Sony's 2025 music talent showdown in KL via a karaoke contest will see the winner walk away with a one-year contract
And the search for the best singing talent is on. A major draw for this year's festival is the Sony Music Talent Showdown, where aspiring singers compete live via karaoke, and the winner will have the opportunity to sign a one-year recording contract with Sony Music Malaysia.
The singing competition will begin during the preliminaries on Saturday (July 26), and the final round will be held on Sunday.
According to Sony Music Entertainment Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, and Special Projects South-East Asia Managing Director Kenny Ong, the recording contract is a truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for aspiring singers where the company will handle everything from songwriting, song recording, to marketing and promotions.
'If the winner performs during that period, we might consider extending the contract,' Ong said during the festival launch.
"This is a ground where we welcome Malaysians to show off their talent and at the same time get a chance to make a name for themselves with Sony," said Kenny.
Veteran singer Naqiu is aomg the top judges for the singing competition. For the record, veteran singer Naqiu is also one of the chief judges for the singing competition.
Besides the once-in-a-lifetime singing competition, the ASR Festival 2025 also offers a lot for shopping fans,
Running from July 24 to 27, the four-day celebration promises a dynamic blend of live music, exclusive hotel deals, interactive activities and prize giveaways — all with free admission.
Organised by Ascott Malaysia, the festival is a highlight on the city's lifestyle calendar, attracting families, music lovers and savvy travellers alike.
This year's event sees major collaborations with Sony Music Malaysia, CIMB, Astro Rocketfuel, ShopBack and Jaecoo by Weststar, making it one of the most exciting editions to date.
Meanwhile, during the festival celebration period, mallgoers will also be entertained by performances from popular local artists, including Naqiu, Wany Hasrita, Kidd Santhe, Vanessa Reynauld, and Yulia, offering a front-row seat to Malaysia's rising musical talents.
In keeping with Ascott's hospitality focus, the festival features unbeatable travel promotions across its brands in Malaysia and South-East Asia.
Shoppers can unlock exclusive room deals, bonus rewards and flash sales, with additional perks available to ASR members. For non-members, on-site sign-ups unlock instant access to benefits like priority bookings, bonus points and giveaways.
Area General Manager Central Malaysia Sharon Ang described the festival as 'a celebration of lifestyle, community and travel', adding that the event reflects Ascott's vision of making travel more rewarding and accessible.
'Whether you're discovering new destinations or discovering new talent, the ASR Festival is where those journeys begin,' she said during the festival launch on July 24.
Beyond music and travel, Ang highlighted that ASR Festival 2025 delivers a fun-filled experience with interactive games, hourly lucky draws and a merchandise pop-up.
The excitement peaks during the 'Happy Hour Sales', where festival-goers can snag limited-time deals and surprise rewards.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
14 hours ago
- The Star
Malaysia celebrates the music of South-East Asia as 'KL Street Jam' kicks off in style at the city centre
The KL Street Jam 2025 kicked off with many Malaysians and tourists joining in the patriotic fervor at KL's Laman Jejak Pahlawan, Bulatan Dato' Onn on Saturday (Aug 2), in a special edition event in conjunction with Malaysia's 68th National Day celebration. Carrying the theme 'Merdeka Street Vibes,' this marks the first edition of the year and is produced by the Department of Culture, Arts, Tourism, and Sports (CATS) under the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL). Since its inception in 2013, KL Street Jam has become an open platform uniting hundreds of Malaysian artists—featuring both established names and those making comebacks in the local entertainment scene. This year's edition makes history as it debuts at a new venue — Laman Jejak Pahlawan, a public space within the Kuala Lumpur Heritage Corridor that is increasingly becoming a favourite destination for city dwellers and tourists alike. The vibrant evening showcased high-energy performances from a stellar lineup of artists. Haiza captivated the audience with songs like "Dag Dig Dug 3.0, Tanah Pusaka, and Penasaran". Maman (from Teachers' Pet) made an emotional return to the stage following the passing of his beloved wife, delivering heartfelt renditions of "Kasih Ku Pinjam Wajahmu, Cinta Kita, and Warisan Wanita Terakhir". Rock band Dr. Kronik lit up the stage with electrifying numbers such as "Hidup Hidup Dibakar, Zero to Hero, and Fanatik". The programme opened with a patriotic dance performance to Jalur Gemilang and Madani Jiwa Merdeka by DBKL Cultural Artists, accompanied by the DBKL Cultural Combo led by Tg Zainuddin. The charismatic host further enlivened the atmosphere, Nadia Hasnan, who engaged warmly with the audience throughout the evening. More than just a musical showcase, this event forms part of the strategic initiative WARISAN KL and the River of Life (ROL) project — both aimed at preserving heritage, activating public spaces, and shaping a distinctive urban cultural identity. DBKL envisions Laman Jejak Pahlawan as a permanent hub for community arts, cultural programs, and performances by institutions such as ASWARA, Universiti Malaya, UiTM, and various cultural NGOs. Strategically located, the venue is highly accessible from multiple directions via three main routes: 1. Route from Medan Selera D'Tebing (Jalan Raja) Visitors coming from Dataran Merdeka or Medan Pasar can take a scenic riverside walkway near Medan Selera D'Tebing. This path leads directly to a pedestrian tunnel that connects seamlessly to the Laman Jejak Pahlawan area. The walkway is peaceful and well-lit, adorned with artistic murals that add charm and vibrancy along the route. 2. Route from Jalan Sultan Salahuddin Ideal for visitors arriving from HQ Bank Rakyat or Sekolah Kebangsaan Sultan Hisamuddin Alam Shah, this dedicated pedestrian path leads directly into the landscaped grounds of Laman Jejak Pahlawan. It is especially suitable for families and tourists using nearby public transportation such as buses and MRT. 3. Route from Jalan Tun Perak (beside DBKL Building 1) Those coming from the city centre, especially via Masjid Jamek LRT Station, can walk along the side of the DBKL Building to access the Jejak Pahlawan corridor. This is one of the most convenient routes for those relying on public transport. Beyond music and cultural performances, the event was enriched by community participation and local vendors. Pushcart stalls offered light snacks and beverages, while nearby areas like D'Tebing saw increased footfall, contributing to the local economy and enhancing the festive atmosphere. The Merdeka edition of KL Street Jam 2025 is not merely an entertainment event — it is a celebration of local artistry and national pride. The next installment is scheduled for 23 August 2025, at 8:30 PM, at the same venue — promising another exciting night featuring an equally impressive lineup of performers.
