudjoi.com/org/bobokl
JAO TIM
61 Jalan Sultan, Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-2022 3897
Website: www.jaotim.com
Doubling as an events space, Jao Tim gives life to a whole new set of musical options. Tonight, folk rock, blues and psychedelia fans are in for a treat as Billie Blue and The Nowhere Men are taking over. Tomorrow night, it’s musicals when Rozz does all things Broadway. On Sunday night, Melissa Anne is on stage with an all-star concert, paying tribute to greats like Beyonce, Adele, Mariah Carey and Stevie Wonder. Next Wednesday, David Soh hosts the Table Lamp Concert featuring Disney favourites. On Aug 29, the Table Lamp Concert features the music of Coldplay by Sharon Chong, Pete Kallang, Puteh Piaf and Jayvine Ramma. Cover charges apply.
HANGOVER PJ
D-37-01, Dataran 3 Two Square,
2 Jalan 19/1, PJ
Tel: 012-248 2098
Another familiar name for fans of live music in Petaling Jaya, the Hangover offers a wide selection of everything from R&B and retro to blues and rock. On Friday nights, explore the sounds of the 1980s with the Union reunion taking the stage. On Sunday nights, Julian Mokhtar welcomes everyone to sing and play along with the T-Jam sessions.
SIMPLY JAZZ by Tin Box
26 Block C5, Level G3,
Publika, Solaris Dutamas, KL
Brian Gomez brings folk tunes to Merdekarya’s stage next Wednesday.
Originally in TREC KL, Simply Jazz by Tin Box has moved to Publika and is a breath of fresh air for jazz fans in the suburbs. Tonight and tomorrow night, singer Joy Victor performs jazzy tunes, backed by maestro Michael Veerapen on piano and his band.
TWENTY EIGHT @ BANGSAR
28 Jalan Telawi 5,
Bangsar, KL
Tel: 019-870 0493
Friday nights serve up something a little different at Twenty Eight, with Quiz Master Ram headlining but it’s not just any other quiz night as there’ll be a live band on stage to keep punters entertained before, after and maybe even during the quiz. For details, email enquiries@twentyeightbar.com.
ELLI ROCKS DH
46-M First Floor,
Plaza Damansara, Jalan Medan Setia 2,
Bukit Damansara, KL
Tel: 011-1511 8866
The home of gin o’clock also serves up some great music three nights a week, with a host of luminaries on stage. Every Wednesday, Gerard Singh holds his solo sessions. Tonight, guitar virtuoso Sharin teams up with percussionist Al Hafiz. Tomorrow night, Arab and Badar team up to get the crowd going with their mellow vibes.
Joy Victor showcases the jazz side of her repertoire at Simply Jazz in Publika tonight and tomorrow night.
LOCO TTDI
11 Jalan Wan Kadir 2,
Taman Tun Dr Ismail, KL. Tel: 016-380 8477
The cheer-filled, Mexican-themed Loco TTDI has live sessions on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday nights from 6pm onwards. Join Arab and Badar on Tuesdays and Maha Jeffrey heats it up on Wednesday evenings. Rocker Sharin trades his electric axe for acoustics on Thursdays, while Troubadour Tam gets in on the action on Sunday evenings.
ROCK BOTTOM CHANGKAT
42 Changkat Bukit Bintang, KL.
Tel: 011-6172 9892
One can always expect a great time at Rock Bottom with DJs spinning the wheels of steel during the week but on Sunday nights, from 9pm onwards, the Sons of Adam bring back the spirit of Woodstock and the rocking tunes of the 1960s and 1970s.
Sean Ghazi is on for three nights of Bobo on Broadway at Bobo KL next week.
BATS
Sunway Giza
Jalan PJU 5/14, PJ
Tel: 012-969 8557
One of the stand-outs in Kota Damansara for live music. Piano man Vishnu Shakhti is a regular here with a host of friends to liven up the nights. For a full list of performers, check out www.facebook.com/bats.restaurant.bar
ELLI ROCKS TTDI
26A First Floor,
Jalan Datuk Sulaiman
Taman Tun Dr Ismail, KL
Tel: 011-3422 5566
Another spot for a night out in the heart of TTDI, Elli Rocks is also home to gin o’clock. Plenty of action on the music front – check its Facebook page for updates.
ROCKAFELLERS BUKIT DAMANSARA
15-G, 17-G, 19-G
Jalan Medan Setia 1,
Bukit Damansara, KL Tel: 014-630 5438
In the heart of Bukit Damansara, Rockafellers keeps it going with more than just DJs getting into the groove. Its Nightcoustic sessions are where the likes of Priscilla Xavier, Gareth and Fairul, Mizan and Kyra and Yasher and Andy have all previously appeared. Check out its social media for current musical acts.
SIMPLY RETRO by TIN BOX
28 & 29 Block C5, Level G3,
Publika, Solaris Dutamas, KL
Simply Retro is a vinyl-only outlet that serves up some of the best of the 1980s and 1990s. Resident deejays Jason Martin, Bernie, Jazzie Jay and Francis K take turns to bring back the magic that was the music of that era.
Crane KL78 Jalan Sultan, KL
WhatsApp: 013-218 5712
Website: cranekl.com
Another Chinatown hotspot, Crane KL offers a good selection of cocktails and great food to add to the charm of the heritage building. There’s a great selection of music from Wednesday to Saturday. Every Friday, get into the groove with the soloists.
9FiveQ Restobar34 Jln USJ9/5Q
Subang Jaya
Tel: 010-277 2909
Priding itself on good food, great drinks and amazing live music, this gem tucked away in Subang Jaya serves up live jams every night. Tuesday nights see regular Gerard Singh getting into the thick of the acoustic action.
On Line Pub32 Jalan SS20/10,
Damansara Kim, PJ
Tel: 03-7728 0532
The Temple of Rock continues to thrill nightlife enthusiasts with its mix of pub grub, chilled beers and loud music. On Wednesday nights, Victor gets the ball rolling with his laid-back style. On Saturday nights, On Line kicks it into high gear with rocker Sharin picking up his axe for major mayhem with his backing crew.
