Front Row

WVC Malaysian Jazz Ensemble's 20th Anniversary Celebration 26.06.2026 23m

This year, WVC Malaysian Jazz Ensemble celebrates its 20th anniversary, marking twenty years of original music, collaborations, recordings and performances that have helped shape Malaysia's jazz landscape. Founded and led by pianist and composer Tay Cher Siang, the group has built a reputation for blending jazz with distinctly Malaysian influences, literary themes and fearless experimentation. The celebrations include a performance at the Royal Selangor Jazz Festival 2026, as well as a special anniversary concert, WVC 20, that brings together past and present collaborators for an evening reflecting on the band's remarkable journey. We speak to Cher Siang to reflect on the band’s journey thus far, while discussing the big anniversary celebrations, and also the road ahead.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Across Galaxies & Kingdoms 25.06.2026 17m

Great stories need great music. Often, it's the score that nudges us when to feel hope, fear, triumph, or heartbreak, turning unforgettable moments on screen into experiences that stay with us for years. Tutan Entertainment's upcoming concert, Across Galaxies & Kingdoms, shines a spotlight on the music behind some of science fiction and fantasy's most iconic worlds, from The Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones to Battlestar Galactica and beyond. Leading the performance is conductor Kevin Field, Conductor Laureate of the Tutan Festival Orchestra (appearing courtesy of Bentley Music Academy) to tell us more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Merry Widow 19.06.2026 24m

What happens when an entire country's financial future depends on who one wealthy widow decides to marry? That's the delightfully improbable premise at the heart of The Merry Widow, Franz Lehár's much-loved operetta filled with romance, intrigue, and plenty of laughs. KL City Opera is bringing the classic work to the stage this July, reimagined in English and set against the elegance and glamour of 1920s Paris. Joining us to talk about the production are cast members Janet Lee and Gui Foo Chen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shades of Handel 18.06.2026 16m

When most people think of George Frideric Handel, it's often the Messiah and the soaring "Hallelujah" Chorus that come to mind. But Handel's musical legacy extends far beyond his most famous work. A special concert titled Shades of Handel, presented by VerSeS Music Ensembles and performed by the KL Madrigal Singers & Players, aims to reveal the many colours of the Baroque master's music, through a programme of vocal and instrumental works performed on period instruments. We find out more from Scott Woo, tenor and Director of the KL Madrigal Singers & Players.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hungry 12.06.2026 23m

When we talk about the Hungry Ghost Festival, it's easy to focus on the spirits. But perhaps the people who are truly hungry are the living, hungry for understanding, hungry for connection, hungry to be loved. That's the idea behind Hungry, a new play making its premiere at klpac this month, written by award-winning Singaporean playwright Desmond Sim. Set against the backdrop of the Hungry Ghost Festival, the play explores family relationships, memory, grief, and the things we carry with us across a lifetime. To tell us more about it, we speak to the play's director Christopher Ling, and actor Gabriel Tham.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The ASEAN Youth Orchestra Festival Kuala Lumpur 2026 11.06.2026 18m

The ASEAN Youth Orchestra Festival 2026 Kuala Lumpur gathers young musicians from across Southeast Asia for a week of training, exchange and performance, culminating in a free community concert and a Gala Concert. To tell us more about the festival and its aims, we’re joined by Ahmad Muriz Che Rose, Conductor and Head of Music Talent Development at the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Redefining Artistry 05.06.2026 23m

If you think choir concerts are just about standing and singing, think again. Redefining Artistry is an upcoming immersive production that combines choral music with astrophotography, digital visuals and scent design for a completely multi-sensory experience at RexKL. To tell us more, we’re joined by Lee Shiak Yao from the Klang Chamber Choir.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tokyo x Seoul: Icons & Idols 04.06.2026 20m

Choral music may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about K-pop and J-pop, genres known for their slick choreography, fashion, and larger-than-life performances. But the Young KL Singers are bringing all of those worlds together in Tokyo x Seoul: Icons & Idols, a concert experience that blends choir, dance, design, multimedia, and some of the most beloved songs from Japan and South Korea into one spectacular tribute. Joining us to share more about the production are director Ian Chow, and singer Lai Suk Yin, from the Young KL Singers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Long Journey 29.05.2026 31m

A major new multidisciplinary performance is making its premiere this June, bringing together contemporary music, Butoh and dance theatre, visual storytelling, and the rich musical traditions of the Orang Ulu community of Sarawak. The Long Journey follows a woman’s spiritual and emotional journey of healing and self-discovery, inspired by the transformative sound of the sape. To understand more about this collaboration, we speak to director and vocalist Lai Chee Bungan Yeow, and producer Foo Chiwei.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Structural Voids 28.05.2026 29m

For artist Yau Bee Ling, painting has never simply been about creating images, it has been a way of living, processing, questioning, and making sense of the world. For thirty-five years, she has painted through different chapters of life, exploring themes of family, femininity, motherhood, emotional tension, and personal transformation through richly textured canvases that feel both intimate and universal. Her latest solo exhibition, Structural Voids, presented at Wei-Ling Gallery, explores emotional disconnection, fragmentation, and the quiet struggles of holding onto human connection in an increasingly fractured world. Alongside the exhibition is the launch of The Weaving of Life: Art through Trials and Triumphs, the first monograph dedicated to her work. She joins us to reflect on the stories behind the paintings, the evolution of her practice, and the experiences that continue to shape her art.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Disney's The Lion King Live in Concert 22.05.2026 18m

