CANDY, the country’s first all-girl rock band, will take fans down memory lane with its signature hit, Akan Ku Tunggu (among others), at KL Rhythm Nitez: Konsert Rockestra Lagenda tomorrow.
To be held at Panggung Anniversari in Taman Botani Perdana, Kuala Lumpur at 8.45pm, Candy performs together with 10 other rock groups and soloists.
The two-hour concert is jointly presented by Kuala Lumpur City Hall’s Culture, Arts, Tourism and Sports department and Yayasan Kebajikan Artis Tanahair and is co-hosted by Isma Halil and DJ Nadia.
Candy’s leader and lead singer Patricia Roberts said it is their first major concert since their latest lineup three years ago.
“Two of our long-serving founder members, sisters Mary and Connie David, have called it a day due to work and family commitments. Fortunately, we are very much still in contact and they might turn up to give their support,” said Patricia, or Pat, at the recent launch of the concert at the Kuala Lumpur Tourism Bureau in Jalan Tangsi, KL.
The 44-year-old added that even though Candy “slowed down” around the year 2000, it never stopped performing around the members’ home state of Sarawak and the Klang Valley, appearing at corporate events and minor music festivals.
“Our last album Absolute was released in 2008 with 10 tracks that included
Kerana Dia, Leave Me Alone and Let Go,” she said, adding that the band’s first two albums were Candy (1997) and Hot (1999).
“These days we usually perform at Afterwerk Cafe in Jalan Klang Lama. The crowd is pretty big during weekends.”
The 23-year-old band currently comprises Pat and another veteran member, Nancy Graggory, who is from Kuching, Sarawak. In 2016, three new members from Peninsular Malaysia — Anis Kalisa, Kim Herrin and Helda Pily — joined the group.
“We’ll soon be working on a single, and it will be released in November or December. We’re very much into rock, a genre that brought us together, but we do perform sentimental pop songs from time to time,” said Pat, who is married to rock musician Edrie Hashim of Projek Pistol fame.
Besides Candy, Konsert Rockestra Lagenda also features veteran rockers Datuk Nash, Datuk Hattan, Mus and Bandi Amuk, Yantzen of the rock group Rusty Blade, Hatta of Junction, Man Kidal, Nik of Putra, Karl of Dinamik and Ajin of Blackrose.
All the singers and musicians will be accompanied by the 57-member DBKL Orchestra, led by conductor Isa Ismail.
YKAT chairman Datuk DJ Dave said the free concert was to promote homegrown rock music and introduce the country’s rock veterans to younger audiences.
“It’s our move to bring back memories of Panggung Anniversari’s heyday, especially since DBKL has given it a makeover for the tourists of today,” he said, adding that it was YKAT’s fifth concert jointly organised with DBKL over the last seven years.
YKAT trustee Nash said the concert would be an informal one, where audiences can mingle with the performers and vice-versa. “It’s our initiative to bring original music to the masses, in places that are popular with visitors during weekends, and which are also iconic and historical to all of us.
“We hope many rock fans, including aspiring rock musicians, will come and give their support. Who knows, we might discover new, promising musicians along the way,” said Nash, who promises to perform his famous song Pada Syurga Di Wajahmu on request from fans.
“Most of the songs which we will perform are major hits from the 1990s, but we might also sing our own versions of contemporary hit songs by new artistes.”
Dave and Nash thanked City Hall for showing strong support for Malaysian entertainers over the years. “Rock has always been the most popular form of music amongst city dwellers, and this concert is meant to be a tribute not only to the pioneers of Malaysian rock music, but also to the many rock fans who helped make Kuala Lumpur a happening place,” said Dave.
City Hall Culture, Arts, Tourism and Sports department director Mohd Nazam Harun said Panggung Anniversari was the “go to” place in Kuala Lumpur for open-air concerts in the 1970s and 1980s, and many major stars of those decades, including Dave, Nash, Man, Mus and the late Datuk Sudirman Arshad had entertained guests there.
“The outdoor theatre was given a new lease of life over the last few years and we’ve been having several music festival showcases there, with popular local and international artistes.
“Every year, we plan to have some interesting musical showcases there, and we also hope to have collaborations between artistes of different genres on the Panggung Anniversari stage,” he said.
The public can get updates on the concert at KL Cats Events’ Facebook page, or call YKAT at 03-2276 3327.