Five original songs, 10 Malaysian artists, and a nationwide live music tour come together as Jameson Distilled Sounds returns with its most ambitious local programme yet.
Malaysia’s live music scene continues to gather momentum, and Jameson Distilled Sounds is adding another interesting chapter to that story with the return of its collaborative music initiative. Back for 2026, the programme places the spotlight firmly on original Malaysian music, commissioning five brand-new tracks written and performed by pairs of local artists who might never otherwise have crossed creative paths.
Rather than simply sponsoring a series of concerts, the initiative encourages musicians from different genres and backgrounds to work together, with the resulting songs debuting live during a nationwide tour before culminating in a showcase event in Kuala Lumpur.
This year’s edition features ten Malaysian artists across five collaborations, with each pairing bringing a different flavour to the project.
Among them are indie-pop artist LANG and electronic pop vocalist JAIE, whose collaboration blends catchy melodies with an easy-going groove. Su San, known for her cinematic dark-pop sound, joins forces with C-pop-influenced singer Jeantonic for Never Quite Like You, a track that combines polished pop with subtle dance elements.
R&B and jazz influences come through in Think Too Much, a collaboration between neo-soul vocalist Jo Lixian and Q Sound, principal trombonist of the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra. Their track layers smooth vocals with warm brass arrangements to create a laid-back listening experience.
The remaining collaborations featuring Mister Two Five, Murty, Laura Munan, and other rising names continue the programme’s emphasis on crossing stylistic boundaries while showcasing the breadth of local talent.
According to Pooi Wan Liew, Head of Marketing at Pernod Ricard Malaysia, the goal extends well beyond putting artists on stage.
“This year, we wanted to go beyond giving artists a stage. Commissioning five original tracks means these collaborations live on long after the night ends – and that is exactly what Jameson Distilled Sounds stands for. We believe in Malaysian music, and this tour is our way of bringing that belief to music fans across the country.”
A PROGRAMME BUILT AROUND COLLABORATION
While music festivals and showcase gigs are hardly new, Jameson Distilled Sounds attempts something slightly different by making the creative process itself part of the story.
Leading this year’s programme is Saint Kylo, who represented Malaysia at Jameson Distilled Sounds in Ireland in 2025. There, he worked alongside Dublin-based musician Skinner under the mentorship of Grammy Award-winning artist Anderson .Paak, writing and recording original material as part of the global initiative.
Bringing that experience back home, Saint Kylo hosts an exclusive digital content series featuring all five Malaysian collaborations. Available through the Jameson Malaysia platform, the series explores the songwriting process, studio sessions, creative differences, and the conversations that ultimately shaped each track.
The live tour itself spreads across several of Kuala Lumpur’s independent music venues, helping place local artists in more intimate settings where audiences can connect directly with the performances.
The tour schedule includes:
- May 8 – Lot.TwentyTwo featuring LANG x JAIE, with special guest Crinkle Cut
- May 15 – Luna Bistro featuring Jo Lixian, with special guest Skipper
- May 22 – Yue by Shill 90s featuring Laura Munan, with special guest Soft Soft Pillow
- May 30 – Asap by Lye featuring Mister Two Five x Murty, with special guest TY
- June 5 – Jao Tim featuring Su San x Jeantonic, with special guest Mumbo Jumbo
Several of the performances will include the debut of the newly commissioned collaborative tracks, giving audiences a first opportunity to hear them performed live.
THE TOUR ENDS WITH A FINAL SHOWCASE
The programme concludes on June 13 with Jameson Distilled Sounds Wrapped at Voxlive KL, bringing together all five lead artists – Mister Two Five, Laura Munan, SuSan, LANG, and Jo Lixian – for individual headline sets before reuniting for a collective closing performance.
Saint Kylo will also take the stage, effectively bringing his international Jameson experience full circle while closing out the evening.
For fans wanting to secure priority access, Jameson has introduced a limited-edition ticket package available through participating retail outlets and the tour venues themselves. Those qualifying for Priority Tickets receive early access benefits along with a commemorative Jameson Wrapped cassette and portable cassette player, a nod to the growing global revival of analogue music culture.
General admission registrations for the final Kuala Lumpur event are also available, with organisers encouraging music fans to register online in advance.
Launched globally in 2024, Jameson Distilled Sounds has expanded into a worldwide platform connecting emerging artists across genres and countries. The Malaysian edition reflects that broader mission while focusing squarely on homegrown talent, providing opportunities for musicians to collaborate, perform, and create original work that extends beyond a single night’s performance.
For local audiences, it also offers something increasingly welcome in today’s music scene: original songs, intimate venues, and a chance to discover artists before they become household names.
Follow Jameson Malaysia on social media for artist updates and tour announcements.
For more information and event registrations, visit:
https://www.jamesonwhiskey.com/en/jameson-distilled-sounds-malaysia-2026-finale/
Jameson Malaysia Website:
https://jame.sn/distilled-sounds
