Fono, a long-running independent listening bar and live music space in Kuala Lumpur, has announced that it will cease operating as a weekly hosted party venue after eight years.

In a statement shared online, the team said the physical space entity that has hosted weekly parties and diverse programming across genres and disciplines will come to an end.

“We believe that after 8 years, it is time to take a step back to avoid being jaded and burned out,” the statement read.

“It’s also important to be able to take on new projects without being stretched too thin — physically, mentally, spiritually and financially. We have faith in the next wave of music promoters!”

While the weekly space will close, Fono will continue as a brand, hosting events and booking touring acts. Over the years, Fono has brought notable international and regional names to Kuala Lumpur, including Habibi Funk and Nabihah Iqbal, alongside collectives such as Batavia Collective and BAP.

Situated at the top of The Zhongshan Building, Fono was founded in 2017 by Rudy la Faber and Uzair Sawal as an after-hours social club and hi-fi listening room.

It later evolved into a multidisciplinary venue, providing space for film screenings, audiovisual showcases, DJ performances, creative forums, workshops and other community-driven events.

According to the statement, Fono’s core members will continue to occupy the unit and contribute to the building’s community in a different capacity, with plans to expand the collective to include other passionate individuals and crew members.

To mark the end of this chapter, Fono will host a final party, described as a celebration of eight years of “disrupting Klang Valley’s nightlife scene with unconventional music programming and collaborations.”

The lineup features both new and returning DJs who have previously played at Fono, spanning sounds from percussive, break-driven and dub-inflected techno to modern interpretations of baile funk and kuduro, as well as ragga-heavy jungle, ghettotech and juke.

Tickets are priced at RM40 via direct message @fono.kl on Instagram and RM50 at the door.