THE inaugural Supalapa Festival will be taking place at Resorts World Awana in Genting Highlands, Pahang this weekend (March 2-3).
Featuring 49 local and international artistes, the festival will be headlined by Malaysian singer-songwriter Yuna and Dutch dance music legend Tiesto.
Below, the award-winning 37-year-old local talent talks about her upcoming performance at the two-day event that will showcase electronic dance music, pop and K-pop music on three different stages.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR UPCOMING SHOW
My performance will last for one hour. It's actually like a continuation of my previous Yunaverse show.
It'll have a similar set of song and since the festival time is short, we compressed it to 60 minutes. There will be dancers and I will perform new and old songs.
I'm very excited to perform for the Malaysian fans.
ANY SURPRISES?
There might be surprises for those who didn't catch my previous Yunaverse show. Can't reveal much but hopefully, it'll be a fun show for everyone.
MORE NERVOUS OR EXCITED WHEN YOU PERFORM?
When performing, I'll certainly be nervous. I've been doing this for 15 years but every show is a different and unique one.
I can't compare because for me when I perform, some people may have never seen it before. It's a first time for them, so I want to give them a good first impression. So that's where I'm nervous, but then it's ok.
HOW DO YOU KEEP THE NERVOUSNESS IN CHECK?
One trick many artistes do before a show is to warm up and eat a banana because the fruit enables us to relax and reduce the nervousness.
YOU RETURN TO MALAYSIA EVERY MONTH. ISN'T THAT TIRING?
I'm used to it. I've been in the US for 12 years. I've returned to KL many times and, if possible, I'd want to return once a month.
I usually go back once every 3 months but Alhamdulillah, there are many events in KL. So, since October I've been coming back every month.
Alhamdulillah, I take vitamins, drink water, eat healthy food. I'm ok and healthy and ready to perform.
WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNT FROM THE FESTIVALS YOU'VE PERFORMED AT?
Every festival has a different ambience and vibe. When I'm overseas, I like to see the other artistes' performances and their set ups.
Like at Cocahella, their set up time is only 15 minutes, so I see how they do it in the given time and make it all run smoothly. That's very important.
Hopefully one day we in Malaysia will be like that because we have a lot of talent. There are many sound guys and technicians who are talented and I tend to hire the same people. The new generation will be more talented.
I also like to observe the artistes because the way they prepare themselves is also different.
I will also do a different performance at each festival. I need to be flexible when performing at a festival.
Festivals are a good time to learn and have fun. No pressure to be perfect.
DO YOU HAVE A PARTICULAR FESTIVAL SONG?
Festivals have a different vibe. We get new fans and they want songs that are a bit festive. The one song I'll sing at festivals which I think is the best is Forever More. That's a very festive song.