Industry Insider
1. Hi Iqbal, as one of the founding members of Arts, Live Festivals & Events Association( ALIFE) of Malaysia, what are your main responsibilities in this role?
I am the secretary of ALIFE that means I constantly minute and engage our ALIFE council members and relevant stakeholders in the international events sector. Stakeholders range from the government to big corporate entities and other event organisers.
2. What else keeps you busy these days?
As the Group CEO of The Livescape Group, my main role is focusing on potential partnerships that assists all assets of the company. That includes expansion opportunities throughout both of our offices in Malaysia and Singapore. We have some really cool concepts coming up over the next few years that I am sure will excite everyone.
3. Tell us more about ALIFE, how does it contribute to the music industry?
ALIFE intends to be the main lobbying arm between the private sector and the government sector in ensuring that quality live international events are able to be held in Malaysia
4. You have organized many successful events since 2009, what’ s your secret to success?
To be honest, there is no secret. It is hard work and determination in realising your vision. In this particular case, our vision at Livescape is to deliver the best experience through events. And I am humbled to have a great team that believes in that vision as well. Hard work. Determination. Vision. A great team.
5. How do you think the local dance music scene can be improved?
I think that we have a fantastic pool of talent in Malaysia. We have an ample amount of venues that can support these talents but what we don’ t have is media channels that support the local talents. For instance, radio should have a 60:40 policy where 40 % of the music played should be local with the other 60 %, international. That way, Malaysians will be exposed to local music a lot more.
6. You have been a part of many major events here, what has been the most challenging and why?
Without a doubt, FMFA. The third day being cancelled in Malaysia and being unable to do FMFA in Singapore the following year killed us. But with that, it tested the true strength of the Livescape family as a unit. Without that, ALIFE would not have be born and Livescape would not have its latest music platform, IT’ S THE SHIP.
7. What do you think can be done to allow a much safer party experience?
There is no issue with a party being safe or not. The Livescape Group takes security and medical measure of international standards and we have been doing this since day one. It is the people that need to help us make our events safe. If you see someone falling down, you pick them up. If you see something that is not right, report it.
8. What does ALIFE have planned for 2016?
( 1) We plan to represent the industry with a united voice, with an intended signup of 80 % market share.( 2) ALIFE website to go live by March 2016( www. alife. my).( 3) Setting standards within the industry through a Code of Practive that will be available for download on ALIFE website.( 4) ALIFE to be officially involved in PUSPAL Committee, while( 5) lobbying and advocating for better regulation and governance in Live Event industry. Finally we plan to( 6) establish # myalife Symposium as a main platform to connect industry members with relevant stakeholders locally and globally, network and collaboration as a way to build the industry together.
9. What are the highlights of being in the dance music industry?
Discovering new music, new talent and most importantly bringing people together to experience and appreciate the content that we bring to them and have a good time all the way.
10. What’ s on your rave bucket list right now?
To attend IT’ S THE SHIP 2016. I heard that it had two massive successful editions and that the 3rd edition would be even more fantastic!
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