Challenges in the industry
Live events are statistically proven to improve the revenue streams of hotels, travel companies, transport operators and food and beverage outlets, among others.
“The live events industry contributes around RM400mil yearly in revenue,” Para estimates.
“We need to be more accepting and open-minded, and not so quick to judge the performers or events that take place.
“Our neighbouring countries like Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia have long embraced the experience economy, which contributes significantly to their country’s GDP,” Para says, citing the Formula 1 Singapore race as an example of an event that uses live concerts to enhance the race experience for fans from all over the world.
Last year, there were a total of 77 ticketed entertainment events held by Alife members.
Of that total, most were concerts by artistes from
Western countries (43), followed by Korean and Chinese stars (nine each), comedy shows (seven), six local acts and three Indian live performances.
Concert promoter Intour Live managing director Bonor Seen has observed a slight decrease in live events involving Western celebrities over the past few years.
Only regional performers such as K-pop stars and Chinese singers have been fairly consistent, he notes.
“Malaysia is not a priority market on the touring route for many major artistes in some situations,” adds Seen.
And it doesn’t help that there have been impromptu and inconsistent decisions on the permit application process.
“Some international acts choose to go elsewhere to perform, partly due to censorship regulations on performances in our country,” he notes.
He says Malaysia’s performance policies are related to sensitivities on religion and culture, the artiste’s outfits or image and sexual preferences.
“We should have more open-minded policies when it comes to evaluating performances and overall advantages instead of considering objections from the minority,” Seen urges.
The weaker ringgit is also undoubtedly a negative factor, putting Malaysia at a disadvantage when promoters work on budgeting for a show – be it a small gig or major festival.
“We will have a significantly higher expense compared to stronger currencies in other countries,” he says.
On Alife’s proposal for age-rated events, Seen offers his support for such a rating system.
“Malaysia as a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural country should keep a neutral view on potential artists and live events in general such as that practised in Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and as far as Taiwan, Korea and Japan.
“If these countries have no issues with hosting certain live events, our country should be the same,” he adds.
Akhiroth Abu Bakar, public relations manager of metal gig organiser Goatlordth Records and In Solitude Conspiracy, supports Alife’s push for more live events in Malaysia.
“The biggest challenge we face as concert organisers is restrictions with the local authorities.
“Most small-scale concerts and gigs we plan do not get approved even though we applied for the necessary permits.
“For some bands, especially in the metal genre, it is rather impossible for us to hold them due to the religious and cultural stigma,” he says.
Akhiroth is all for the government to ease up the application process to hold live performances, especially those involving international acts.
For metal bands, he believes it is suitable to have age limits for concerts.
“The show will be able to go on without influencing those who are underaged, similar to watching 18-rated films at the cinema,” he says.
Live events will encourage youths to explore their talent in performing arts and help Malaysia generate revenue, Akhiroth highlights.
“In just a few months, it will be 2020. Malaysians need to change their views on the entertainment industry, which is also evolving with the times,” he says.