Jams for the new year in Klang Valley
IT IS the first weekend of 2024 and the excitement of a whole new year still fills the air as bands get ready to storm the stages of your favourite venues in the Klang Valley.
There’s something catering to just about every taste, including some offerings where the boundaries blur and the mix is on for a fun time after the sun sets.
Here are just a few places to get your groove on and let your hair down in Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya.
MERDEKARYA
No.352 (Annexe), Jalan 5/57,
Petaling Garden, PJ
Tel: 018-661 4553
One of the Klang Valley’s best purveyors of indie vibes, Merdekarya will be turning 11 soon and is organising two nights of great vibes to celebrate on Jan 12 and 13, with more details promised soon.
Brian Gomez, no stranger to the stage at Merdekarya, kicked things off with a night of folk rock favourites on Wednesday but tonight’s offering is definitely for those in the mood for some hard-rocking vibes as Johny23 serves up original punk rock for the punters.
Tomorrow night, Kirthana Kuhendran is in the house with a full band in tow for a night of pop and funk. Next Wednesday, Gomez is back with his regular mid-week dose of folk for the fans.
Next Thursday, there’ll be more folk on stage with Sounds of Kites. There is no cover charge but a minimum tip of RM10 for the musicians is expected.
Singer-songwriter Bihzhu is the special guest at Jao Tim next Tuesday.
JAO TIM
No.61, Jalan Sultan, KL
Tel: 03-2022 3897
Website: www.jaotim.com
An elegant venue in the heart of the city, Jao Tim absolutely drips with old-world charm but also serves up an interesting array of offerings. Now also stepping up as an events space, the outlet gives life to a whole new set of musical offerings that are just that much different to stand out.
Tonight is extra special as the venue plays host to Naungan, a night of world ethnic fusion themed “Uniting Traditions Through Music”. Tomorrow night, The Zabalang 2.0 will be in the house to entertain with a little bit of Mandopop as well as standard pop and more.
Next Tuesday, the talented chanteuse Bihzhu will be the special guest at the continuing Table Lamp Concert series as she throws a light on transcendence with everything from folk-pop and reggae to soul and jazz.
On Wednesday, join Jessye as she takes fans on a journey through Canto-pop from the 1980s onwards. On Thursday, blues and soul is in focus, with some rock thrown in, as Jason Raj takes the stage. Fans of a more Latin beat are in for a treat next Friday as the iconic Solianos will be in the house for some swing and bossa nova. Cover charges apply.
Sean Ghazi brings Broadway back to the Bobo KL stage.
BOBO KL
No.65-2, Jalan Bangkung,
Bangsar, KL
Tel: 012-683 8603
Bobo and its baby grand have played host to many a music great. It’s a great spot with everything from comedy to jazz and other great sounds.
Next Thursday to Saturday, the music gets local with Aruel & The Fasola celebrating the new year with meRONGGENGlah 2024! From Jan 18 to 20, enjoy the best of the next generation of music stars when young talents from Bentley Music Academy present “Hey, There Delilah”.
To round out the month, Sean Ghazi will be back with some of his amazing friends for “Bobo on Broadway” on Jan 25, 26 and 27. He will be joined by Lara Maigue, Christopher Morandi, Ida Mariana and Izen Kong for three nights of Broadway hits, brought back by popular demand. For tickets, visit www.cloudjoi.com/org/bobokl
Victor M gets into the groove at Lavaa on Wednesday evenings.
LAVAA RESTOBAR
No.25, Jalan 17/56
Section 17, PJ
Tel: 03-7931 5446
Great vibes, good food and a selection of original cocktails make this nifty outlet in Petaling Jaya a great place to chill, and not just after dark!
Musical magic happens twice a week here, with an extra special Sunday afternoon session from 3pm to 7pm.
It’s a great time to just chill for an afternoon with the sounds of Sharin going solo with his acoustic and jamming up a storm. On Wednesday evenings, Victor sets the tone from 6pm onwards.
PORKVILLE
Lot 3, Lorong Utara (B),
PJS 52, PJ
Tel: 016-324 1455
The interestingly named Porkville in the heart of Petaling Jaya serves up more than just great grub as it also plays host to some great rocking times, with some of the best of the local scene gracing the stage here from time to time.
Aruel joins The Fasola to meRONGGENGlah 2024! at Bobo KL tonight and tomorrow.
