= Live Music 
= DJs 
= Open Mic 
= Live Music & DJ * = International
Boutique scene
Boutique gig venues are
on the increase in Phnom Penh. There are hundreds of options for
dining and drinking in elegant surroundings in the city, but not so
many that provide good quality live music on a weekly basis. For the
uninitiated, Leng Pleng
has rounded up some of the best choices here.
All of these destinations
are full-time bar-restaurants and part-time music venues.
For many visitors, appreciating the band may be a fifth-placed
priority behind eating, talking, imbibing and paying rapt attention
to a four-inch smartphone
screen. However, for those Leng Pleng
readers seeking some fantastic
live performances, pull up a chair close to the stage and get
involved.
 |
pic: Bouchon Bar Facebook
|
Phil Javelle is
the resident maestro
at French wine bar Bouchon
–
with
live music sessions taking place most Wednesdays. As you would expect
from the multi-talented, multi-instrumentalist Phil,
the styles of music played are wide-ranging with a variety of guest
artists in
attendance.
Jazz, Pop and
Soul are all well-represented and the standard of performance is
always very high.
 |
pic: Est. Bar Facebook
|
Smooth
groove is the style when Ritchy
& Friends
set up for their weekly Wednesday session at Est.
Bar.
Ritchy
Boisson
(drums/vocals) has two of best players in town in the form of Larry
Martinez (keyboards)
and Andrey
Meshcheryakov (bass
guitar). On Fridays, Jeffro and Colin lay down some blues on guitar and harmonica.
 |
pic:
FCC
Website
|
The FCC recently
moved all their live music
events from the open-air surroundings of the French colonial Mansion
to the more weather-proof
environment of the Rooftop Bar.
The past gig posters adorning the walls evoke
colourful memories
of the many fantastic nights of music that have taken place at the
famous riverside hotel (Dengue
Fever, Dub
Addiction,
Cambodian
Space
Project).
Solos and duos play here on Wednesdays (Pavel
Ramirez,
Scott
Bywater)
and Fridays (Josh
and
Pervez)
with band shows happening semi-regularly on Saturdays.
 |
pic: Riverhouse
website
|
At the more northerly end
of the Sisowath Quay riverside, Riverhouse Asian Bistro is
another long-time staple of
the live music scene in Phnom Penh.
While the heavy beats pound away in the upstairs nightclub, the music
in the Bistro is a
much more refined affair – with
accomplished pop acousticos (Ace
Zapa)
and jazz crooners (Clay
George and
Larry Martinez)
providing
the soundtrack to air-conditioned lounging on well-upholstered
chairs. Live
music happens on Fridays and Saturdays.
 |
pic:
lorabylora.com
|
Farm
to Table
is a relative newcomer to the Phnom Penh music scene (opening
in early 2015) with
a very unique set-up. The
child-friendly restaurant
features
a sandpit, organic
vegetable garden, a disused tractor and a flock
of chickens! The
Friday sessions featuring acoustic solos (Robin
Narciso,
Euan
Gray)
are very popular.
 |
pic:
tripadvisor
|
Duplex
Taverne Belge is situated in the
backpacker-heavy area of Street 278
and Street 51. The Duplex stage
and soundsystem is located right
out front, which sometimes
has the unexpected consequence of attracting long
conga lines of boozy
revellers from the Top
Banana guesthouse
on the other side of the street. Duos
and bands (Kristen
&
Pavel,
Joe
&
The
Jumping
Jacks)
play Duplex most
weeks, on either Friday or
Saturday.
Have we omitted your
favourite regular boutique music venue? drop us a line and tell us
all about it! gigs@lengpleng.com
 |
Genial Dave Flack is happiest with a beer in
his hand and live music in his ears!
|
One
Leng Pleng reader who will
definitely be seen 'around the traps' this weekend is Mr
David Flack. He and his
wife Hayley
are two of the most fervent supporters of live music in Phnom Penh.
Dave is
rarely seen without his camera and provides something of a
photographic Phnom Penh live music diary via his Facebook
page. Thanks a lot Dave,
and many happy returns on your birthday!
All
performers, entertainers and professionals involved in the
industry should have a look
at this recent call
placed on www.bongthom.com
by Hollywood
Asia Studios.
It is a new organisation based
in Phnom Penh, currently hiring generally.
Whatever you're up to over the next few days, stay safe out there and... see you around the traps!
Thanks Joe.
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