Music Matters Live marks its 21st anniversary with four free nights at CQ @ Clarke Quay on 2 to 4 October and 7 October 2026, packing more than 40 emerging artists from 15 countries onto the Mainstage and nearby venues.
Shows centre on the Mainstage at Fountain Square, with extra sets in other CQ spaces. Admission is free. The festival runs alongside Grand Prix Season Singapore and the All That Matters conference later in the week.
Who is playing
Headliners and showcase names include the Philippines’ Lola Amour, KAIA and pix!e, Japan’s KID PHENOMENON and LIL LEAGUE from EXILE TRIBE, Malaysia’s DOLLA, New Zealand’s Borderline, Mexico’s Bratty, Australia’s Pierce Brothers and Flynn Gurry, China’s Runyu Qian, and Singapore acts such as St. Humain, Haneri, Ishbel Warifa, Supercatkei and Syaz Smooth.
Night-by-night shape
Friday, 2 October, opens the run on the Mainstage. Saturday, 3 October, from 4pm brings MadeIN Nagaland, MadeIN Philippines and MadeIN Japan to the Mainstage. The same evening, a Sounds Australia showcase runs at BLACKBIRD from 6pm, with Pierce Brothers, Lola Amour, Ishbel Warifa, Sunflower Tape Machine, St. Humain and Peach Fuzz.
Sunday, 4 October, hosts Universal Music’s Music Is Universal from 4pm with DOLLA, LYHAN, Marbles, VVV and XONARA, then Sounds Australia on the Mainstage from 6.30pm.
Wednesday, 7 October, closes the run with Girls’ Night Out, produced with It’s A Girl Thing, with Bratty, Maisha Kanna, Lucy Sugerman and SARINA on the bill.
