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Sinar Daily
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Sinar Daily
Melly Goeslaw's prom-themed concert served nostalgia and some disappointments
While the show was filled with heartfelt moments and high-energy performances, it wasn't without its drawbacks. By SHAH SHAMSHIRI 03 Jun 2025 11:53am Melly brought her popular concert series back with Prom Nite, following two crowd-favourite editions. Photo: Bangsawan Pictures Dubbed as Indonesia's queen of soundtracks, Indonesian singer-songwriter Melly Goeslaw once again took centre stage at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur as she performed at the Ada Apa Dengan Melly Concert – Prom Nite Edition. This concert marked the third instalment of her popular concert series, following the earlier Ada Apa Dengan Melly...? (Back to School) and Ada Apa Dengan Melly & Friends (Malam Graduasi). For many hard-core fans and those who missed out on the previous two events, this was their golden opportunity to finally witness Melly live in action. Celebrated for her remarkable contributions to the Indonesian and Malaysian music scenes, Melly performed not only her own songs but also those she had written for numerous other vocalists. From sweeping ballads to youthful anthems, her setlist showcased her lasting impact as a songwriter whose work has stood the test of time. However, while the show was filled with heartfelt moments and high-energy performances, it wasn't without its the evening, many fans noticed that Melly's vocals were not at their best, with several moments where she encouraged the audience to sing along—or more accurately, sing for her. While this created a communal concert vibe, it also subtly pointed to a performance that was vocally underwhelming. Melly encouraged fans to sing along throughout the night, creating a lively crowd vibe, though some felt her vocals didn't quite hit the mark. Photo: Bangsawan Pictures The redeeming moment of the night came in the form of Malaysia's powerhouse vocalist Aina Abdul, who took to the stage and stole the spotlight with her stunning rendition of Cinta, a song originally performed by Melly and Kris Dayanti. Aina's commanding vocals and stage presence earned her roaring applause and left a lasting impression. Melly also took a moment to honour her Malaysian fans with a medley of iconic local hits: Janji Manis by Aishah, Betapa Ku Cinta Padamu by Siti Nurhaliza, and Isabella by Search. Aina Abdul delivered a show-stopping version of Cinta, leaving the crowd in awe. Photo: Bangsawan Pictures The crowd went wild, especially as both Siti Nurhaliza and Amy Search were spotted in the VIP section, singing along with evident joy. Also in attendance were Indonesian stars Rossa and Raffi Ahmad, lending their support to the beloved songstress. But the highlight many fans had been eagerly anticipating was the appearance of Indonesian heart-throb Nicholas Saputra, who graced the stage to deliver the iconic poem from the cult classic Ada Apa Dengan Cinta. Emotions ran high as three lucky fans—women who admitted to having recently endured heartbreak—were invited on stage to meet Nicholas in person alongside Melly. The moment was a fangirl dream come true, and the screams from the audience were deafening. Although Melly's vocal performance didn't quite hit the mark, the night was a triumphant celebration of nostalgia. Fans were transported back to the golden era of Indonesian movie soundtracks, with songs that defined the adolescence and memories of a generation. Prom Nite gave fans something deeper: connection and nostalgia. Photo: Bangsawan Pictures The setlist was a mix of legendary hits and crowd favourites, including: Ku Bahagia (opening with a full string and orchestral arrangement), Ingin Mencintai dan Dicintai, a medley of Bimbang and Denting, Di Mana Malumu, Hanya Memuji, Tentang Seseorang, Berdua Lebih Baik, Jangan Pernah Berubah, Bunda (with rising Indonesian star Dinda Ghania), and many others. All in all, Ada Apa Dengan Melly: Prom Nite may not have delivered a perfect vocal performance, but it offered something just as valuable—a shared experience of music, memory, and the emotional resonance of growing up with Melly Goeslaw's legendary soundtracks. More Like This
Sinar Daily
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Sinar Daily
Performing Asean 2025 theme song a career highlight for Aina Abdul
Aina said the process of interpreting and delivering the song gave her a deeper appreciation for the theme of Asean unity. 07 Jun 2025 05:04pm Singer Aina Abdul - BERNAMA FILE PIX KUALA LUMPUR - Singer Aina Abdul described the opportunity to record the theme song for the Asean Summit 2025, 'Our Land Our Home' - centered on the theme of unity - as a profound and meaningful milestone in her artistic journey. According to Aina, whose full name is Nurul Aina Abdul Ghani, the experience of working with veteran composer Datuk Mokhzani Ismail and lyricist Rafiza Rahman added tremendous value to her growth as a singer. "I only lent my voice but I feel truly honoured to perform this powerful song. It's in English and there were challenges in pronunciation and the detailed musical notation," she told Bernama. Recorded at the RTM studio under the guidance of a vocal director and the lyricist herself, the 31-year-old artiste admitted that the technical approach required a high level of discipline, especially in adhering strictly to the notation. "I usually sing according to how I feel, but this time I had to follow the notation note by note. It was challenging but it taught me to be more meticulous and to respect the composer's work," she said. Singer Aina Abdul - BERNAMA FILE PIX Aina said the process of interpreting and delivering the song gave her a deeper appreciation for the theme of Asean unity. The 'Puas Sudah' singer said through the storytelling-style lyrics, she came to understand the noble values and unique cultural identities of Asean member states. "This song opened my eyes to the beauty and richness of cultures beyond Malaysia. It reminded me that music has the power to unite us, regardless of borders," she said. Aina, who won the Best Performance award at the 39th Anugerah Juara Lagu, said the experience of recording the song shifted her perspective on the role of music in conveying powerful messages and fostering unity. She described music as a universal medium capable of transcending cultural and linguistic boundaries, making it an effective tool for regional solidarity. "We shouldn't underestimate the power of music to bring people together. This song proves that music can cross borders and deliver a powerful message, not just to Malaysians but to listeners across Asean," she added. - BERNAMA More Like This
