It’s September again which only means one thing: Arthur’s Day is back! And this year it’s going to be bigger, bolder and definitely a treat for music fans. The launch party was held at KL Live with GUINNESS® fans and members of the media gathered to see what this year’s Arthur’s day has in store for us, while enjoying our perfect pints of GUINNESS®.

With any party, we needed to get through the formality first, so first we had Bruce Dallas, Marketing Director of Guinness Anchor Berhad giving us a speech: “Arthur’s Day™ celebrates the founder of GUINNESS®, Arthur Guinness, and his remarkable legacy of goodness through music. This year, we pay homage to his bold character and people like him, those who are ‘more’ than just ordinary; much like the Artists that will be rocking the Arthur’s Day™ stage, our Arthur Guinness Fund recipients and our GUINNESS® drinkers, who choose a GUINNESS® every time.”

The main aim of the party was to reveal the 3 exciting International acts due to perform at Sepang International Circuit, Welcome Centre. I’m actually pleasantly surprised that they have stayed away from the Urban and Hip Hop direction and brought us some proper Rock music and some Dance Pop (I’ll give them that since one of the songs of this band I actually really like)

So let’s play “Guess the Song”….

 I’m more than a bird,
I’m more than a plane
I’m more than some pretty face beside a train
It’s not easy to be me

Easy right? This is Superman (It’s not easy), written and performed by American singer-songwriter John Ondrasik, but better known by his stage name Five for Fighting.

Did you know that he has a degree in Applied Science and Mathematics? Anyway, here is what he has to say about the upcoming concert:

“I am very excited to be a part of the Arthur’s Day celebrations in Malaysia! Join me and millions around the world as we toast to one of the boldest man in history, Arthur Guinness and to those like him, the Arthur Guinness fund awardees, my comrades that will be rocking the Arthur’s Day stage this year and all of you fans out there! To Arthur!“

Alright, second act is a little alternative and a little punk, but maybe you know this song?

I wake up every evening
With a big smile on my face
And it never feels out of place
And you’re still probably working
At a nine to five pace
I wonder how bad that tastes…

No? Then how about….

“I wanna I wanna I wanna touch you, you wanna touch me too!”

First song was their first international hit: “Gives You Hell” and second song was “I Wanna” from the same album. Let me present The All American Rejects, formed in Oklahama in 1999 with lead vocalist and bass guitarist and pianist Tyson Ritter, lead guitarist and backing vocalist Nick Wheeler, rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist Mike Kennerty, and drummer and percussionist Chris Gaylor.

“Arthur’s Day is going to be one hell of ride and we have an exciting gig prepared especially for you, our Malaysian fans. We really appreciate the Arthur’s Day message on social entrepreneurship and how the Arthur Guinness fund has made an impact on thousands of people around the world. We are glad to be part of the celebrations this year in tribute to his unbelievable legacy.”

Last but not least, here’s a song I like:

Anyway, here’s what they have to say: “We’re excited to be part of the Malaysian celebrations happening at Sepang International Circuit on the 27^th of September 2013! We’re ready along with our comrades Five for Fighting and All American Rejects to rock the Arthur’s day stage this year as we pay tribute to Arthur Guinness and his legacy of goodness. To Arthur!“

I especially liked how they have picked out some of the members from our local band and formed a new one called The Morning Glory. We had a good chuckle over this though but here they are in their full glory (sorry I had to).

They covered a couple of songs from each of the 3 acts and I got really excited when they played a dupstep version of “Glad You Came”. I also took a video for your viewing and listening pleasure.

In honor of Arthur Guinness and those like him, Guinness paid tribute to our local heroes, our AGF Awardees at the Arthur’s Day launch party, in line with the theme of this year’s celebration “Celebrating Those Who Make Bolder Choices”:

1. Sabina Arokiam from Eats, Shoots, Roots (AGF Awardee)
2. Christopher  Tock from EYE Project Management (AGF Awardee)
3. Rashvin Pal Singh from Biji Biji Initiative (AGF Awardee)
4. Chew Lee-Min, Team Guinness Malaysia
5. Thompson Chuah, Team Guinness Malaysia
6. Julie Kuan, Team Guinness Malaysia
7. Dato Saw Choo Boon, Chairman of the
Board of Directors at Guinness Anchor Berhad
8. Hans Essaadi, Managing Director of Guinness Anchor Berhad
9. Bruce Dallas, Marketing Director of Guinness Anchor Berhad
10. Lim Ju Lee, Team Guinness Malaysia
11. Fiona Huang, Team Guinness Malaysia; and
12. Jazz Tan from Penang Youth Club (AGF Awardee)

Formality aside, it was fun to catch up with the usual gang, as I haven’t actually been to large event for a while. The last time was what… Hennessy Artistry in Penang? Well yeah, that was in June!

Oh yeah, my special Arthur’s day T-shirt lights up and ‘dance’ according to the beats, how cool is that?

Month Long Parties and Promotions To Arthur!

As do every year, there will be weekly GUINNESS® arTHURSDAY Parties, starting from 29 August 2013 at selected outlets nationwide in the lead up to the main Arthur’s Day concert scheduled to take place in September. The parties will feature special activities and promotions on your favourite black brew along with exclusive limited edition Arthur’s Day merchandise up for grabs.

For all GUINNESS® collectors out there, buy 1 bucket of GUINNESS® Foreign Extra Stout or 4 full pints or 6 half pints of GUINNESS® Draught and get your hands on the exclusive GUINNESS® Arthur’s Day Earphones. Promotions begin on 1^st September 2013 and you can get it at your favorite neighborhood bar!

Also, throughout the month long celebrations, other promotions at your local coffee shops and restaurants include the Limited Edition GUINNESS® Power Bank, when you collect all 12 liners bottle caps of the GUINNESS® Quart Bottles. Not forgetting the GUINNESS® Arthur’s Day Fridge Magnet Bottle Opener, when you purchase a 6-can pack of Guinness Stout at participating supermarket and hypermarkets.

So you know where you should be next Thursday right? Stay logged on to www.facebook.com/guinnessmalaysia to find out more on an arTHURSDAY party happening near you or visit www.arthursday.com.my  to get your hands on Arthur’s Day tickets!

The Arthur’s Day 2013 concert is organized in partnership with Six Fingers Events Management, while E! News Asia and AMP Networks join as official TV and Radio partners.