The Star
16 hours ago
- The Star
Catch Malaysian film 'Angkat' in cinemas for just RM10; book before Aug 13
'Angkat' is set to start showing in cinemas on Aug 14. Photo: Feisk Productions/Instagram With cinema tickets becoming pricier, many Malaysians are hesitant to head to the big screen. But here's a deal that's hard to ignore: TGV Cinemas is offering RM10 tickets for the upcoming local film Angkat – that's half the usual price. This special promotion is available only until Aug 13 via the TGV app or website, and tickets can be redeemed once Angkat opens in selected cinemas nationwide on Aug 14. The dark comedy, produced by Feisk Productions and directed by Feisal Azizuddin, follows three estranged brothers who must transport their father's body back to their hometown for burial. When their van breaks down, the brothers are forced to carry their father on foot -- a journey that rekindles their bond and memories of the man who raised them. Producer Iskander Azizuddin shared via Instagram that this is the first time such an offer has been made for a Malaysian film. 'This is made possible through our collaboration with TGV Cinemas, who share our belief that local films should be accessible to all Malaysians,' he said.
Hype Malaysia
a day ago
- Hype Malaysia
Julie's & TudungPeople Showcases Semangat Malaysia With Limited-Edition Collab Collectable
This National Day, Julie's is teaming up with TudungPeople, a beloved local scarf brand, to celebrate 'Semangat Malaysia' through a creative collaboration that honours unity and the Malaysian heritage. Together, the two homegrown brands have created the Rasa Sayang collectible placemat, designed to bring a touch of Malaysia into every home. Created with both aesthetics and practicality in mind, the placemat design fuses Julie's beloved biscuit elements and TudungPeople's signature floral motifs. It is a stylish yet functional addition to any dining table, ideal for mealtimes, gatherings, or simply showcasing a little Malaysian pride at home. This collectable is available for redemption from now until 16th September, with the purchase of any two packs of Julie's Peanut Butter Sandwich 360g and/or Julie's Cheese Sandwich 336g in a single receipt. 'At Julie's, we believe in the power of coming together. This National Day, we are proud to join hands with TudungPeople to do just that. This collaboration brings together two beloved Malaysian brands in a cross-industry effort that celebrates unity, creativity, and cultural pride. The result is the creation of a placemat that is both beautiful and meaningful, a keepsake that honours our shared identity. We hope it inspires Malaysians to express their Semangat Malaysia in their own way,' said Tzy Horng Sai, Director of Julie's Biscuits. To add to the National Day campaign, this collaboration also includes a fun online-exclusive hand-drawn sticker sheet giveaway. Filled with adorable, Malaysia-inspired stickers like nasi lemak, the kebaya, and the Petronas Twin Towers, each sticker is beautifully designed with some Julie's biscuit elements and TudungPeople's signature floral touches. Whether you are decorating your notebooks, laptops, or phone cases, this cheerful sticker sheet gives a playful way to express your Malaysian pride. The sticker sheet is available exclusively online with any purchase of Julie's Peanut Butter Sandwich or Cheese Sandwich from Julie's official Shopee or Lazada store, with no minimum spend required. 'This collaboration is a celebration of who we are as Malaysians – a beautiful blend of stories, flavours, and joyful memories. Working with Julie's Biscuits, a brand so many of us grew up with, felt like the perfect way to bring that sense of unity and nostalgia to life through design,' says Fazrena Aziz, Founder of TudungPeople. In conjunction with this collaboration, the brand is also unveiling their Flavours Scarf Collection featuring 11 nostalgic prints, available from 6th August onwards. Celebrate the spirit of Malaysia and don't miss the chance to redeem these limited-edition placemat and sticker sheet made with love by two proud local brands. To get continuous updates on Julie's latest promotions, contests, and activities, visit Julie's website or follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
