The GFG Masterclass Music Festival 2026 from July 24 to 26 in Petaling Jaya is set to spice up the corporate world.
Dubbed “Rockstar Experience”, it will be held at the PJPAC Nero Black Box Space in 1Utama.
It bridges the technology sector with the music community to transform corporate training, team-building, leadership development and well-being through live performances.
Music performance is combined with structured learning to strengthen presentation skills, address workplace burnout and improve team cohesion.
National Tech Association of Malaysia (Pikom) and Gig For Good Live Sdn Bhd (GFG) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to collaborate on the festival.
Pikom chief executive officer Ong Kian Yew and GFG founder and programme director Tan Hui Choon represented their respective organisations during the signing ceremony.
It was witnessed by Pikom industry development director Gerard Pillai and Musicians For Musicians (MfM) board member Debra Sta Maria.
The opening day of the three-day programme focused on corporate team-building featuring workshops, speakers and soundchecks in the afternoon, followed by corporate performances and evening showcases by finalists and headliner bands.
The second day centres on masterclass workshops alongside live performances by garage bands, emerging acts and headliners.
The final day focuses on youth development, culminating in a graduation featuring participants from the Garage Band bootcamp performing alongside headline acts.
GFG aims to create platforms that connect aspiring musicians with industry professionals.
As a Human Resource Development Corp (HRDC) claimable training provider, it has delivered corporate programmes for major brands and runs a 16-week youth development module.
It also positions its programmes as part of a broader effort to integrate creative expression into structured learning environments.
Since 2023, it has organised six sold-out concerts and over 20 jam sessions involving nearly 50 bands.
It is led by Tan and supported by producers and artistic directors Jacq Teng and Alesia Dhana.
Pikom’s involvement as official event partner reflects its focus on human and artificial intelligence (AI) collaboration, agile teamwork and creative problem-solving in the digital economy.
This synergy also reinforces Pikom’s push to explore non-traditional methods of leadership development within the technology ecosystem.
Through the partnership, Pikom members gain access to the HRDC-claimable Corporate Leadership and Team-Building Programme, including modules such as “The Elvis Paradox” that introduces prompt engineering and the use of generative AI as a workplace collaboration tool.
The programme is designed to support organisations adapting to rapid technological shifts and evolving workplace dynamics.
It will also field a representative band to perform as a headliner opener during the festival.
The initiative is supported by research highlighting the impact of music on workplace well-being.
With 67% of Malaysia’s workforce reporting burnout in 2024, alternative interventions are gaining attention.
Studies, including research from the Royal College of Music, show that live music engagement can reduce cortisol levels and other stress markers.
Additional findings suggest that music-based approaches can improve productivity by up to 15%, while enhancing mood, focus and creative problem- solving.
