Music fest to jazz up shopping hub
The inaugural season of Minggu Muzik Malaysia takes place at Bukit Bintang this September, writes Dennis Chua
MOST music lovers may not have heard of rising starlet Priscilla Abby Chai, who turns 22 this year. She stole the limelight in a Malay and Chinese duet with popular singer Nabila Razali titled Cahaya Juara at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur early last year.
This was in conjunction with the premiere of badminton champion Datuk Lee Chong Wei’s biopic Rise Of The Legend, and the audience, including Lee and family, gave her and Nabila a standing ovation for their team effort.
Kuching-born Priscilla, who excels in electronic dance music or EDM had her first public concert at KL Live, Jalan Sultan Ismail in December 2017, where she introduced fans to her original songs Burn, Mystery Of Hibiscus, Listen To Your Voice her debut single ILoveTheSky.
The YouTube singer-songa writer who began as gospel singer in her hometown will headline the inaugural season of Minggu Muzik Malaysia this Sept 9 to 15 in Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur.
“It’s going to be my very first music festival and I’m very excited about it. Best of all I’ll be sharing the stage on the final night with some of Malaysian music’s biggest names ― Ella, Faizal Tahir, Hujan and Denat nis Lau,” she said the recent launch of
Minggu Muzik Malaysia in Chakri Palace Restaurant, Pavilion Shopping Centre, Jalan Bukit Bintang.
“And of course, I’m going to have some duets with the duo, Fuying And Sam, whom I’ve known since the start of my two-year career. We’re both going to come up with new albums around July or August. Right now I’m promoting my first album Burn which was launched last December.”
Pop singers Ong Fu Ying, 26, and Sam Chin Ning, 29, of Fuying And Sam are also excited about Minggu Muzik Malaysia. “While we’re no strangers to big stage concerts, this street concert in busy Bukit Bintang is going to be a first in our eight years in music,” said Fuying.
“Fans best remember us for the theme song of the popular film Kepong Gangster in 2012, and we’re definitely going to sing in for them at Minggu Muzik Malaysia,” added Sam.
The duo are also actors who have appeared in director Ryon Lee’s coming-of-age film Dream Boyz in 2015. They have three albums to their credit, and have also performed in Taiwan in 2013.
Fuying And Sam have covered popular Taiwanese songs in their YouTube video series Meet Taiwan, and their hit single The Attachment even had 2 million views. They won Favourite New Artistes 2014 at Hong Kong’s Metro Radio Mandarin Hits Music Awards. Meanwhile, awardwinning violinist Lau, 33, is busy preparing for his next major concert, Dennis Lau And Friends’ Cool Fest at 7pm on June 29.
It will be held at the Mega Star Arena, Viva Shopping Centre, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, and guest artistes include dancer Dennis Yin and singers Aisyah Aziz, Jeryl Lee and Namewee.
“They’ll all be performing songs which I wrote and composed, and the proceeds will go to the non-governmental organisation TeachForMalaysia which promotes literacy amongst underprivileged children,” said Lau.
“Minggu Muzik Malaysia is a superb idea, and it’ll get more Malaysians to know about the country’s up-and-coming talents. It’s great to share the stage on the final night with some major names and some promising new ones, and who knows, we’ll get to think of musical collaborations there,” he said.
ONLINE AND OFFLINE ACTIVITIES
Minggu Muzik Malaysia organising chairman Sylvester Fan said the annual music festival was a platform for musicians, music-lovers and businesses to connect together, and to promote tourism.
He said: “It is all about supporting homegrown brands. The local music industry is very challenging for artistes to gain recognition because there are limited platforms for them to connect with music lovers. With Minggu Muzik Malaysia, we can have a sustainable platform to connect artistes and fans, so that they can grow and thrive in their careers.”
Fan also said domestic and foreign tourists will get to appreciate Kuala Lumpur’s key attractions better with a music festival.
“Not only are we out to encourage local talent, we also want to help our partnering brands boost their collective sales by RM50 million.”
He added that there will be a series of online and offline activities over the weeklong festival and these will include showcases of new musical talents and “talent battles” between them. Musicians will perform original songs in any genre.
“The final day of the festival will have a concert that features seven established and popular Malaysian solo artistes and groups. A few more might be added to the list.”
The music festival was launched by Bukit Bintang Member of Parliament Fong Kui Lun.
Fong said: “Bukit Bintang is a popular destination for shoppers around the country, and one of Kuala Lumpur’s best known landmarks. Minggu Muzik Malaysia will greatly enhance the district’s name as a tourist, shopping and arts and cultural destination.”
Minggu Muzik Malaysia is supported by the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry, Malaysia Retail Chain Association, Branding Association of Malaysia, Recording Industry Association of Malaysia, Malaysia Book of Records and AirAsia Big, among others.
For details, visit www.mmm2019.my. dchua@nst.com.my