Warner Music APAC has launched Listen Up, an artist accelerator program built to scale talent from Asia-Pacific markets to international audiences.
The company unveiled the program on Tuesday (June 16).
Warner is positioning Hong Kong singer-songwriter Gareth.T as a successful case study.
His single Glass, released on May 20, generated more than 250 million streams in its first month, according to Warner Music.
That made Gareth.T one of WMG‘s top five most-streamed acts globally at that point, and the first Chinese act to do so at the company, according to Warner Music.
Listen Up is designed to operate as what Warner calls a “unified regional engine” across its Asia-Pacific territories, providing artist development, profiling and long-term strategy.
The program will be anchored by two showcase events, in Sydney and Singapore.
The Sydney showcase takes place on August 6, with the Singapore event following on August 12.
Listen Up is the latest regional move under Lofai Lo, who was appointed President of Warner Music APAC in August 2025.
“Listen Up is about mobilizing our entire regional footprint and global partners to ensure we aren’t just generating streams, but building lifelong careers,” Lofai said.
“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.”
“Listen Up is about mobilizing our entire regional footprint and global partners to ensure we aren’t just generating streams, but building lifelong careers.”
Lofai Lo, Warner Music APAC
Brayden Crossley, SVP Marketing, Warner Music APAC, added: “Breaking an artist in today’s landscape requires more than just a viral moment; it requires deep-tier strategy and a unified front. Our program aims to strategically invest in our artists in ways that make an impact in today’s global fandom marketplace.”
Gareth.T‘s breakout comes as mainland China climbs the global rankings. China overtook Germany to become the world’s fourth-largest recorded music market in 2025, after revenues rose 20.1% YoY – the fastest growth rate in the global top 20, according to IFPI.
“Breaking an artist in today’s landscape requires more than just a viral moment; it requires deep-tier strategy and a unified front.”
Brayden Crossley, Warner Music APAC
The accelerator caps a run of Warner investments across the region.
In March, the company partnered with South Korea’s MAINSTREAM, the firm behind Listen Up artist Lee Young Ji.
In May, Warner Music Korea struck a global partnership with FeelGHood Music to represent singer BIBI.
WMG promoted Jieun Kim to President of Warner Music Korea the same month.
South Korea is the world’s seventh-largest recorded music market, with trade revenues of USD $736 million in 2025, according to IFPI.
Warner Music Korea launched MPLIFY, an English-language label for Korean artists targeting international audiences, in September 2024.
Warner‘s rivals are pursuing their own routes from Asia to the global market. HYBE and Universal Music Group‘s Geffen Records built the audition pipeline that produced global girl group KATSEYE, exporting Korea’s training system into the US market.
“Listen Up is how we put that ambition into action, synchronizing the skills and passion of our teams across our 9 offices in the region to develop artists with genuine global potential.”
Dan Rosen, Warner Music Australasia and SE Asia
“We’re in the business of breaking superstars, and the combined ANZ and SEA region is one of the most exciting places in the world to do that right now,” said Dan Rosen, President, Warner Music Australasia and SE Asia.
“Listen Up is how we put that ambition into action, synchronizing the skills and passion of our teams across our 9 offices in the region to develop artists with genuine global potential. The showcases in Sydney and Singapore show our partners that we’re operating with real regional scale while staying deeply connected to local culture.”
The 2026 international Listen Up lineup features Griff, Rachel Chinouriri, Daniel Seavey, EMEI, Barry Can’t Swim, Jade LeMac, Cil, Erin LeCount and Florence Road, all of whom Warner says are prioritizing APAC opportunities.
The APAC roster includes Gareth.T, Lee Young Ji, Guru Randhawa (Warner Music India), Karencici (Warner Music Taiwan), Luv and PSYCHIC FEVER (Warner Music Japan), and Australia’s Balu Brigada, Boy Soda and Kita Alexander.Music Business Worldwide
