Urbanscapes, Malaysia’s month-long creative arts festival, have added Kimbra and Jagwar Ma to the line-up for the Urbanscapes finale on December 6th at the Horse Ranch, Resorts World Genting. The finale will feature a diverse music line-up that caters to all aural palates by moving beyond the indie music genre. Urbanscapes will kick-off its twelfth year with activities that include satellite shows, a host of pop=up parties and pocket events throughout November.
Kimbra, the New Zealand-born art-pop songwriter who’s popular for tracks such as “Settle Down” and “Cameo Lover”, will make her way to the Genting Horse Ranch for a performance that draws inspiration from a wide musical spectrum. Her most recent album, The Golden Echo, is inspired by diverse musical touchstones like Prince, ’70’s R&B, ’90’s pop, and The Mars Volta. Kimbra became a global presence via her role on Gotye’s international No. 1 hit, “Somebody That I Used to Know.”
Sydney-based psychedelic/dance band Jagwar Ma deserve acclaim and there’s no questioning why. Known for their signature juxtaposition of voice and electronics, Jagwar Ma began as a musical project born out of studio jams and home recordings, radio frequency manipulation, TR808 patterns, MPCs loops, vintage amps and a treasured 7-inch collection. This obsession has given the band a sound much like J-Dilla playing Primal Scream covering the Beatles.
Urbanscapes will play host to a variety of activities that invite guests to explore and experience with all their senses. Produced by Terry & The Cuz and Kuah Jenhan, a wander through festival grounds will take the crowd to The Democratic People’s Republic of North Bangsar, a mock parody country with a back story that is laugh-out-loud hilarious. Festival goers get to meet its mayor – Jenhan – and explore the town, get a prescription from a Chinese Medicine Hall and participate in the local activity of choice.
Aside from that, Urbanscapes has always been a platform for emerging artists to showcase their talent. This year, muralists like Oak & Bindi, Ian Mutch, Jojo Yusof and TRUSK will showcase their work on upcycled canvases put together by Arthur Lamon.
The Generalists will return, this time with teepees to present their Market of Experiences. Be prepared to uncap little stories that tumble out of a dispenser reminiscent of a typical Malaysian childhood. You can also smash glassware just for fun or ask a Singapore Poetry Slam Winner to improvise a tarot card-inspired poem. At The Biji-Biji Initiative’s interactive water tower, you’ll be able to relive childhood and help water move through channels, as well as explore its sounds, shapes and power.
On December 6, festival goers can also look forward to Los Angeles-based indie rock band Local Natives. Playing alongside them will be the legendary American college rock outfit The Lemonheads, whose cover of Simon & Garfunkel’s “Mrs Robinson” paved a way to a breakthrough in their salad days.
As for the Satellite Shows, Scottish synthpop band Chvrches will be performing at 7pm, November 19 at KL Live. The Scottish post-rock band Mogwai, often championed by the late John Peel of BBC Radio, will take their spin of shoegazing, instrumental metal renditions to Urbanscapes’ Satellite Show this year on 7 pm, 30 November at KL Live. American comedy rock duo Tenacious D, featuring actors/musicians Jack Black and Kyle Gass will play Urbanscapes’ third Satellite Show on December 1, also at KL Live.
Completing the festival line-up are local and regional acts such as:
- OJ Law
- Ali Aiman
- Najwa
- June Marieezy
- Faiq and the Manja Mob
- Azmyl Yunor & Orkes Padu
- The Cotton Field Scarecrowes
- Cashew Chemists
- Paperplane Pursuit
- Jumero
- Dirgahayu
Highlighting a variety of Malaysia’s homegrown entrepreneurs and artisans, expect offerings from:
- Ash Be Nimble
- Mosaic Bijoux
- Power of Word
- Psychedelic Store
- Nyo
- Trendy Bellaz
- I’ll Studio
- Third Culture
- URBN8
- CanvasPick
- Prototype gallery
- Huggaz
- Homu store
- Robe Du Jour
- Wild Baby
- Sun Off A Beach
- and more..
Buy your Urbanscapes tickets online at www.ticketpro.com.my. Tickets can also be bought at physical outlets throughout the country. For the list of outlets, look them up at www.ticketpro.com.my/jnp/
