Ten Indonesian Musicians Will Compete at Mastercard Artist Accelerator SEA

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Driven by the explosive growth of Southeast Asia's digital music market, a new cross-border talent initiative is set to turn Indonesia and Thailand into the region's primary battleground for emerging musical talent.

The launch of the Mastercard Artist Accelerator SEA comes at a pivotal moment for Indonesia's music industry, which is currently projected to maintain an annual growth rate of 3.57 percent through 2030, with its digital music market alone expected to reach a valuation of USD 276 million.

Capitalizing on this momentum, the program has selected ten rising Indonesian musicians to undergo rigorous professional development while competing directly against their counterparts from Thailand. The local lineup features Jingga Arshabidari, Chintana Jo, Nadine Makalew, Farrel Nugroho, Tama Yuri, Saphira Adya, NDGJ, Alahad (Billy Saleh), Rimaldi, and Gavendri.

To prepare these independent creators for the regional stage, the program leverages a highly influential digital ecosystem. "Through this program, musicians have the opportunity to connect with a global community of music lovers on TikTok, expanding their fan base and sharing their stories in an authentic way,"said the Head of SoundOn Southeast Asia, Tom Chou, as quoted by Antara.

Throughout their journey, the Indonesian cohort will receive direct mentorship from seasoned industry professionals, including music producer Mohammed Kamga and MAD HAUS Chief Marketing Officer Dimasz Joey. Their performances will be evaluated by a distinguished panel of judges consisting of singer-songwriter Rendy Pandugo alongside Festival Head of major regional music events We The Fest and Djakarta Warehouse Project, Sarah Deshita.

The high stakes of the competition culminate in an exclusive grand prize, where the top performers from Indonesia and Thailand will win the opportunity to produce a collaborative single and music video under the creative direction of Kamga Mo. This strategic milestone is designed to provide these young musicians with the professional portfolio needed to break into the international market.

Local audiences can catch the ten Indonesian acts live during four scheduled Open Mic sessions at the Krapela performance space in Jakarta on May 31, June 7, and June 14, 2026. For a global audience, the entire competitive journey will be broadcast digitally via official TikTok accounts, leading up to the highly anticipated final round on July 12.

Corporate backers view the accelerator as both a consumer engagement strategy and a vital economic driver for the regional arts.

Senior Vice President and Head of Marketing & Communications for Southeast Asia at Mastercard, Dheeraj Raina, emphasized that the initiative bridges the gap between commercial platforms and grassroots talent. “Through the Mastercard Artist Accelerator SEA, we are delivering what matters most, which is to bring fans closer to the musicians they love, creating exclusive and invaluable experiences for our cardholders. We are also providing the mentorship, tools, and platforms these creators need to thrive.”

She added that by doing so, the company is actively fostering the growth of Southeast Asia's creative economy, one musician, one fan, and one meaningful connection at a time. ***