Feedback Asia founder launches Asia’s first events guide

Priya Dewan, one of Billboard’s past Top 30 Movers and Shakers Under 30, has launched a curated events and festival guide for Asia.

The ex-North American Label Manager for Warped Records (Grizzly Bear, Flying Lotus, Aphex Twin), and ex-board member of the American Association of Independent Music (A2IM) is the founder of Asian-based booking agency Feedback Asia, and today launched Gig Life Asia.

Promoted as a portal for promoters and event organisers, Gig Life Asia boasts information about events and festivals, as well as about each destination: where to stay, eat, shop, catch transport etc, the language spoken, weather forecasts and currency. The site, touted as 'Asia's first highly-curated events and festival guide', also offers links to each events’ promotional multimedia platforms.

Gig Life Asia took 18 months to conceptualise and build and as part of Feedback Asia, the site works with a network of promoters on the curated content. Users will be offered discounts, promotions and special invites to pre and after-parties where and when possible.

Dewan, 33, who heads up the site from her office in Singapore, told TMN the site can be used as a resource for Australian promoters and artists: "Agents and artists in Australia can use Gig Life Asia to see where all the opportunities are to play/perform. Fans and festival-goers, on the other hand, can use it as a source of information to plan/have an affordable, exciting holiday at different destinations."

Dewan also said the curated information and recommendations are based on real-life experiences.

“I travel frequently to festivals and shows and was getting an overwhelming reaction on my social media posts from friends wanting to know more about these events and that inspired me to create this portal.

“I attend many events alone and have met some lovely, adventurous people along the way who reinforced the idea that there are many people around the region and the world who would find this information useful.”

Asia's music industry continues to grow; in the IFPI's latest report the Recording Industry In Numbers, it lists Singapore as one of the early adopters of digital. The report shows digital represented 53% of recorded music revenue last year, an increase of almost 2% on 2013.