Studio Monkey Shoulder LIVE Brings Independent Music Culture Across Jakarta
In collaboration with Gilles Peterson, Worldwide FM, and Radio Rumah Oma, the Southeast Asian music series arrives in Jakarta with a city-spanning program of independent sounds, creative communities, and cocktails.
Monkey Shoulder is bringing Studio Monkey Shoulder LIVE to Jakarta, extending its support for independent music communities through a program that connects local talent, creative collectives, venues, and audiences across the city.
Running from August through September 2026, the Jakarta edition is part of a two-month journey across four Southeast Asian cities. The series is built around a simple idea: meaningful music culture grows from the communities that shape it. Rather than imposing a single format, each stop is developed with local collaborators who understand the city from within.
For Jakarta, Monkey Shoulder joins forces with Gilles Peterson and his international radio platform Worldwide FM, with the local program curated by Radio Rumah Oma. Together, the collaborators spotlight the energy and diversity of Jakarta’s evolving underground music scene, bringing established names, emerging artists, and independent communities into one shared program.
A Program Built Around Jakarta
Studio Monkey Shoulder LIVE moves through several venues, each offering a different perspective on the city’s music culture. The program spans soul, funk, disco, house, and global sounds at Bartiga and HATS Bar, followed by a deep-listening session with Audio Nirvana at Chris Bunjamin Studio, before culminating in a high-energy finale at ZOO.
The lineup brings together a broad mix of artists and collectives, including Adittole, Adrian, Alfi Raynaldi, Azka H, Farhan Ali, Figi Kraw, Gilangfitzz, Hendra, Hogi Wirjono, Iqbal Djoha, DJ Kamen Sens, DJ Klapr, Komzta, Kumyka, Leno Rei, Mayo, Nabil, Patsy, Phillip Ponk, Rini, Sun Go Sound, Vita & Vanessa, alongside FEVER SOUNDSYSTEM, Future10, KLAB73 SOUNDSYSTEM, Norrm, POPPIN’ CLASS, and Radio Rumah Oma.
Gilles Peterson’s involvement adds an international perspective to the project. Known for championing genre-crossing music and emerging talent through BBC Radio 6 Music, Brownswood Recordings, Worldwide Festival, We Out Here, and Worldwide FM, Peterson has long worked at the intersection of independent music, radio, and cultural discovery.
That philosophy aligns closely with Radio Rumah Oma, the Jakarta-based digital radio platform founded in 2020. Rooted in freeform radio culture, the collective has built a space where music, conversation, events, and talent can meet without losing the intimacy of a local community.
“DIY music culture is built on an exchange of ideas, and that is the essence of Studio Monkey Shoulder LIVE.” — Gilles Peterson
The Blend as a Creative Idea
At the heart of the series is Monkey Shoulder’s idea of ‘the Blend’ – a reference to the brand’s blended malt whisky and, more broadly, to the way distinct characters can come together to create something new. In Jakarta, that idea is translated into music, with artists, venues, collectives, bartenders, and audiences contributing their own identities to a shared experience.
Radio Rumah Oma describes music as the starting point rather than the only reason people stay. The collective sees the best nights as those shaped by conversation, unexpected encounters, and the simple act of strangers becoming friends. That sense of connection runs through the Jakarta program, where the music is designed to open the door to a wider exchange of ideas and energy.
Cocktails Designed for the Soundtrack
The drinks program follows the same approach. Monkey Old Fashioned serves as the signature cocktail, while bartenders at each venue are encouraged to interpret the occasion in their own way. The intention is for the drinks to feel integrated with the atmosphere rather than separate from it – easy to enjoy between sets, during conversations, and across the changing rhythm of each night.
Brendon Khoo, SEA Regional Brand Ambassador for Monkey Shoulder, notes that cocktails and music share an ability to bring people together. Studio Monkey Shoulder LIVE builds on that common ground by placing craft, local venues, and community at the center of the experience.
About Monkey Shoulder
Born in Speyside, Scotland, Monkey Shoulder is a blended malt whisky created from selected Speyside single malts in small batches. Its flavor profile combines citrus, creamy vanilla, and warming ginger, with a style designed to work both neat and in classic cocktails such as the Monkey Old Fashioned.
The brand was ranked third among the Top Trending Scotch Whisky Brands in Drinks International’s Brands Report 2025.
Studio Monkey Shoulder LIVE takes place in Jakarta from August to September 2026. More information is available via Monkey Shoulder Indonesia and @monkeyshoulder on Instagram.
Related
TUMI Introduces Fall/Winter 2026 Collection with Alpine Chalet Pop-Up at Pondok Indah Mall 2, Jakarta
TUMI introduces its Fall/Winter 2026 collection in Jakarta with an Alpine Chalet Pop-Up at Pondok Indah Mall 2, blending modern travel, alpine-inspired design, craftsmanship, and contemporary luxury.
Studio Monkey Shoulder LIVE Brings Independent Music Culture Across Jakarta
Studio Monkey Shoulder LIVE arrives in Jakarta from August to September 2026, connecting local artists, creative collectives, venues and audiences through a city-wide celebration of independent music.
An Evening With Embers Open-Fire Grill & Lark
Embers Open-Fire Grill at Swissôtel Living Jakarta Mega Kuningan teams up with LARK Single Malt for a three-course dining experience pairing open-fire cuisine with Tasmanian whisky.
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Enjoy exclusive special deals available only to our subscribers.
