Jakarta, July 16, 2026 – Deputy Minister of Creative Economy/Deputy Head of the Creative Economy Agency, Irene Umar, received ALI Band for an audience at the Ministry of Creative Economy Office in Jakarta on Thursday (July 16). During the meeting, the Deputy Minister welcomed the band's planned North American tour in September 2026 while discussing strategies to strengthen the global presence of Indonesian musicians.
Deputy Minister of Creative Economy, Irene Umar, receives ALI Band for an audience at the Ministry of Creative Economy Office in Jakarta on Thursday (July 16, 2026).
The Deputy Minister stated that ALI Band exemplifies the ability of Indonesian musicians to bring the nation's identity to the international stage, giving them a competitive advantage in the global music industry. According to her, Indonesia's diverse and original musical styles constitute a unique strength that cannot be replicated by other countries.
“The creative industry requires a strong sense of identity and originality. ALI Band has the ability to demonstrate how Indonesian musicians possess a unique selling point on the global stage. This should serve as an inspiration for many Indonesian musicians as they navigate various challenges,” said the Deputy Minister.
In addition, the Deputy Minister emphasized the importance of building a healthier music business model so that musicians do not rely solely on festivals but are able to generate sustainable income through multiple distribution channels, fan communities, and cross-sector partnerships. She noted that the Government needs to fully understand the challenges faced by musicians in order to formulate more targeted policies.
Photo: Bureau for Communication, Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency.
“The Ministry of Creative Economy seeks to gain a comprehensive understanding of the music industry's business model so that we can provide relevant solutions. Musicians need more than performance opportunities—they also need a healthy business ecosystem that enables them to continue creating and growing. Therefore, we are committed to maintaining dialogue, mapping existing challenges, and facilitating collaboration with various stakeholders that can support the global expansion of Indonesian musicians,” the Deputy Minister said.
Representatives of ALI Band explained that their fusion of funk, disco, Middle Eastern soul, and various other cultural influences has become their main attraction during performances across Europe, the United States, and Australia. This distinctive musical identity has led many international promoters to recognize the band as offering a unique sound. Formed in 2021, ALI consists of Arswandaru Cahyo (bass), John Paul Patton (drums), and Absar Lebah (guitar), and was part of the lineup at the Fuji Rock Festival 2024.
Photo: Bureau for Communication, Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency.
“Today's audience has been truly insightful because the Government is willing to listen to the obstacles we face from the perspective of musicians. The Deputy Minister also helped identify practical solutions, giving us confidence that Indonesia's music subsector will continue to grow. We firmly believe Indonesian music deserves a place on the global stage and should continue to gain international recognition. We also hope the Government can serve as a support system for musicians in overcoming obstacles as they prepare for international tours,” said Arswandaru Cahyo.
During the audience, Deputy Minister of Creative Economy Irene Umar was accompanied by Director of Music Mohammad Amin. Also in attendance was ALI Band Business Manager Decky Arrizal.
Kiagoos Irvan Faisal
Head of the Bureau for Communication
Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency
