Washout but still watched

The New Paper
By Sheela Narayanan

It was a concert that nearly didn't happened.

Rain had threatened to mar KRU Music Group's multi-artiste concert held last Saturday in Kuala Lumpur.

The free concert dubbed Digi Kru Live 'n' kicking was to kick of the company's celebration of their 10 years in the music industry.

The outdoor performance was held in the heart of the city Padang Merbok which, as Kru's CEO Norman Abdul Halim described it, had turned into a "paddy field".

He told the newpaper that the rain had caused all sorts technical problems.

"We couldn't do our rehearsals properly. We actually thought we couldn't hold the concert," said the 34-year-old who, along with his brothers Yusry and Edry, are part of a popular Malaysian hip-hop group KRU.

KRU Group has 20 business units that include publishing and music production.

The concert boasted a line-up of 20 artistes, both past and present, like Pretty Ugly, Phyne Ballerz and former girl group Elite,who reunited briefly that night.

By the time the concert started at about 8 pm, the rain had lightened to a persistent drizzle.

But it did keep the crowd away. Over 30,000 people were expected, but only 10,000 showed up.

The concert's opener was Singapore's Fauzie Laily.

He sang two songs, a cover of Sheila Majid's Dia (Him) and his new single Selalu (Always). The single is found in a KRU compilation album, Ini Baru Power 2 (This is the New Power Vol. 2), which will be sold here at the end of next month.

When The New Paper caught up with 21-year-old, Fauzie, at the makeshift backstage just before he went on, he was sitting quietly on a plastic chair, looking a little nervous.

The singer admitted he was feeling the butterflies.

"I hope it doesn't become more than just a drizzle and that I will do okay out there," said the affable Fauzie.

While his performance lacked confidence, he didn't embarrass the home team.

Naturally the Malaysian audience who wasn't familiar with him gave Fauzie a polite applause.

But he was not without fans.

A group of 12 Singaporean fans, who call themselves Merbuk Platoon – a name inspired by an 80’s rock song – had made their way to KL to support Fauzie.

Merbuk Platoon member Pak Malau said the group was formed two years ago to support Singapore talent.

"We just felt that support shouldn't be only about buying their CDs. We should be at their concerts, cheering them on," said the 34-year-old driver.

By the time the concert was full swing, the rain had turned Padang Merbok into an ankle-deep mudfest.

Most fans took shelter under the trees at the edge of the field.

It helped that there were two large screens where they could watch the performances.

Hardcore fans were undeterred by the bad weather. They rolled up their jeans and pants, and trampled on the muddy ground – some barefoot – to get close to the stage.

The hot favourite was 22-year-old singer Ezlynn, who was a dynamo onstage.

Her single Hi Hi Bye Bye had the had the crowd singing along word for word and dancing in the mud.

Ezlynn, whose real name is Azline Ariffin, told The New Paper after the concert that she felt really honoured by the fans’ response.

"Though there weren't that many people, the support was fantastic. As a singer, it's always amazing to hear the crowd sing back to you," she said in Malay.

Part of the concert also included a massive plug for Cicakman (Lizardman), due to be released later this year under the KRU Group's filem division.

Ezlynn sang a duet with Edry called Pening (Giddy), and a rock band Spider sang Telinga Ke Tulang (Ear To Bone). Both songs will be featured on the film’s soundtrack.

The highlight of the night was of course, the brothers three of KRU: Norman, Edry and Yusry.

They put up a high energy performance with four numbers that showed the hip-hop group was not slowing down despite its 14 years in the business.

The concert, The New Paper found out, also marked the end of KRU's relationship with its old record label EMI.

Apart from old favourites like Buat Hai Lagi (Do It Again) and Tak Kisah (Don't Care), the brothers also belted out a new single, Gerenti Beres (Guaranteed Order), from their new album 10 Di Skala Richter (10 On The Richter Scale), which will be out next month.

Singaporean fan Latifah Adam 39, who attended the concert with her family said the boys still had their touch.

"As time goes on, I think they get better and better. You expect them to slow down, but they are still amazing to me," said the mother of three.