Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) has harnessed its extensive range of audio offerings through its newly launched free digital audio streaming app, Awedio. To reach out to a wider digital audience, the platform provides all-day local entertainment with uninterrupted live streaming of SPH Radio stations, SPH news publications’ audio offerings, and local podcasts.

Apart from tuning in to SPH Radio stations (MONEY FM 89.3, ONE FM 91.3, Kiss92 FM, 96.3好FM, and UFM100.3) live, users who missed their favourite radio shows and segments can also catch up via the stations’ podcasts on demand.

In addition, Awedio delivers original and exclusive local podcasts, with topics ranging from health, entertainment, true crime, supernatural phenomena, and even bedtime stories for children through 'The Land before Bedtime’ podcast narrated by radio personalities Tim Oh, Carol Smith, Desiree Lai, Angelique Teo and Charmaine Phua.

Listeners can also stay up-to-date with current affairs, lifestyle, local and international news, business and personal finance by listening to podcasts from The Straits Times, Lianhe Zaobao and The Business Times. This includes The Business Times’ Mark To Market and Berita Harian’s #NoTapis podcasts.

This new feature is significant as SPH Radio’s podcast numbers have seen a twofold increase in 2020, showing a growth in audience who are interested not only in traditional linear radio programming, but also non-linear on-demand quality audio content.

Designed around consumers’ preferences and consumption habits, the app offers users the following key features: Easy podcast discovery: Onboarding screens and intuitive categorisation allow users to do a quick search on available podcasts based on topics of interest. Push notifications: Listeners will be notified just before their favourite radio show is starting, or when a new episode of their favourite podcast show is released. Podcast downloads: Favourite podcasts can be downloaded to reduce mobile data usage and queued on users’ devices for listening on the go. Seamless user experience: Registered users can manage their Queued, Downloaded Podcasts and 'Following’ content in one view. Sleep timer: The app turns the audio stream off at the desired time. Biometric login: Registered users with a mySPH account can log in seamlessly to enjoy exclusive features such as adding shows to queue and podcast downloads.

Users of the app can look forward to more features over the next few months. This includes the integration of social elements such as in-app messaging, uninterrupted access to the radio shows’ Facebook Live streams, the ability to cast audio on other broadcast devices and more.

The app is now available for download on the App Store and Google Play.

Mr Sim Hong Huat, General Manager of SPH Radio, said: "The pandemic has brought about a resurgence in national pride and digital content consumption, and Awedio certainly fits the bill in paying homage to the local culture with its hyperlocal digital audio content. The team is constantly devising ways to enrich our users’ experience and will continue to deliver value to our unwavering base of listeners and advertisers."

The countdown has started for the Borneo Jazz Festival Virtual Journey to be held from 25-27 June 2021 from 6pm to 7.30pm.

BJF 2021 will be a combination of flashbacks to past musical acts that performed at BJF as well as original pre-recorded sessions and interviews with renowned jazz musicians from Sarawak and around the world.

Viewers will be serenaded by a string of jazz musicians including Clinton Jerome Chua, O-Ha Soul Band, Nisa Addina, Borneo Jazz Talent Search 2018 winner Ta'Dan and the "Prince of Borneo" himself - Pete Kallang.

Meanwhile, the BJF2021 Virtual Journey will also feature exclusive interviews with Singapore's 'King of Swing' and Asia's Jazz Superstar Jeremy Monteiro; Dave Brewer of Dave and the Doodaddies; and John Hammond.

"Covid-19 has shown us how important digital and social media has been for artists to reach out to their audiences and maintain their fan-following throughout the pandemic. After more than a year of watching the international entertainment industry, among others, innovate on how to reach out to their target groups, we look forward to seeing fans and new audiences embrace the Borneo Jazz Festival 2021 Virtual Journey," said Sarawak Tourism Board CEO Sharzede Datu Hj Salleh Askor.

"With the BJF 2021 now bringing the Virtual Journey into people's homes through the Borneo Jazz Festival platform, TVS and Shopee Live there could be more new audiences and jazz lovers locally and from around the world," she said.

Through the virtual platform on www.jazzborneo.com, viewers can watch the performances, interviews and flashbacks as well as engage in conversation with other online users throughout the 90-minute events.

