THE recent edition of Radio Television Malaysia's (RTM) 'Konsert Ini Baru Bintang 4.0' at the Seri Angkasa Auditorium in Angkasapuri Kota Media, Kuala Lumpur, saw an attendance of more than 1,000 music lovers.
Themed 'Solidarity With Palestine', the concert showcased a string of local artistes, including Malaysia's No. 1 singer, Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza Tarudin.
The songlist was made up of series of tunes that straddled the universal lines of peace and spirituality as a sign of support for the Palestinian people who are experiencing tremendous pain and suffering in Gaza.
The 150-minute show, which was also broadcast on RTM's TV2, kicked off with a moving rendition of Faizal Tahir's song, 'Assalamualaikum', by Haqiem Rusli, Ayie of Floor 88, Zahid and the National Choir.
Popular singer and actor from the 1980s, Raisuddin Hamzah, then took to the stage to belt out 'Suatu Masa'.
Next, it was Sharifah Zarina's turn to perform 'Dawai', the soundtrack for the 2023 Indonesian movie 'Air Mata Di Ujung Sejadah', which has since become a phenomenon after it went viral on social media.
The former Bintang RTM 1999 runner-up also performed her song, 'Langit Ke Tujuh'.
Then, saxophonist Jaffar Abd Rahman or Jari swayed the audience with his version of 'Heal The World'.
Sabahan artiste Zizi Kirana performed Malique's 'Sedih Hati' and 'Atouna El Toufoule', accompanied by the National Choir and Palestinian children from Palestine Forum Malaysia, which drew rousing applause.
This was followed by singers Santesh and Daniel Sher belting out 'Zombie' and Haqiem Rusli's 'Tergantung Sepi'.
Zahid then sang 'Laskar Cinta', before Ayie of Floor 88 performed 'Fragile'.
This was followed by Zahid, Santesh and Sher delivering the Black Eyed Peas' hit, 'Where Is The Love', together.
Hosted by Awal Ashaari, the concert took it a notch up with a special appearance by award-winning songbird Dayang Nurfaizah, who belted out a moving rendition of 'Greatest Love Of All' with the National Choir.
She also delivered a wondrous medley of 'Seandainya Masih Ada Cinta', 'Di Pintu Syurga' and 'Great Men'.
The climax of 'Konsert Ini Baru Bintang 4.0' was when Siti Nurhaliza took to the stage for a stunning performance of 'Sehebat Matahari'.
The mellifluous songstress also delivered a medley of popular songs, which included 'Azimat Cinta', 'Bicara Manis Menghiris Kalbu' and 'Aku Bidadari Syurgamu'.
Another moving moment was when she chanted the lyrics to the song, 'Oda Bumi Anbiya'.
The concert ended with a rousing performance of 'We Are The World' by all the artistes who took to the stage and sang as one in solidarity with the Palestinians.
Previously, RTM had organised three other 'Konsert Ini Baru Bintang' shows that brought together various now-famous artistes who had started their careers by performing on RTM shows.
The first edition of 'Konsert Ini Baru Bintang' was staged in July, 2.0 in September and 3.0 in October.
The special concerts were held in conjunction with the rebranding of 'Bintang RTM 2024,' which celebrates the creative people born from the government broadcasting station's singing and talent programmes.