Leng Pleng

We began the first full year of live music performances since 2019 with a strong Cambodian showing in the Radio Oun Top 100 Songs of All Time poll for 2021.  The top 23 songs were Cambodian-related.  This year the nomination rate is even higher, with 72 different Cambodian-related tracks out of 100.  Several campaigns are underway to get out the vote for individuals – be sure to vote with your conscience.  Bragging rights for the number one position will be dispersed in the late afternoon of New Year’s Eve.  This year’s Top 100 is boosted, of course, by many new Cambodian-related releases in the last 12 months, including Checkered Past, Ariane Parkes, Jet Odrerir, Professor Kinski, Joshua Chiang, and The Wildmen, and Ernie Buck.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

January saw Japan Guitar Shop top the inaugural (and possibly only ever) Khmer Nights 2021 Live Band of Year readers’ poll, edging out their comrades Uncomfortably White Brothers, Little Thieves, Joe & the Jumping Jacks and First World Problems.

This year we’ve welcomed the return of Geography of the Moon, Billy Page, Moisty Atsushi, and Miserable Man to the touring circuit, as well as newcomer Big D Walker who quickly made his way into new band The Ghostboosters and get involved with older band The Blue Souls.

Significant events during the year included The Secret Garden concert at Sofitel, Laneway Fest at Palace Lane, Nestacy Festival and Nestival at Nest Beach Club on Koh Rong, International Jazz Day and Breathe festivals at Treellion Park, Vinestock at The Vine and Oktoberfest at Factory.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notably there was a considerable of touring between Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Kampot – The Blue Wave, Jam-Cha, Son Sabor Latin Trio, The Broken Cymbal, Intan Andriana, Los Primos, Kampot Playboys, Graham Cain and Joe & the Jumping Jacks were all doing highway runs.  Further afield, Cambodia Country Band and Nightmare AD traveled to Malaysia and Vietnam respectively.

We said farewell to The Schkoots, Professor Kinski, Stan Paleco, The Goldilocks Zone, Little Thieves, 12ME, The Uncomfortably White Brothers and Ernie Buck (again), but at the same time there were many new bands formed, among them Funky Chicken, 4Riel, Skin & Strings, Temple, Scapegoat Candy and blender, and significant line-up and stylistic changes for acts such as The Broken Cymbal, Los Primos and Spiked Gravy, while Alli G created TheQuilas, a more fluid and multi-media based collective.  Established acts such as Khmer Magic Music Bus, Miss Sarawan, Mimi and the Merrymakers, The Extraordinary Chambers, and The Blue Souls keep the beat strong – and a special mention to Joe & the Jumping Jacks, the longest running barang rock’n’roll act in Cambodia, who will be celebrating ten years of music in 2023.

Besides their daily dose of some of the best bands in the country, Oscar’s on the Corner hosted two terrific tribute events, JJ Cale and Bob Dylan, bringing together players from different parts of the scene, and Sunset Boulevard held a series of Original Artist Showcases to highlight local singer-songwriters.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tributes at Oscar’s on the Corner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Original songs at Sunset Boulevard

Applause for all the hard working musicians in Cambodia – Leng Pleng acknowledges your efforts even if you weren’t mentioned above.  Upward and onward!

We look forward to 2023 – more inbound and outbound touring; new players, new bands and new venues; more integrations and more collaborations; and, always, more women on stages.