It’s been more than three decades since Disney’s The Lion King first captured audiences around the world, and its music remains just as powerful today. Now, in what will be Malaysia’s first ever Disney The Lion King Live in Concert, audiences can experience the beloved film with a full live orchestra performing every note in sync with the movie. To tell us more about the preparation, the challenges, and the excitement behind this major production, we're joined by Eric Lee, Resident Conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra Malaysia.Image Credit: Milestone Entertainment FacebookSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Berapa Sekilo? 21.05.2026 13m

There is something deeply Malaysian about the wet market. The sound of bargaining, the smell of the sea, the sight of ice melting beneath fresh seafood. It is busy, noisy, messy, and full of life. But for visual artist Ryzalman Misran, it is also a place of beauty, memory, sacrifice, and human connection. His new solo exhibition, Berapa Sekilo? transforms these familiar scenes into striking photo realistic watercolour paintings that invite us to slow down and look again. We speak to Ryzalman about the stories, memories, and emotions behind the exhibition.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bardo 15.05.2026 23m

Death is something many cultures struggle to talk about openly, yet it’s also one of the few experiences every human being shares. A new multidisciplinary arts production Bardo invites audiences to reflect on that mysterious space between life and death through theatre, music, and visual art. Bringing together symbolic installations, live performance, and an original soundtrack performed live, the work explores transformation, memory, and the unknown in a deeply immersive way. Joining us to share more about this production are producer and director Chin Wai Kong, and artist and music director Samm Koh.Image Credit: The Razors Experimental Theatre FacebookSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Seni Mekar: Art in Bloom 14.05.2026 17m

Art can be many things. A form of expression, a source of comfort, even a way of connecting with the world when words are hard to find. That idea sits at the heart of Seni Mekar: Art in Bloom, a new exhibition by FriendenArt featuring the works of 18 young artists, many of whom are living with disabilities and rare conditions. FriendenArt itself was inspired by the artistic journey of co-founder Yap Sook Yee’s son, Branden, who lives with Spinal Muscular Atrophy or SMA. What began as a way to support and showcase his creativity has since grown into a wider platform celebrating the talents of other artists with disabilities and rare conditions. We catch up with Sook Yee, to find out more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Teater Normcore: Odisi Romansa 08.05.2026 24m

What does it mean to be human, especially in a world where humans no longer exist? That is the question at the heart of Teater Normcore: Odisi Romansa, a new science fiction theatre production that blends live performance with digital technology, striking visual elements and even puppetry. Set in a distant future, the story follows two androids trying to make sense of memory, love, and longing. It is poetic, a little mysterious, and very much rooted in emotion. Presented by Moka Mocha Ink and written and directed by Ridhwan Saidi, we find out what's in store from two of the performers bringing this story to life, Lee Qi and Aliya Marissa.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cluedo 07.05.2026 18m

There’s something timeless about a good murder mystery. Add in a cast of eccentric suspects, plenty of physical comedy, and the unpredictability of live theatre, and you’ve got the ingredients for what sounds like a wildly entertaining night out. Limelight Theatre’s latest production is Cluedo, a stage adaptation of the beloved board game that transforms the familiar mystery into a laugh out loud theatrical experience full of twists, misunderstandings, and theatrical chaos. We find out what's in store in this murderously funny show from Limelight Theatre's Creative Directors Joe Wyatt and Nikki Brown.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Much Ado About Nothing 24.04.2026 24m

A story of love, misunderstandings, and razor-sharp wit, Much Ado About Nothing remains one of Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies. This year, KL Shakespeare Players brings it to life in a brand new way, setting the action in 1930s Penang as part of the group's 15th anniversary celebration. We find out how this classic is being reimagined with director Johnny Gillett, and cast member Lim Sheng Hui.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Islands 23.04.2026 28m

A chance encounter, a shared curiosity, and a journey across cultures have come together in Islands, a striking dance duet by Taiwanese choreographer Wang Yeu-kwn and Indonesian performer Danang Pamungkas. Featuring a mask, a massive shifting airbag, and a dialogue between two bodies shaped by different traditions, the work explores identity, balance, and what it means to connect beyond our own borders. With its Southeast Asian premiere happening right here in Kuala Lumpur, we speak to both artists about the story behind Islands, their collaboration, and what audiences can expect.Photo Credit: The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts CentreSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

KL Festival 2026 17.04.2026 32m

KL Festival 2026 lights up the city this May, bringing a mix of performances, installations, walks, and site-specific works across the city. From large-scale public events at Dataran to intimate shows in heritage spaces and creative hubs, the programme is designed to get audiences experiencing KL in new ways, under the theme “Memory and Tomorrow.” This year also marks a new chapter for the festival, with June Tan stepping in as Artistic Director for the first time, shaping the overall vision and direction of the programme. June joins us to share how she’s thinking about the festival as it unfolds across downtown Kuala Lumpur, and to walk us through what we can expect from the more than 80 multidisciplinary events and activations happening in the city over 26 days. The festival is organised by Think City, working with strategic partner Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ballet Illuminations 2026 16.04.2026 12m

A triple bill by Singapore Ballet is offering audiences a mix of classical and contemporary ballet, with works that range from technically demanding to more emotional and reflective. The programme for Ballet Illuminations 2026 includes Paquita, Evening Voices, and Shadow’s Edge, each bringing a very different style and mood to the stage. We catch up with Singapore Ballet’s Artistic Director Janek Schergen, to find out more. Image Credit: Photo by Bernie Ng, courtesy of Singapore Ballet & KLPACSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.