Uniting Asia’s Original Voices and Elevating Independent Music to the Global Stage
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA February 23, 2026 – Asia New Beat, an Asia-wide independent music competition organized and funded by Asian indie music platform Star Nest, has officially launched its 2026 edition. Covering Thailand, South Korea, Malaysia, and Vietnam, the competition aims to discover emerging independent artists across Asia and foster cross-border musical collaboration.
The Malaysia chapter will officially open for submissions on February 10, 2026, co-organized by OnMuse Entertainment and SWYM. Organizers are calling on local independent musicians to seize this opportunity to showcase their original music on an international platform.
Empowering Asia’s Independent Music Scene
Star Nest focuses on investing in and managing Asian independent music labels and artists, while actively organizing livehouse performances and music festivals across the region. The platform provides performance opportunities, development resources, and international exposure for emerging talents.
Asia New Beat is more than a competition — it is a growth platform designed to connect Asia’s music ecosystem and amplify original voices across borders.
Eligibility and Competition Format
The competition is open to solo artists and bands with an average age of 30 years old or below, performing original compositions.
The official competition platform is Musee App, where participants must register and upload their original works. A professional judging panel will conduct the preliminary selection, shortlisting the Top 30 in each region.
The Top 30 entries will be opened for online public voting. Combined scores from judges and fan votes will determine the finalists advancing to the live regional finals.
Attractive Prizes and International Development Opportunities
Regional Champions and First Runners-Up will receive:
- Champion: USD 3,000
- First Runner-Up: USD 1,000
Winners will represent their countries at the Asia New Beat Grand Final and Music Festival in Bangkok on March 21, 2026.
At the Asia Grand Final:
- Champion: USD 10,000
- First Runner-Up: USD 5,000
In addition, the overall champion will have the opportunity to receive up to USD 100,000 worth of music development support, including music production, marketing, international collaborations, and an Asia tour.
Malaysia Key Dates
Online Registration:
February 10 – March 6, 2026
Registration Method:
Register and upload original music via Musee App
Malaysia Final:
March 15, 2026
Venue: Hard Rock Cafe Genting Highlands
A Call to Malaysia’s Independent Artists
As the Malaysia co-organizer, SWYM emphasizes that this competition is not only about prize money, but about providing a genuine pathway for independent musicians to step onto the Asian and global stage.
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