United We Stream Asia Saves Regional Club Culture With SG-Based Homeaway Agency

United We Stream is coming to Asia courtesy of Homeaway Agency, an entity based in Singapore (Credit: United We Stream Asia [front], The Council [rear])

In a COVID-stricken milieu where club culture faces the guillotine, United We Stream is an international movement that helps keep it afloat – and it’s now coming to Asia. Giving a much-missed glimpse into beloved nightspots pre-shutdown, United We Stream broadcasts live streams from affected venues, letting viewers in while keeping risks out. A warm, fuzzy reminder that we’re all in this together as a community, it makes the detachment feel a little less unbearable.

In addition to bringing everyone together, United We Stream is in initiative that helps these establishments beyond online exposure. Through a fundraising platform, viewers can donate a variable amount to further bolster these establishments. A majority of the income generated from streams goes to a rescue fund for these clubs, with the remainder being donated to a local charity. 

This digital remedy that’s been making waves in Europe is now being brought to our continent as United We Stream Asia. Making this happen – together with Clubbing TV, ARTE Concert, Clubcommission Berlin and Mixmag Asia – is actually an entity that’s based right here in Singapore, Homeaway Agency. The artist management and booking agency, founded by Phuong (who you might know as MYLE, a selector no stranger to The Council decks), is the one helping to bridge all involved partners together. With its wide-reaching network, the agency intends to rope in a range of clubs and venues all across Asia; Singapore is included too, naturally.

To get a better understanding of how all of this came together with United We Stream Asia, I speak to Phuong, the founder of Homeaway Agency.

Phuong AKA MYLE is the innovator behind Homeaway Agency (Credit: The Council)

So how did the idea of Homeaway Agency come together?

Coming from Europe to Asia initially, I was a touring DJ myself, excited to discover the dancefloors across the region. Very quickly, I found myself immersed in the scene, meeting many passionate producers, DJs and promoters in Asia.

When I started to spend half my time in Asia, and half in Europe, it felt like a natural thing to do, to connect both emerging and established talents from the two places I now call home. With the help of the team at The Council, we’ve been able to do some great work together. And I’m very excited to work with them again, alongside the United We Stream Asia team, to bring the movement to our region.

Homeaway Agency manages artistes on their Asian tours, including Crussen seen here at Wonderfruit (Credit: Homeaway Agency)

Based in Singapore, how will the agency be handling streams in other parts of Asia?

The agency is spearheading United We Stream’s expansion into Asia, and working with clubs, artistes and promoters across Asia to make this live-stream possible.

What will United We Stream Asia mean for the industry here?

While we aim to help clubs and artistes that are in need during this difficult time, United We Stream also wants to raise awareness for the scene across Asia, one that is teeming with undiscovered talents. Sadly, in Asia, nightlife tends to be overlooked, or disregarded as part of a city’s culture or identity, which often means little to no support from the government.

Asia’s music scene has been thriving, and together with United We Stream, we hope this platform will allow people to navigate Asia’s club culture, and allow underground music collectives and artistes to share their gift of music with a global audience. We will be working with venues across Asia, including Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Taiwan, Korea, Japan and Indonesia, with many more to be added.

Follow United We Stream Asia for more information on participating partners. You can help save club culture in Asia via this official fundraising platform.