The A-List by Mixmag Asia: Running you through what's red-hot in Asia this February

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?

GARDEN BEATS FESTIVAL
Saturday, February 29
Fort Canning Park, Singapore

Hello Garden Beats Festival, where have you been all our lives? Singapore’s beloved music, art and conscious living festival is now entering its ninth year of operation but has only just turned heads with this year’s show-stopping line-up. Aside from English rock band Foals and R&B songstress Sabrina Claudio headlining, the DJ line-up is what’s got our ears perked. Montreal-based DJ duo and Say No To Plastic innovators Blond:ish lead the pack with Burning Man regular and man behind the memorable ‘Days Without You’ Crussen is at the top of our must-watch list. Also plucked from the playa is Viken Armin with Italian duo Giolì and Assia keeping things soulful by layering live instrumentation and singing over electronic music. The fun-loving and party-starting Illustrious Blacks also cannot be missed if you’re keen on a wild intergalactic journey in sound and performance. On the art front, attendees can expect all things theatre and dance, with a mesmerising line-up of performing arts pieces or take an inspiring stroll down their enchanting Art Lane. Aside from music and art, there is conscious living. In 2018, Green Beats was certified as Singapore’s first carbon-neutral music festival and honoured for the steps they’ve taken to reduce their environmental footprint. The eco-friendly festival takes place on the leap year date of February 29 at Fort Canning Park and tops Mixmag Asia’s list of Where To Be in February 2020. Get tickets here.

Honourable mention: UNKNWN.Fiesta debuts on February 22 with Hot Chip, Friendly Fires, Hercules & Love affair and more. An extension of the Manila-based event brand, UNKNWN.Fiesta is a celebration of Filipino heritage and culture through the merging of local and international music, art, food, and design, all with that signature UNKNWN touch.

MIXMAG ASIA PRESENTS LICAXXX
Saturday, February 21
Bam Bam, Ho Chi Minh City

We just can’t get enough of Saigon these days and with good reason. We used to go there for the food, but recently the city has emerged as one with a sizzling music scene. For our Mixmag Asia presents series, where we push the freshest talent from around the region to new corners of Asia every month, we first landed at Bam Bam — a club that exudes cool in a unique environment. This month, Licaxxx arrives all the way from Tokyo where she is a regular and hugely revered DJ and producer who represents youth culture by hosting Tokyo Community Radio. Though she’s been a fixture on the Tokyo circuit for some time now where she is known for playing lo-fi house and raw techno in the city’s much-lauded underground clubs, it wasn’t until a Boiler Room appearance that she captured the hearts of the world. Smitten, we scooped her up and off to the races we go. See you in Ho Chi Minh City. Party here.

Honourable mention: Techno titan Amelie Lens will descend upon Taipei on February 27 at ATT Show Box to deliver some hard techno to a city that doesn’t normally get enough of it. Artists of this calibre don’t come around often, making the show one not to miss.