SIMPLY JAZZ by Tin Box
No.28 & 29, Block C5, Level G3,
Publika, Solaris Dutamas, KL
Reservations: https://tinbox.my
Jazz fans in the Klang Valley have another new venue to enjoy. Originally making its presence felt in TREC KL, Simply Jazz by Tin Box has moved to Publika for a whole new groove.
A breath of fresh air for jazz fans in the suburbs who’ve long had to make the trek deep into the heart of the city to get their kicks. This weekend, pianoman Michael Veerapen is back in the groove, leading a pack comprising YHFOO on bass and Cliff Wong on drums.
Tonight and tomorrow night, chanteuse Kirana Kay will be taking to the stage. Next Wednesday, sax-man Julian Chan will be in the house to accompany the band while vocalist Izen Kong will be thrilling the crowds on Friday and Saturday.
BATS
Sunway Giza,
Jalan PJU 5/14,
Petaling Jaya
Tel: 012-969 8557
Bats is fresh off a charity fundraiser and is back in the thick of the action with a host of acts performing here regularly, with crooner Vishnu keeping it tight on stage alongside a host of other musicians.
For a full list of musicians performing here, check out www.facebook.com/bats.restaurant.bar
Izen Kong has a busy schedule this month with several appearances at various venues.
H&A THE ORIGINAL
No.37, Jln 23/70a,
Desa Sri Hartamas, KL and
24, Lorong Rahim Kajai 14,
Taman Tun Dr Ismail, KL
While originally starting off as sports bars, the two H&A The Original outlets – in Sri Hartamas and Taman Tun Dr Ismail – now offer up more fun for those looking for a break after a long day at work. Wednesday and Sunday nights are for music, with alternating guests rotating between Gerard Anthony, Emmanuel, Tam and Priscilla Xavier. Get your thinking caps on as Quizmaster Ram has brought his challenge to H&A The Original, alternating between Desa Sri Hartamas and Taman Tun.
NAVIGATORS BAR & RESTAURANT
C-43-P2 and Mezzanine,
Block C, Jaya One,
72A, Jalan Universiti, PJ
Tel: 012-530 0013
Navigators is back in action with a selection of great offerings for fans. On Sunday nights, it’s time to chill out and mellow a little with the sounds of Victor M on stage.
ON LINE PUB
No.32, Jalan SS20/10,
Damansara Kim,
Petaling Jaya
Tel: 03-7728 0532
The one and only Temple of Rock continues to thrill nightlife enthusiasts as it shows a whole new generation just what it takes to get it right with a mix of pub grub, chilled beers and loud music.
What a selection the boys behind the bar serve up. On Friday nights, KDee Razman gets the ball rolling for a load of fun ahead of the weekend. On Saturday nights, On Line comes alive as the Temple of Rock kicks it into high gear with the inimitable and irrepressible rocker Sharin picking up his axe for some major mayhem with his backing crew.
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, Hangover is set to get into the groove with a wide selection of everything from R&B and retro to blues and rock.
On Wednesday nights, Joy Victor and the rest of Nine Lives get into the groove at Hangover. On Saturday nights, the Soulseekers are in the house to entertain.
TWENTY EIGHT @ BANGSAR
26, Jalan Telawi 5,
Bangsar, KL
Tel: 019-870 0493
Now located just next door to its previous premises, Twenty Eight is not short of offerings for fans of a great night out. Friday nights serve up something a little different, with Quiz Master Ram headlining in his own inimitable way. However, 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
THE SOCIAL (Empire Subang)
Empire Shopping Gallery,
Jalan SS16/1, Subang Jaya
Chase away the mid-week blues as things get a little jazzy and rocky here in Subang Jaya. Next Wednesday, Nina Deen and friends get into the groove of the night.
ELLI ROCKS DH
No.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 musical vibes three nights a week, with a host of luminaries gracing the stage.
Every Wednesday, Gerard Singh continues his solo sessions from the stage here, while tonight, guitar virtuoso Sharin teams up with percussionist Al Hafiz for a great night out.
LOCO TTDI
No.11, Jalan Wan Kadir 2,
TTDI, Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 016-380 8477
The cheer-filled, Mexican-themed Loco TTDI serves up more than just great food and drinks with its live sessions on Thursday and Sunday nights from 6pm onwards.
Join Sharin for the live sessions on Thursday, while troubadour Tam gets in on the action on Sunday evenings.