Borneo Jazz Festival (BJF) will be viewable on www.jazzborneo.com, TVS and on Shopee Live.

Registrants to the BJF platform will be eligible for the contest giveaways to be held during the virtual events, where you can win free tickets to next year's festivals, discounts to selected hotels, event merchandise and much more.

Viewers can also enjoy the show on TVS, Sarawak's very own tv station on Astro (Channel 122) and BJF's Official Broadcast Partner.

Grab is the Official Delivery Partner for BJF. Those who register and access the musical events on www.jazzborneo.com will be able to order food and receive discounts with a special promo code.

With Shopee named as the Official E-commerce Partner, the virtual experience will also be streamed via Shopee Live, giving access to millions of households across the country to enjoy the showcase from the comforts of their own homes.

Sarawak Tourism Board has opened an official store on Shopee to feature merchandise from BJF. This includes BJF Limited Edition T-shirts, Limited Edition Batik Linut Face Mask, Limited Edition Printed Batik Face Mask, and other attractive products.

About Sarawak

A kaleidoscope of culture, adventure, nature, food and festivals: is the best description for Sarawak. Sarawak comprises 27 ethnic tribes with their own unique traditions, lifestyles, music and food, while sharing their warm hospitality. Malaysia's largest state, Sarawak, endowed with some of the oldest rainforests on Earth. Its vast landscape spans over 120,000 sq kms, with towering mountains and cool highlands, jagged limestone formations and mysterious cave systems, winding rivers and quiet beaches; where adventures are waiting to happen. Festivals are hosted throughout the year celebrate the eclectic blend of modern and traditional culture, food, music and religious practices that can be found nowhere else. In Sarawak, there is always 'More to Discover'.

About Sarawak Tourism Board

Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) is the key promoter for Sarawak. STB is a winner of the Asia Pacific Excellence Awards in 2018 and 2016 by Asia-Pacific Association of Communications Directors (APACD) and has received the ASEAN PR Excellence Award 2015 Gold Award. The Board also received the Travel Journal Awards in 2017 for 'Best for Nature' category at the ASEAN Tourism Forum. The Rainforest World Music Festival is a five-time Top 25 Best International Festivals recognised by Songlines world music magazine (2011-2015), The BrandLaureate World BestBrands Award "Destination Branding" (2019) and PATA Gold Award Marketing Travel Video winner "Why Limit Yourself" (2019).

Bigo Live Brings Music from the Streets to the Screen with the First Ever BIGO Busker Competition, Exploring the Infinite Possibilities of Art.

Busking is a significant part of Germany's vibrant street music culture. But with the COVID-19 pandemic putting a halt to live gigs and street performances, buskers are finding new ways to engage audiences digitally. This May, Bigo Live Germany will be holding its first BIGO BUSKER Competition, aiming to provide an avenue for street artists to showcase their talent on the global live streaming platform.

All buskers in Germany are invited to participate in the BIGO BUSKER Competition, with the recruitment season starting in May 2021. Buskers will be given the opportunity to stage a one-hour live show to garner more exposure. As part of the competition, each performer will have an eight minutes period for self-introduction, talent showcase and self-promotion, followed by two minutes of support and jury time. Participants can also join in the Bigo Live Busker Online Concert, held in the live house once a month.

As a leading live streaming platform globally, Bigo Live is shaping up to be a diverse and inclusive medium that empowers ordinary people and artists on a broader virtual scale, beyond geographical restrictions.

No longer a niche market for gamers, live streaming is changing the way street busking is consumed as an art form, and this rising trend is unlikely to slow down even after lockdown measures are eased. Not limited to just music, Bigo Live also welcomes all creators across a variety of verticals, including dance, fitness, DJ'ing and more, to join their supportive in-app environment.

"Bigo Live has a wide international fanbase. I was surprised to find out that I can connect with people worldwide," said Cea (Bigo id: 731973559), a broadcaster in the local busking community. "Live streaming is a great alternative for street artists since busking is not permitted due to COVID-19. It allows me to play music and get my name out to people that are not just limited to Germany."