New Straits Times
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Indonesia's 'Soundtrack Queen' makes good her promise with magical show
LAST year acclaimed Indonesian singer-songwriter Melly Goeslaw promised Malaysian fans that she would be returning to the Axiata Arena for yet another concert, the third in her on-going Ada Apa Dengan Melly & Friends? series. If her concert on June 1 last year was themed Graduation Night, this year's was Prom Night naturally. The Indonesian music legend, dubbed the Queen Of Soundtracks, put another 9,000 fans under her musical spell for two-and-a-half hours at the arena as she sang 26 of her hits, including medleys, with ample sing-along opportunities for the cheering audience. Ably assisted by four pop musicians headed by her husband Anto Hoed, plus a 12-member orchestra, the 51-year-old singer also had three guest artistes namely Indonesian actor Nicholas Saputra of the hit 2002 movie 'Ada Apa Dengan Cinta?' (AADC) which she scored, promising new Indonesian pop singer Dinda Ghania, and Malaysia's very own award-winning singer Aina Abdul. Several Malaysian and Indonesian artistes attended the 9pm concert, and Melly introduced them at the start of the show. They included Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza, Datuk Amy, Elite and Indonesian singer-actor Raffi Ahmad. Melly's evening began with the fast-paced 'Ku Bahagia'. This popular song from the soundtrack of AADC saw her guests sing along from the word "go" and ended with Melly saying: "Thank you Malaysia, I love you all." UNIVERSAL After her second song 'Ingin Mencintai Dan Dicintai', she remarked: "Music is the universal language. We may not speak the same language, but all of us love good music." As the guitarists strummed their instruments louder, the guests knew that Melly's next song was 'Pencinta Wanita', made popular by Irwansyah, the star of the 2006 tear-jerker movie 'Heart'. Fans sportingly sang the first few lines as well as the chorus, and Melly remarked that "party time has finally begun". SAD SONG After 'Malam Pertama', a song about first dates, Melly belted out 'Suara Hati Seorang Kekasih', a sad song about the challenges of a relationship, and 'Sampai Ku Menutup Mata', a poignant anthem about endless love. Melly introduced her fans to 'Jika', the song which landed her in KL back in the early 2000s, and it sounded great with a jazzy new arrangement. 'Jika' was followed by another good rearrangement, 'Gantung', a sentimental number about abruptly ended relationships. THICK Melly said: "True friends stand by you through thick and thin, you will only know who they are when you are down." This signalled her next song 'Cinta Sejati', which sounded like an ode to romantic love but was really about friendship. Melly's first medley came next in the form of 'Bimbang' and 'Denting'. The first song was a sing-along about fighting feelings of love while the second was about sleepless nights. WHITE Melly then introduced one of her favourite Malaysian singers, whom she dubbed as the country's Lady Gaga. Aina Abdul emerged majestically on stage, dressed in a flowing white dress inspired by the white peacock, to deliver a power-packed and soulful version of 'Cinta', the theme from Kabir Bhatia's hit 2006 movie of the same name. Melly then talked about three of her favourite Malaysian singers and hinted that her next medley would feature popular songs from two of them in the audience. She sang 'Janji Manismu' made popular by Datuk Aishah Ariffin, 'Isabella' made popular by Search and 'Betapa Ku Cinta Padamu' made popular by Siti. MARCELL Another monster hit from AADC came shortly after the less known 'Di Mana Malumu', a song about treating one's partner cruelly. It was 'Hanya Memuji', which was made popular by Indonesian singers Shanty and Marcell Siahaan and has always been in Melly's "must sing" list. Melly's next two songs were 'Tentang Seseorang', an ode to her Mr Right, and 'Berdua Lebih Baik', the most "sunshiny" song for the concert. MOTHERS Melly's second guest singer came next, looking sweet and stunning. Dinda performed 'Jangan Pernah Berubah' with Melly and 'Bunda', a passionate tribute to mothers. The final guest artiste emerged next as a poet. Nicholas recited a poem by his AADC character Rangga, as fans cheered and screamed, and this heralded Melly's return to the stage to sing the title track of AADC in a medley which included Ratusan Purnama. BBB The theme song for another well-known romantic comedy 'Eiffel I'm In Love' (2003) was Melly's next number. Titled 'Tak Tahan Lagi', it also proved a fan favourite. Melly then got everyone dancing with 'Let's Dance Together', her 2006 duet with BBB, and 'Hey Ladies', a 2009 hit for Datuk Seri Rossa. "I've had a great time in KL and I've also visited the wonderful Cameron Highlands. Thank you so much Malaysia," said Melly. CAMERON HIGHLANDS The singer had a brief drink before giving her fans 'Salah', 'Bagaikan Langit', 'I Just Wanna Say' and 'Demikianlah', and all three guests joined her. While Melly may not be a powerhouse diva like Krisdayanti, she is very much a star in Indonesia. Indonesia's best known female composer and lyricist, she is a "hit maker" whose songs have adorned many drama and movie soundtracks.
