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

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

Greetings:

As usual on a Thursday night in Phnom Penh there’s a  choice of jam sessions with rock at Factory Phnom Penh and jazz at Tape Deck.   Miss Sarawan is at Rust, The Man In White is at Little Susie and later on Montra are at Oscar’s on the Corner celebrating the birthday of singer Tep Modyka.  In Siem Reap, Pepe & Melissa at The Pizza Garden.

On Friday in Phnom Penh Phnom Penh Symphony Orchestra hold their eighth annual concert at NABA Theatre at NagaWorld2 with guest conductors and soloists.  Elsewhere Rom Romvong Trio are at Khmer Funk Sky Bar, Greg Beshers is at The Vine, Ethereal Journey (Mirasol & James) are at Hunt, The Playful Minds are at Botanico and Phil Javelle at Riva.  Later and louder The Extraordinary Chambers celebrate Greg’s birthday at Oscar’s on the Corner.  In Siem Reap, Rain & Anita are at The Panthers Hut, Kiko is at The Pizza Garden, and there’s an open mic at Sojourner House.

Saturday night in Phnom Penh find Jam Church at Motodop, John Peter at Botanico, and Cardboard Lo-Fi join the second anniversary celebrations at Oasis Pub & Inn (location of the former Sundance Inn & Saloon).  A full band version of Rom Romvong are at Oscar’s on the Corner, and Ace hosts an after gig open mic at Stories by Little Susie.  On the coast, Stu Cottom is at POC Restaurant in Kep, and in Siem Reap, Sticky Tentacles have their first birthday party at Laundry, while violinist Elena is at The Pizza Garden.

Come Sunday in Phnom Penh, Two Country Drunks are at Motodop, Scott Bywater hosts the Sunday Sundowners open mic at Tacos Kokopelli, Greg Beshers is at Hunt and Left Turn Lane return to Oscar’s on the Corner.

Department of Recruitment

Cameron Smith has called to our attention that plans are afoot to build a community concert band in Phnom Penh: Bassac Wind Band.  “If you play, have ever played or would like to play, this could be for you. The concept is a band for players of all ages and abilities. Join the group and we can help you to refresh your old skills or achieve the goal of playing with an ensemble.”  An introductory session will be held at Tape Deck on September 5.  More information here. 

Passing Chords – a few things you may not know about

Lue Thy, the singer with Rom Romvong, a trio with Alli G and Pervez Gulzar, playing Khmer and western songs – funk, rock and reggae.  “Seamlessly blending traditional local rhythms with global iconic hits, the band crafts a distinct hybrid sound driven by acoustic guitar, cajón, and dynamic electric percussion pads. Rom Romvong turns every set into an infectious, cross-cultural dance party tailored for diverse international and local audiences alike.”  Her first professional singing experience was with the Bokor Mountain Magic Band with CSP alumni; she is also well known for working at The Deck in Tuol Tom Pong.  Rom Romvong will play this Friday at Khmer Funk Sky Bar, and then augment with the rhythm section of Damani and Jedil on Saturday for a show at Oscar’s on the Corner.

A private musical indulgence:

Singing.  My family don’t want me to sing on the stage, they think it’s embarrassing.  When I say I’m going to perform they say: who’s going to watch that?  They say: your voice is like a cow, a horse!  But I want to do it and they cannot stop my dream.

When did you first leave Cambodia:

I went to Vietnam for my sister’s wedding.  Actually my family is from Kampuchea Krom, but I don’t speak Vietnamese.  I’ve also been to Thailand.

An early music memory:

I remember when I was a child I would climb a tree and sit there singing – songs like Pkar Kabas.  I didn’t know what the songs meant but I loved to sing them.

The last thing you had to eat:

Spicy Chinese noodles.

Stagefright – yes or no?

Just last Saturday, Rom Romvong had a gig for Singapore Independence Day, I was so nervous I could not sleep the night before, my mind could not relax at all.  It wasn’t a bar or restaurant, it was a big stage on the riverside.  So many people!  After a few songs I settled down and focused on winning over the audience, making my band more popular.  And I got people on to the stage to sing with me, and that made me so happy.  Now I want to do it again!

A country you want to visit:

Switzerland, Germany, Netherlands, USA, France.  Also I’d like to go to Japan, Singapore.

A book or movie you keep going back to:

In high school I loved to read love stories, and history.  I like the Disney princess movies with long-haired ladies.

What languages do you have?

My mother tongue is Khmer.  And some English.

Your primary instrument, and when you started playing it:

My voice.  I’ve been singing since I was about five or six.  My daughter Crystal started to sing when she was three!  She likes to copy me, like my song called Strong Girl.

Something people might be surprised to know about you:

I can be recognised by just my laugh.  One time I was singing at Sabada, a bar on the first floor in Bassac Lane.  Some people came upstairs saying they heard my laugh from the street.

You have a time machine and a magic ticket to one gig or festival in the past. What do you choose?

I would love to see Pen Ron and Ros Sereysothea perform, their voices are so beautiful.   I can’t sing in their keys, I have to change keys to sing their songs.  Also I would love to see Amy Winehouse.

A question from the last participant: what is the one skill you wish you could have instantly?

To play the tro, a Cambodian traditional instrument, it has such emotion.  I’ve tried it before but my fingers really hurt.

 

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Steve Porte Photo of the Week

Daisuke Yasukochi rocking out at Motodop at A Swingin’ Reunion, Wednesday 12 August 2026

 

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Musicians, venues, punters:  if there are things you know that LengPleng should know, please tell us and we’ll do our best to tell the world.

See you around the traps.
your correspondent,

 

 

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

 

Weekly Gig Guide – week commencing Thursday 13 August 2026

** residency/weekly

Thursday

 

Friday

 

Saturday                                                            

 

Sunday


Monday


Tuesday

 

Wednesday

 

Coming soon:   

Friday 21 August


Saturday 22 August


Sunday 23 August


Friday 28 August


Sunday 30 August

  • Wayfarer State and Skip Cormack, 3 pm, Motodop


Friday 4 September

  • Joshua Chiang & the Dropping Shoes, 8 pm, Laundry (Siem Reap)

 

Friday 11 September


Saturday 19 September

By Weekly Wrap