The A-List by Mixmag Asia: March, deconstructed

Welcome to The A-List — a curated selection of the finest in music, art, food, culture and fashion by all the extraordinary talent that call Asia home. Every month, the Mixmag Asia crew vet and vote on the very best brands, events and more to deliver a not-to-miss list that should help you shape your month. Techno tourism, isn’t that what they call it?

WIRED MUSIC WEEK
March 12 - 15
Zouk Genting, Kuala Lumpur

Welcome to the third instalment of Asia's largest music conference and festival, Wired Music Week. From industry trends to mental health, WMW will deep dive into various exciting topics and explore new methods to maintain the sustainability of electronic music in today's modern world. Don't miss a panel powered by Mixmag Asia that looks to answer if managers are still needed in this modern world, as well as a keynote with Markus Schulz moderated by our team. This year will also see the debut of Wired Black, which looks to shed light on the underground music scene and showcase an alternative side to electronic music. Mixmag Asia is all over this new pillar, and you'll find us moderating a panel on the nature of sustainability in the music industry and another on the independent publishing landscape in the region. We'll also be sitting on a panel that explores the future of journalism. Another new pillar added this is re:Wired, which is in partnership with Sync Summit on a series of panels, keynotes and workshops focusing on the intersection of music, gaming and esports. The conference takes place from March 12 - 15 against the sights and sounds of official venue partner, Zouk Genting. Afterparties and satellite parties are springing up all over Kuala Lumpur making it worthy of a weekender even if you aren't planning to attend the conference. Get tickets here.

Honourable mention: Kolour In The Park returns to Bangkok on March 7 for the brand's eighth incarnation at the Thai Wake Park. Ukrainian electronic music project ARTBAT, German multi-hyphenate artist Mousse T, South African man of the moment Black Coffee and more are on the bill.

SHAGRILLA OF QUEER 05: LIFE IMITATES ART
March 14
Pisco Bar, Kuala Lumpur

Shagrilla advocates for LGBTQ+ visibility in Malaysia by uniting individuals and allies across different webs of demographics under one singular voice. The initiatives physical embodiment is an event series in the country's capital city that is heavily inspired by the world of dance music. Unlike other parties, Shagrilla dives deep into highlighting issues such as consent, drug abuse, and sexual health at every instalment while maintaining the importance of a safe space for the community to gather. Powered by Mixmag Asia, Shagrilla 5 will take place on Saturday night following Wired Music Week and looks to connect an even more diverse range of acts. The line-up comprises of local and international talents like JonnyVicious on the decks, budding drag queens from the haus of Coven Collectiv, Gaga's doppelgänger Kumela Kumslut who will team up with Ligyre from Shade Seoul, Vietnam's Gender Funk's Esta Ricardo and park:ING. Taking dressing up to a whole different level, Shagrilla is the place be if you want to experience a whole different side of partying.

Honourable mention: South African man of the moment Black Coffee is on tour in Asia this month with stops in Hong Kong at Cassio on March 6, Bangkok on March 7 at Kolour In The Park and later that night at Marquee in Singapore, and finally on March 8 at OMNIA Bali.

TANAMAN
Desa Potato Head, Bali

One by one, Desa Potato Head is opening the doors to all its new concepts and Tanaman and its in-house plant-based restaurant is the latest one to appear on our radar. The restaurant is a nod to Potato Head's authentic Indonesian roots and has been super-charged at Tanaman. The menu is designed by Chef Wayan Kresna Yasa and draws upon the nostalgic flavours of the archipelago’s classic recipes from family kitchens, street vendors and warungs. The chef and his team use only organic produce to recreate traditional Indonesian dishes from mushroom sate to jackfruit rendang and botanical cocktails to house-made kombucha. Tanaman is a perfect clash of old meets new in a menu that’s looking to a more conscious, health-forward and sustainable future — perhaps even one on another planet. Stepping inside the OMA-designed restaurant (Rem Koolhaas’ renowned architecture firm from the Netherlands) is like boarding a spaceship with electric blue light pillars, a reflective floor and block-style seating.

Honourable mention: Thai DJ Mendy Indigo prepares to launch her YouTube cooking series called ShitMendyCooks. In the show, she invites renowned artists from all around the world to join her in the kitchen while she teaches about Thai culture through cooking local dishes. Pan-Pot and Seth Troxler feature in episodes one and two, due out in March.

ABLETON BANGKOK 2020
Thursday, March 5
Beam, Bangkok

With performances, workshops and artist talks, Ableton lands in Bangkok to bring together diverse members of the creative community to share insights and ideas around making music. As a whole, these programs happen all over the world and are intended to help budding producers improve their production and improvisation techniques, as well as meet like minded people in the community. The Bangkok leg of the series will be hosted by Christian Schwanz aka CEE and mredrollo. The meetup and masterclass also feature Pyra, Perera Elsewhere, DJ Dragon, Marmosets, Stu Grant and Ableton Certified Trainer Nattapoom Ua-Umnuay. The event will take place at Beam, entry is free and you can register for tickets here.

Honourable mention: Bali Spirit Festival unfurls in the spiritual epicentre of Bali each year: Ubud. It’s lauded as one of the largest yoga festivals in the world but there is so much more to it like dance, martial arts, breathwork and personal development with musical accompaniment by songwriters, DJs, world music bands and other conscious musicians. This year, the event takes place at the Purnati Center for the Arts from March 29 to April 5.

YETI OUT
Hong Kong, Asia

Earlier this year, Hong Kong via Shanghai music collective Yeti Out previewed their first full collection of luxury hoodies, tees and sweats at Paris Fashion Week. They held an event called 'OUTPUT 002' which consisted of a panel talk and DJ sets by the Yeti crew, Sham Steele, Nico Adomako, Lousy Lover, and DJ HRP from Hotel Radio Paris. Tom Yeti sat down with Sabrina Li (Selfhood), Chris Mart (Akila), and Kevin Kim (IISE) to talk about the state of streetwear and their experiences in the scene. The collection is called UNDER1ROOF and we've got the scoop that it will be out at the end of summer on August 28. Get ready for your pre-order here.

Honourable mention: Designed and produced in Ubud, Bali, AUMI's designs are on the wishlist of pretty much every sleek and chic festivalgoer in this world. The Australian designer takes a break every year after Burning Man to work on new designs and her website has finally roared back to life this month much to the delight of every fashion-forward Instagrammer out there. Shop with AUMI here.