The Sun
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Performing ASEAN 2025 theme song a career highlight for Aina Abdul
KUALA LUMPUR: Singer Aina Abdul described the opportunity to record the theme song for the ASEAN Summit 2025, 'Our Land Our Home' — centered on the theme of unity — as a profound and meaningful milestone in her artistic journey. According to Aina, whose full name is Nurul Aina Abdul Ghani, the experience of working with veteran composer Datuk Mokhzani Ismail and lyricist Rafiza Rahman added tremendous value to her growth as a singer. 'I only lent my voice but I feel truly honoured to perform this powerful song. It's in English and there were challenges in pronunciation and the detailed musical notation,' she told Bernama. Recorded at the RTM studio under the guidance of a vocal director and the lyricist herself, the 31-year-old artiste admitted that the technical approach required a high level of discipline, especially in adhering strictly to the notation. 'I usually sing according to how I feel, but this time I had to follow the notation note by note. It was challenging but it taught me to be more meticulous and to respect the composer's work,' she said. Aina said the process of interpreting and delivering the song gave her a deeper appreciation for the theme of ASEAN unity. The 'Puas Sudah' singer said through the storytelling-style lyrics, she came to understand the noble values and unique cultural identities of ASEAN member states. 'This song opened my eyes to the beauty and richness of cultures beyond Malaysia. It reminded me that music has the power to unite us, regardless of borders,' she said. Aina, who won the Best Performance award at the 39th Anugerah Juara Lagu, said the experience of recording the song shifted her perspective on the role of music in conveying powerful messages and fostering unity. She described music as a universal medium capable of transcending cultural and linguistic boundaries, making it an effective tool for regional solidarity. 'We shouldn't underestimate the power of music to bring people together. This song proves that music can cross borders and deliver a powerful message, not just to Malaysians but to listeners across ASEAN,' she added.
The Sun
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Performing ASEAN 2025 theme song a career highlight for Aina
KUALA LUMPUR: Singer Aina Abdul described the opportunity to record the theme song for the ASEAN Summit 2025, 'Our Land Our Home' — centered on the theme of unity — as a profound and meaningful milestone in her artistic journey. According to Aina, whose full name is Nurul Aina Abdul Ghani, the experience of working with veteran composer Datuk Mokhzani Ismail and lyricist Rafiza Rahman added tremendous value to her growth as a singer. 'I only lent my voice but I feel truly honoured to perform this powerful song. It's in English and there were challenges in pronunciation and the detailed musical notation,' she told Bernama. Recorded at the RTM studio under the guidance of a vocal director and the lyricist herself, the 31-year-old artiste admitted that the technical approach required a high level of discipline, especially in adhering strictly to the notation. 'I usually sing according to how I feel, but this time I had to follow the notation note by note. It was challenging but it taught me to be more meticulous and to respect the composer's work,' she said. Aina said the process of interpreting and delivering the song gave her a deeper appreciation for the theme of ASEAN unity. The 'Puas Sudah' singer said through the storytelling-style lyrics, she came to understand the noble values and unique cultural identities of ASEAN member states. 'This song opened my eyes to the beauty and richness of cultures beyond Malaysia. It reminded me that music has the power to unite us, regardless of borders,' she said. Aina, who won the Best Performance award at the 39th Anugerah Juara Lagu, said the experience of recording the song shifted her perspective on the role of music in conveying powerful messages and fostering unity. She described music as a universal medium capable of transcending cultural and linguistic boundaries, making it an effective tool for regional solidarity. 'We shouldn't underestimate the power of music to bring people together. This song proves that music can cross borders and deliver a powerful message, not just to Malaysians but to listeners across ASEAN,' she added.
