Judges

Behind every legendary performance is a panel of visionaries who know what it takes to own the stage. The 2026 FOBISIA Battle of the Bands brings together seasoned industry trailblazers, acclaimed musicians, and creative powerhouses to evaluate, inspire, and elevate the next generation of talent.

With decades of combined experience shaping music scenes across Asia and beyond, they’re here to challenge competitors to push boundaries, refine their craft, and leave their mark.

Matt Lawrence is a Grammy award-winning mixer, producer and engineer who has worked on some of the most influential records of the past 20 years. His work has been streamed in the billions, & has contributed to millions of record sales worldwide.

Matt is an experienced mixer with a proven track record, with mix credits that include Ellie Goulding, Mumford & Sons and Frank Turner. He is also a Universal records approved Dolby Atmos Mixer.

His technical & creative skills, and time as Chief Engineer at London’s Metropolis studios mean he's called on for more unusual and challenging sessions - from producing the audio post for the global Live 8 concerts, to the first direct to vinyl cut in thirty years, to a Bond theme.

While Matt’s work has contributed to many hit records internationally, he also enjoys working with new and up & coming artists  at an early stage in their careers.

For more information, visit his official website at matt-music.com.

Michelle SgP is described in international media reviews as a kind of “music cosmopolitan”, a show-woman with proximity to artists as Diana Krall, Roberta Flack, Joan Armatrading, bearing traces of Sarah Vaughn & Shirley Bassey, "gargling vocals with a versatility sounding different with each piece" as Grace Jones, Etta James, Janis Joplin, Annie Lennox. 

As singer-songwriter, she's been described as giving “100 inspiring minutes,” convincing with “great jazz-pop ballads” & “great songwriting.” Her 2023 Italian album YOLO launched with 14 piece strings & horns at The Esplanade in Singapore, and then Jazz at the Cove Festival Sentosa, also in Singapore.

In 2024, Michelle was commissioned to perform her originals with the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra at the Philippines International Jazz Festival, celebrating the 55th anniverasry of Singapore - Philippines diplomatic relations. She also performed shows in Amsterdam with Dutch string quartet IJ K'want; and New Orleans (USA) - Wild Women Sing the Blues with Nola artistes, as part of 'She Shines SG', a platform she founded celebrating women in music & their stories. Visit her website for more at michelle.sg.

Duncan McKee is a highly respected music educator, entrepreneur, and professional musician based in Singapore. He is the founder and director of McKee Music, a premier organisation that provides comprehensive instrumental and music education services to international schools across Asia.

With a background as a professional jazz musician, Duncan brings a wealth of performance and industry experience to his educational work. He is renowned for creating and leading dynamic, high-energy workshops for students of all ages. He is the creator of Bambajam, an innovative and interactive percussion workshop designed to engage and inspire large groups of students.

Duncan will be running his signature Bambajam workshop for our finalists and serving as a guest judge on our adjudication panel.

For more information, visit mckeemusic.com.sg.

Emily Stewart is a violinist, composer, and music educator who finds inspiration at the intersection of tradition and innovation. She serves as Director of Strings and Orchestras at International School Bangkok, where she also teaches digital music production. A Fulbright scholar to the Haute École de Musique de Genève in Switzerland, Emily holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Violin Performance from Boston University. She also trained at the Centre des Musiques Didier Lockwood in France, where she immersed herself in jazz, world music, and arrangement.

Her violin playing has been featured on albums by Delta Rae and in film scores such as Disciple by composer Juan Cortes, as well as in her original string recordings for artists Amory Sivertson and Jack Bowman. Emily has performed live with Stevie Wonder, Rod Stewart, Andrea Bocelli, Il Divo, and Magma. Now based in Thailand, she continues to create, perform, and explore new possibilities through live looping, folk music, and storytelling.

For more information, visit www.emilystewartviolin.com.

Charles “Stitch” Wong is a multifaceted Singaporean musician renowned for his dynamic fusion of beatboxing, vocals, guitar, and emceeing. Emerging into the spotlight as the fourth-place finalist in Singapore Idol Season 3, Charles captivated audiences with his innovative blend of musical talents.

His versatility has led him to share stages with international acts like Kanye West and The All-American Rejects, performing for audiences exceeding 100,000 throughout his career.

Beyond performance, Charles is a passionate educator, having imparted his knowledge of guitar, singing, and beatboxing to over 14,000 students across various educational institutions in Singapore. His commitment to nurturing musical talent is evident in his interactive teaching style and dedication to student development.

Visit his official website at charlesstitchwong.com or explore his band’s projects at anchorblanclivemusic.com.

Steve Molter is a multi-disciplinary artist and creative leader with over two decades of experience in music performance, composition, and production. Beginning his journey in Boston, Massachusetts and later relocating to Los Angeles, California, Steve performed and recorded across the US, Europe, and Asia with post-rock and ambient projects, including his band Beware of Safety and his current solo act Le Sigh.

Now based in Thailand, he continues to explore the emotional depth of sound while expanding his creative work into acting, filmmaking, photography, and UX strategy in the global aviation space. A storyteller at heart, Steve brings a deep understanding of artistic process, live performance, and audience connection. His work across disciplines reflects a commitment to helping others be seen, heard, and inspired.

For more information, head over to stevemolter.com.