Through Bigo Live, users can also discover like-minded communities where people share similar interests and hobbies. One such individual is Elan Zack (Bigo id: Elan. zack), an Indonesian-born broadcaster who moved to Germany and found friendship within the BIGO community. He said, "I have connected with many musician friends who also are from a similar background on this app. It is an amazing experience that I would have never had if not for Bigo Live."

The event also comes with some rewarding benefits. The top three winning participants will get to take home US$1,500, US$800 and US$400 in cash prizes, respectively. In addition, the winners will have the chance to perform on BIGO's official global live house, which will attract viewers from all around the world. As many buskers have had their income hit by the COVID-19 outbreak, this can serve as an alternative source of earnings to help them tide over this difficult period.

About Bigo Live

Bigo Live is a leading global live streaming platform where users can showcase their talents and interact with audiences worldwide in real-time. Launched in 2016, the app has seen massive popularity, with around 400 million users in more than 150 countries. Bigo Live is owned by BIGO Technology, one of the fastest-growing technology companies in Singapore.

Whatever genre you’re interested in, Singapore has a huge range of music venues to catch live performances from your favourite bands, or stumble upon early gigs from the Next Best Thing. From jazz and classical to rock and indie, you’ll be sure to find a new favourite venue to enjoy the music you love.

Maduro

Jazz fans will love the line up at this Dempsey Hill hangout (in photo), a hidden floor of an unassuming house in Tanglin. The bar and listening lounge here is the well-curated child of Peter Ng, a former jazz pianist and real estate broker who has created one of the most exclusive spaces to catch live jazz in Singapore. The venue is split into two spaces; a cosy jazz parlour that showcases the best in local talent, and a private space accessible by invite only. The music here is best accompanied by some of the alcoholic offerings created here, from traditional cocktails to one of the many classic whiskies stocked onsite.

Singapore Botanic Gardens

One of Singapore’s most peaceful music venues is the leafy slopes surrounding Symphony Lake in Singapore Botanic Gardens. The public space transforms into an open air concert venue on balmy nights, where performances are held on the Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage, which is located on a floating island in the middle of the lake. Concerts here are free, and feature a wide variety of high quality musicians. Future scheduled performances here range from Korean jazz, João Gilberto-inspired bossa nova and classic opera. There’s no more magical setting to experience talented performers than under the stars in this UNESCO-protected site.

Timbre@The Substation

Tucked away in the historic maze of streets around Armenian Street and next to beautiful Fort Canning Park, Timbre@The Substation is a live music venue that alternative music fans should make a beeline to. Housed in a charming shophouse, the venue has a casual and laid back vibe, and hosts live performances every night of the week, all celebrating local Singaporean talent. House bands 53A and Goodfellas ensure quality performances every day, while the open air area and ample greenery create a relaxed atmosphere. Stop here for a drink and bite to eat too, you can snack on truffle fries and buffalo wings to stay well fuelled.

Wala Wala Cafe & Bar

If you’re looking for a casual night out with great live music, Wala Wala Cafe & Bar in leafy Holland Village is a great place to visit. The venue also does great bar food, from their signature chicken wings to calamari, and wide selection of refreshing drinks. Head to the restaurant on the ground floor for dinner first, and then move up to the second floor when you’re ready for some live entertainment from the city’s best bands. What makes Wala Wala so special is its longevity - the joint has been running for more than 20 years, and holds a special place in the hearts of many Singaporeans, who remember coming here as teenagers. Performances here begin at 7pm from Monday to Friday, and from 9.30pm on Saturday and Sunday. The venue is a short walk from Holland Village MRT station.

Hood Bar and Café

If you like to enjoy music with a side helping of art, Hood Bar and Cafe is a venue you’ll love. Located in the historic City Hall area, on the fifth floor of quirky shopping mall Bugis+, this bar is open from Monday till Saturday and prides itself on booking independent and highly talented local musicians to grace its stage. Genres here cover a huge variety, from bossa nova and jazz, to soft rock and metal, but you can be sure that what unites the line-up here is original tunes from local singer-songwriters. You’ll also love the decor here - the walls are splashed with street art from talented locals. If you’re peckish, the menu covers a great range of locally inspired bar food - like their customer favourites, the “har cheong” chicken wings - juicy fried chicken wings that have been dipped in tangy prawn paste.