THE popular South by Southwest (SXSW) conference and festival series, held annually in Austin, Texas in the United States, had its inaugural spinoff — SXSW Sydney — from Oct 15-22 in Australia.
For two days in the bustling Aussie city — Oct 19 and 20 — 13 music acts from Indonesia, Korea and Malaysia were able to perform during the Touchdown Under showcase, as part of the music segment of SXSW Sydney.
The melodious vibes and groovy rhythms of Malaysia kept music fans entertained on Oct 20, during the free event from 1pm to 8pm.
Amid an appreciative crowd, the music of raging rap rock outfit Pop Shuvit, indie powerhouse Hujan and new talent Yuji proved that music does transcend boundaries.
Set against the iconic backdrop of Sydney's skyline, the performances kicked off in the evening with Yuji's set.
The young and emerging R&B artiste with a soulful voice was accompanied by the musicians from Pop Shuvit.
Yuji, whose hit song Old Love earned a 'Malaysia Book of Recordsʼ entry for the Most Streams of A Spotify Song in July, expressed his stories of love, life and dreams through his songs.
He performed five tracks, including a surprise duet with Malaysian singer-songwriter Lunadirah.
She was featured on the German music platform ColorXStudio's YouTube channel earlier this year.
Pop Shuvit then took to the stage to turn up the heat with its unique blend of funky, eclectic beats and hard-hitting riffs.
The MTV Asia Awards nominee, which has been around for more than 20 years, has shared a stage with the likes of American rock outfit My Chemical Romance as its official Asian tour support.
It was no surprise that Pop Shuvit was able to get listeners on their feet as they danced to the eight-song set showcasing the band's versatility and prowess.
There was a special moment when Emmett from iconic Malaysian rock group Butterfingers took to the stage.
The charismatic frontman collaborated with Pop Shuvit to deliver the Butterfingers' classic,
Vio-Pipe as well as a new Pop Shuvit song Space Between Us, which features guitarist Ray Toro of My Chemical Romance, who also produced the number.
Pop Shuvit ended its set with the crowd favourite, Marabahaya.
Local indie darling Hujan was up next and the band performed a series of its hit songs for a full hour.
Playing with energy and passion, the band led by frontman Noh Salleh not only won the hearts of Malaysian fans but also left a lasting impression on the Australians by the time they ended the set with Aku Skandal.
The Touchdown Under showcase was not just a platform for artistes from the region to showcase their talent but also a celebration of the rich tapestry of sounds that resonate across borders.
The event was presented by China's Concrete & Grass Music Festival, which was established in 2015, and Asia's biggest label group, YEG Music.
Other music acts during the showcase were Isyana Sarasvati, GAC, Hindia, Nadin Amizah, Owen, Marv, Feby Putri, Ardhito Pramono, Soegi Bornean and Adhitia Sofyan.