The smell of gas that rushes up your nose from myriad mopeds and tuk-tuks, the swarming sounds of a city alive, and the bubble of excitement deep within your stomach that continues to grow. We’re in Bangkok. It’s been a while, but we’re happy to be back, especially with what’s planned ahead of us.
We were recently asked to join other media and KOLs to experience a one-of-a-kind music event helmed by legendary music brand Marshall. We all know the name, and we’ve all seen a Marshall amp somewhere—at your friend’s house next to their guitar, or behind the register of a chic café. It’s safe to say they’re known for that, but they also offer more than just musicians’ gear. Aside from the sleek consumer products like headphones and earphones, they’re now opening things up to physical spaces.
Why is this important? Well, what can you do with a physical space? “Rehearsal rooms, creative studios, and a live stage with pro-level equipment,” says Steve Tannett, Marshall’s director of music platforms. He’s part of the team that invited us to join them for the aforementioned music experience in Bangkok, Thailand. The event marks the launch of their four-story Marshall Livehouse, a multi-tiered building situated on the west side of Bang Rak that serves as a hub for the local creative community and visitors alike.
Sure, spaces for communities are nothing new, but how often do you get a beautifully designed building—brutalist, clean, and contemporary—that offers different rooms and features, all professionally maintained and operated by an iconic imprint like Marshall? This isn’t your hole-in-the-wall, rent-by-the-hour rehearsal room; it’s a bona fide creative space that’s completely open to the public.
As for how it’s used, the first floor boasts a stage and café/bar where you can put on an intimate show while the crowd either sips coffee or gets wasted punk-rock style. Floor two features a vinyl record listening bar, as well as Marshall’s “Gear Hub.” This is for the tech heads and a place where you can sit and discover new music, with an emphasis on local bands. Head upstairs to floor three, and you can use either of the two rehearsal rooms equipped with all the pro-level gear you need. The fourth and final floor is where things expand into, well… anything. It’s an entire area meant to be used as a multipurpose event space: art gallery, workshops, talks, community-led events, and more. Anything goes.
But bells and whistles aside, what we at RADII wanted to hear more about was what a notable music brand like Marshall—which started in the UK during the early ’60s—had to say about the local music landscape within a city like Bangkok, and why they’ve decided to root themselves within that scene.
To explore this, we sat down with Hataichanok “Pan” Uttaburanont, head of music and culture for Livehouse Bangkok and the driving force behind Marshall’s presence in Thailand; Nick Street, the chief marketing officer who helped shape the concept; and Steve Tannett. Together, they broke down how Bangkok’s new Marshall Livehouse came to life—and why it’s more than just another venue.
RADII: Pan, let’s start with you. Marshall is known for amps, but here at the Livehouse, it’s about music and culture. In your own words, what do those mean to the brand?
Pan: Music and culture are the lifeblood of Marshall. Without them, the brand wouldn’t continue to evolve. It’s never just one-way communication—it’s not just Marshall broadcasting to the world. It’s about living with the culture, learning from it, and creating a two-way relationship with communities.
Steve, you oversee music globally. When it comes to Bangkok, what is Marshall bringing that’s new?
Steve: Honestly, it’s less about what we’re bringing and more about what Bangkok gives us. The local music scene here is vibrant. When we created the Livehouse concept, the goal was to provide a joined-up space. Rehearsal rooms, creative studios, and a live stage with pro-level equipment. Sure, we bring decades of music experience, but we’re also here to learn and grow with the scene.
Nick, can you take us back to the beginning? How did the idea for Marshall Livehouse in Bangkok start?
Nick: It began with Pan saying, “I have an idea.” You can plan all you want in a boardroom, but the real magic comes from listening to the community. Pan’s been building Marshall’s presence in Thailand for eight years, mostly on the consumer electronics side. When a venue space opened up, we asked: how can we make this meaningful?
We debated: should it be a studio, a shop, a venue? Eventually, we realized the best value was to create a multipurpose hub. That’s why the space has layers: a bar and kitchen, vinyl listening areas, rehearsal rooms, a recording studio, a label, and even an open gallery floor for exhibitions or pop-ups. It’s a platform for musicians and artists first, with discovery and support at its core.
So essentially, this is a safe haven for creatives.
Nick: Exactly. Whether you’re a DJ, a band, a photographer, or a clothing brand, the space is yours to use. Come with ideas—we won’t say no.
Steve: And that includes bands who just need somewhere to rehearse. Instead of fighting gatekeepers or chasing ticket sales, they can rehearse upstairs and perform downstairs. Even if ten people show up, it’s still your gig—and you’ll have quality sound and amps behind you.
Nick: Discovery is harder than ever in the age of algorithms. Livehouse gives people the chance to stumble upon something new. Just like I discovered Ray AKA Réjizz, an incredible Thai artist, in a small Bangkok bar a couple of years ago. Spaces like this amplify those moments.
Pan, this was your brainchild. Why was it important for you personally?
Pan: Growing up in Thailand, mainstream pop dominated. My entry into music was through Sukie [Kamol]’s Bakery Music label, which introduced something different at the time. Back then, there was no YouTube, no easy access. Discovering new sounds became my lifestyle.
I later studied fashion design, so I’ve always valued the stories of artists and brands. Marshall’s message, “Never stop listening,” resonated deeply. It’s about listening not just to artists, but to audiences too. That openness inspired me. I don’t see Marshall as a brand that makes artists famous. Instead, we’re the bridge that connects and supports them so they can stay true to themselves.
That’s powerful. Thinking about Bangkok’s music culture today, what excites you most about the future?
Pan: Bangkok has always been a melting pot. Thai identity is flexible—we’re open to mixing influences while still holding our own opinions. The new generation is even more hybrid. Take Ray as an example again. He grew up with Thai influences, then hip hop from the Titanium era, then indie rock. His sound is a blend of everything, and I think that’s the future for Thai creatives. They’ll continue to develop identities that are unique, layered, and global.
Steve: I’d add that when we talk about Livehouse as a “safe space,” we mean safe to be yourself—whether you’re just starting out or already established. You don’t need a certain status to walk in. It’s about co-creating. Marshall has always been a vessel. Jimi Hendrix had the talent, and the amp carried his sound. This space works the same way. It’s here for people to adopt and make their own.
Pan, one last thing. If you had to announce Livehouse to the public, how would you frame it?
Pan: Honestly, I was nervous at first—doubting whether it was the right idea. But the vision was always to give people what they truly need, which is a platform that adds value. And that can only be proven by the community using it. To me, Marshall Livehouse isn’t about what I think. It’s about what people make of it once the doors are open.
Nick: And that’s what makes this so bold. It’s a big idea, but it’s not about perfection. We’re open to testing, learning, and even failing. That’s how the best creative work gets made.
If you want to see more RADII content from the Marshall Livehouse, Bangkok experience, check out our RADII Opinions interviews on our Instagram, where we ask the performing artists what their first date red flags are, as well as ask the audience which artist they feel is currently overrated.
Cover image of Gliiico performing at Marshall Livehouse, Bangkok. Image via Marshall.
