Warner Announces Listen Up, A New Accelerator Program Focusing on the Asia Pacific Region

Warner Music Asia-Pacific (APAC) has announced the launch of Listen Up, a new accelerator program designed to leverage the Asia-Pacific region as a path to growing artists’ careers. The initiative will provide strategy for artists to use the region as a jumping-off point into Warner Music Group's (WMG) global network.

Background:

• One of WMG's C-pop artists, Gareth.T, has been putting up significant numbers.

• His recent single “Glass” has earned over 250 million streams since it was released on May 20, putting him in the top five streamed WMG artists globally.

• This is the first time a Chinese artist has reached this mark.

• WMG is touting this example as a proof of concept for introducing Asia-Pacific artists with momentum into different regions.

The roster:

• Listen Up artists include acts from outside APAC, such as Barry Can’t Swim and Florence Road, who will prioritize opportunities in the region.

• There are also artists from APAC, such as Karencici and Lee Young Ji.

• Select Listen Up acts will perform at two showcases this summer. One in Sydney on August 6. Another in Singapore on August 12.

What they said:

• Lofai Lo, President, Warner Music APAC, WMG: “Listen Up is about mobilizing our entire regional footprint and global partners to ensure we aren’t just generating streams, but building lifelong careers. An exciting example of that right now is Warner Music Hong Kong Artist Gareth.T who has skyrocketed this year. We are focusing our resources on the talent that can truly move the needle, providing them with the bespoke support needed to turn emerging market opportunities into global superstardom.”