click here for an audio-visual look at the gig highlights

***for full gig listings jump to the bottom***

Greetings:

Thursday in Phnom Penh find the talent show Acoustic Battle #2 at River & Co., the jazz jam with George at The Deck, Hugo Marcellesi at Samai Rum Distillery and later on The Extraordinary Chambers at Oscar’s on the Corner.

Friday night in Phnom Penh there’s Cambodia Sound Base at Uraetei Lite, Vince Solomons at Botanico, PunchDrunk at The Tin Hat, Adam Marsland at Noisy Chili, Joshua Chiang at Cloud and Zakk Zoot at The Vine. Noel Woodrow is at Little Susie before leading a late night jam at Stories.  Later and louder, Frankie Teardrop Dead are at Hometown Hangout and The Extraordinary Chambers are at Oscar’s on the Corner.  In Kampot, Roberto Salgado is at The Bay, and in Siem Reap, Pablo & Carlos are at The Panthers Hut.

Saturday in Phnom Penh Packo’s Busking Kings are at The Deck, Miss Sarawan Duo are at at Khmer Funk Sky Bar, Matau is at Botanico, The Tuesday Welders Duo are at Chew & Bash and Mosaic (Mirasol, James, Jedil and Hansley) are at Noisy Chili.  Take Three (Raph, Gaby and Darvell) are at Au Marche and Two Country Drunks at Tropico.  For some metal check out After God plus Doch Chkae at Cloud, and for dance pop-rock Crash Boom Bang are at Oscar’s on the Corner.  On the coast, Melody & Joe are at The Wave: Kep West.

Come Sunday, Mirasoul are at The Vine, the Sunday Sundowners open mic is at Tacos Kokopelli, and later on Shaken Spirit are at Oscar’s on the Corner.  Also on Sunday, in the afternoon, the second of the Songwriter Sessions will be held at Java Creative Café, Tuol Tom Pong.

Looking into September, we will shortly be welcoming back to Cambodia visitors from India Nilimesh Chakraborty and Arnab Bhattacharya, under the name Rhythm of Ecstasy (dates listed at the bottom of this page), and also Siem Reap metal bar Atlantis has a number of touring acts coming through, some to be shared with Cloud in Phnom Penh.

Passing Chords – a few things you may not know about

Néstor García Joa, (stage name: Elnarra) pianist/vocalist/rapper/DJ/songwriter, born and raised in Cuba.  He plays frequently in Phnom Penh and Kep, both solo and in La Union, a Latin trio with his wife Lily and Phil Javelle.  He is also a DJ that set a bunch of dance floors on fire around town, including Can Can, Sora, Celeste Skybar and Metropole Undeground.

Do you have a pet musical hate?
I don’t have any pet musical hate, I like most music styles and taste is subjective, I respect all music creators, even those who I am not too interested in.

A private musical indulgence:
Despite my Cuban roots and all the happy music I listen to, such as salsa, bachata, reggaton, jazz, I like to treat myself with two very different kinds of music: first, classical, for relaxing moments, then indie and alternative rock, for the energy. Both open my mind to sounds I am not necessarily familiar with, it is very refreshing for my inspiration as a songwriter.

The year you first came to Cambodia:
My first time visiting Cambodia was in 2019. I was asked by Phil Javelle, a musician who has been here for quite a long time, to perform for his Cambo Latino Festival. He had already brought my wife Lilly for a few concerts in 2017 and I was myself eager to discover and entertain Phnom Penh.

An early music memory:
My early music memories are of course the Cuban lullabies from my childhood, but I discovered Afro-Cuban jazz when I was very young and I immediately loved it.

The last thing you had to eat:
My favorite Latin American dish: arroz congris. Arroz is the Spanish word for rice, in Cuba we eat as much rice as Cambodians do, it is also the basics of our food recipes, this one being brown rice with pork fricassee, red beans and salad (usually made with tomatoes or peppers and minced onion).

Stagefright – yes or no?
I am never scared to go on stage but I feel a great motivation inside because I am dedicated to satisfy the audience who came to see me.

A country you want to visit:
There are a few: Portugal, Spain and France for European ones, and Canada.

