Singapore – The award winning Music Matters Live returns this year for its 12th year (seven in Singapore). Running alongside the All That Matters industry conference, Music Matters Live kicks off the five-day event on Saturday September 9, and promises to showcase some of the brightest and most promising bands and artists from the Asia Pacific region and beyond.

Highlights include Asia’s premier independent music festival, Music Matters Live, returns for its 12th year playing in multiple music venues around Singapore. More than 40 top emerging acts, representing 14 countries, will be performing, across four big nights. First wave of bands announced include Kiana Valenciano, Dizzy, Theia, SonaOne, Soundwave, Fairchild and more. For the first time, CHIJMES comes on board as Main Showcase Venue Partner. The main stage will be located at the CHIJMES outdoor lawn. Timbre Music have returned as Official Venue Partner to provide their outlets for various showcases.

Music Matters Live closing party to be held at Hard Rock Cafeon Wednesday, 13th September. From 9th to 12th September, artists will be performing at Outdoor lawn at CHIJMES, Barber Shop by Timbre, Timbre Music Academy Hall, SWITCH by Timbre, Timbre @ The Substation & CANVAS.

This year, organisers Branded are extremely excited to be able to work with Apple Music, who have joined the event to show support for local Asian and international music and the industry that makes it possible. From 1 September 2017, music fans will be able to access exclusive playlists curated by Music

Matters Live on Apple Music. In addition to the exclusive content, Music Matters has made Apple Music the festival’s official music service of this year’s festival.

For the first time, Music Matters Live will be adding a new award entitled “Artist that Matters 2017” in association with Apple Music. The winning band will be selected in collaboration with Apple Music’s expert Editors and given the coveted featuring of “New Artist Spotlight” on Apple Music across Southeast Asia and beyond.

Over two days and five nights, more than 40 acts from 12 countries will take stage in front of All That Matters delegates as well as the general public. This year, for the first time, CHIJMES has partnered with Music Matters Live as Main Showcase Venue partner. The main showcases will be held at the CHIJMES outdoor lawn and entry to the event is free for everyone.

Following the tradition of Music Matters Live, the festival will once again include country-specific showcases from the Asia Pacific Region. These showcases include ‘Aussie BBQ’ (supported by Sounds Australia), ‘Taiwan Beats’ (supported by Ministry Of Culture R.O.C (Taiwan), ‘Sound of India’ (supported by Artist Aloud), and more country showcases to be announced.

Timbre Music also returns as Official Venue Partner to the festival, providing their venues Barber Shop by Timbre, Timbre Music Academy Hall, Switch by Timbre and Timbre @ The Substation, for performances by Music Matters Live artists during the festival.