The music and live events scene is thriving in Malaysia, and is turning out to be a “good problem” for event organisers.
One such person is Fahmy Sidek, who is organising the Double Strike Showdown, featuring 16 acts of various genres at the Angkasa Space in Cheras, located some 8km outside Kuala Lumpur’s Golden Triangle.
“There have been performances every week since the lockdown restrictions were lifted. Too many, in fact,” said Fahmy, who was once the manager of popular rock group, Def-Gab-C.
The Covid-19 pandemic resulted in various restrictions since 2020. The live events scene was crippled as it was the first to shut down and among the last few to open. However, businesses are slowly regaining their footing as Malaysia transitions from the pandemic to the endemic phase.
This has led to several mega stars like Justin Bieber, Jay Chou, and Blackpink announcing their concert dates in Kuala Lumpur.
Fahmy said while this augured well for the live events scene, he is hoping to create a music festival a la ‘Rock the World’. Rock the World, once a household name in the local music scene, was last held in 2017. However, there had been talks of a comeback, mid-last month.
“It’s important to have such a big music festival to gather all the bands together, to ensure there is a mega platform for them to perform. This will ensure that fans of all genres will get an opportunity to enjoy their favourite bands.
“It need not be done once a year. It can be a weekly or monthly affair, allowing as many bands as possible to showcase their material. I’m eager to create such a stage. It’s in the best interest of our musicians.”
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The Double Strike Showdown will also see hardcore punk group Sickboyz launch its EP.
“The Double Strike Showdown will see an array of bands. The idea is not to limit it to death metal or punk, but to educate listeners on the various genres and subgenres. This is a great way for them to be introduced to a variety of our local music.”
The show will feature hip hop, ska punk, alternative metal, and death metal music, among others.
“It shouldn’t stop here. We should do more, and I really hope to organise a bigger gig. We need the support from all parties, including companies that understand and appreciate music and the live events industry.
“I’m so glad that our local music scene is alive and kicking. We shouldn’t just stop here. We need to raise it to a whole new level,” he added.
Bands performing at Double Strike Showdow
Purbawara (metal)
Sickboyz (hardcore punk)
Rudeen (hip hop)
No Security (punk rock)
Not Your Pet (ska punk)
SPC KAL (Hip Hop)
Dependent (Indie punk)
Kurieji (alternative rock)
Lost Control (hardcore)
Zerophobia (alternative metal)
As I End (death metal)
Sekam (hardcore)
Mental Distotic (metal)
Doom the Dark (darkcore)
Repeat (post rock)
Ruvng (pop rock)