A book or movie you keep going back to:
I like horror and sci-fi movies, the Alien Trilogy being my all-time favorite. I love to read poetry, we have great poets in Latin America: José María Heredia, Pablo Neruda, and of course Cuban Juan Antonio Frías.

What languages do you have?
I speak Spanish, my native language, I’m improving my English here, and I used to speak some Vietnamese as I spent more than a decade in Vietnam.

Your primary instrument, and when you started playing it:
My first instrument was percussion, I started to play at the age of eight, at school. In Cuba, music courses are mandatory for everyone, we all receive a complete training in classical and ethnic music, in addition to general studies. When I turned twelve I chose to learn the piano, which I have been playing until now.

Something people might be surprised to know about you:
Despite my passion for entertainment and my family life, I savour solitary moments. I need my personal space in which I can meditate, refresh my mind and find new ideas to improve my skills and knowledge.

You have a time machine and a magic ticket to one gig or festival in the past. What do you choose?
I will go straight to Cancún, México to see Celia Cruz‘s concert at the Maya Festival in 1999. It was the most fantastic show that I ever watched in video, I would give anything to see it for real!

A question from the last participant: When, if ever, and under what circumstances, did you consider throwing in the towel and quitting music altogether?
We musicians all go through tough times but I was lucky enough to evolve with music trends and audiences. If I had no music job at all I could make a living being an electrician, it is the profession I learned before I chose to be a professional performer. But I am not ready to give up on my passion, not at all.

Thanks to Phil Javelle for facilitating this mini-profile.

Department of New Releases

Now in store at SPACE FOUR ZERO is the latest release from Pearl of Asia Records, Groove Club Number 5: Sinn Sisamouth.  The new 180 gram blue vinyl version – numbered copies in a limited edition of 500 – is exclusive to Cambodia, and comes with a 16 page booklet, featuring interviews with Sisamouth’s widow and granddaughter.  The tracks include Cheang Kat Sak Day Ek (Haircut Talent), Nov Teh Sralanh (Still Loving You) and Phally, Phally, mixing up solo releases with duets with Ros Sereysothea.  A real treat for lovers of the Cambodian Golden Era.  Tony says:  “We’re super excited and proud of this release. I hope everyone enjoys it and hopefully more people get turned on to Cambodian music and the great Sinn Sisamouth.”

Department of Mutual Support:  Friends of LengPleng

 

    

 

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Steve Porte Photo of the Week

Choice of socks, as long as they’re black and white – Checkered Past at Oscar’s on the Corner on Saturday 23 August 2025

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See you around the traps.
your correspondent,

 

 

Guillermo Wheremount
LengPleng.com
gigs@lengpleng.com (mailto:gigs@lengpleng.com

 

Weekly Gig Guide – week commencing Thursday 28 August 2025

** residency/weekly

For DJs and clubs, we recommend Phnom Penh Underground

Thursday

Friday

Saturday                                                             

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

*Note that Wednesday events are often not announced until early in the week – check back here for updates*

  • Coming soon:
    Friday 5 September

    Saturday 6 September

    Sunday 14 September

    • In the Park #2 featuring Alli G, 6 pm, Koh Nerea
    • Piano recital by James Napoleon Lai, 7 pm, Raffles Le Royal – note ticketed event

    Friday 19 September

    Tuesday 23 September

    Saturday 27 September

    International touring artists in September: 

    Rhythm of Ecstasy (Nilimesh & Arnab) (IN)

    Scotty Austin (US)
    Formerly of Saving Abel

    • Friday 18, 8.30 pm, Atlantis (Siem Reap)

    Soundmakers (VN)
    “For nearly 20 years, they have explored analog, digital, and hybrid real-time feedbacks, delivering unpredictable and dynamic live performances. Using custom software and an analog mixer, they creates unique sounds tailored to each venue.  They have curated festivals and events across Europe and Asia, collaborating with film, dance, and visual arts. Based in Hanoi, Vietnam, they continues to connect with sound makers worldwide.”

    • Tuesday 23, 8.30 pm, Atlantis (Siem Reap)
    • Wednesday 24, 8.30 pm, Cloud

    Noturnall (BR), Illusion Force (JP), Dream Spirit (CH)

    • Thursday 25, 8.30 pm, Atlantis (Siem Reap)
By Weekly Wrap