LOCAL rock giant Search has finally announced that the 'Konsert Search Endemik' will be held on June 4 and 5 at Zepp Kuala Lumpur.
It is hoped that the announcement will quell questions about the concert date which had not been confirmed by the organisers, LOL Asia during the press conference in Ramadan.
“After discussing with the concert organisers, we have decided to add another night. This will give all Search fans, not only in Malaysia but from all over the Asian region, the opportunity to attend.
“We have also met with the Malaysian Minister of Health Khairy Jamaluddin, who fully supports holding this concert and the decision to hold it for two nights.
"Zepp KL has great security features but to ensure the safety of the audience, we are sure this is the best, even though our country has been declared to be going through an endemic transition phase," said Suhaimi Abdul Rahman, or Amy, as the vocalist of the band.
Amy who had previously announced to leave and officially retire from Search has reunited with other members of the original Search band, namely Hillary Ang (guitarist) and Nasir Daud (bass).
Also joining the band are Man Kidal (guitarist) and Joy who will take on the duties of the late Yazit Ahmad as a drummer and perform in the 'Konsert Search Endemik' later.
According to Amy, being the first local artist to hold a concert at Zepp Kuala Lumpur is an honour for them.
“Zepp Kuala Lumpur is the latest international concert venue in Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur.
“It has all the facilities for international standard organisation. It is also soundproof. We only need to bring the band equipment. Everything else is already available.
“The success of this concert is very important because we are trying to produce a new benchmark and create a new concept in showbiz and the country's music industry.
“We also want to create a statement that if we are doing a concert, this is the way to do it. We have to be pioneers to come up with a concert in a new era like this, ”said Amy again.
This 'Konsert Search Endemik' will see Search launch their two new singles 'Endemik 1' and 'Endemik 2'.
“Created by a young composer from Sabah, 'Endemik 1' is a song produced with a fast tempo, while 'Endemik 2' is more of a ballad genre with a two-minute intro.
"Indeed, we have a proposal to make our own songs. All of that is in the planning. But, we first use the song produced by this young composer from Sabah.
“Because it just so happens that this song already exists and it also has a pretty good composition for Search to bring. However, we did the arrangement of the music by adding the nuances of the Search sound itself,” added Amy.
Elaborating on the 'Konsert Search Endemik', Amy said, although they will have new material for the concert, they will still keep their hits and classics.
"Search has been in the industry for over 40 years. Everyone lives with nostalgic songs and everyone has their life journey with Search.
“What is the point of Search performing if we don't play these two songs. Like for the encore songs (closing), we must sing 'Isabella' and 'Pawana'. If we leave out these two songs at the closing, it could get chaotic,” he said with a laugh.
The issue of reuniting Search with another existing Search band has also embroiled them with criticism from netizens.
In answering this question, Amy said he tried his best to accept it with open arms.
"In life, we will always face various challenges. But, if we accept the trials with patience, there will surely be sustenance everywhere.
“The important thing is that we have to believe in God and ourselves. We make our own decisions and our lives. It all starts with one thing, ”he said.
As for the criticism from fellow artists, Amy said, they are free to talk.
"Because I'm not like that. I also don't care about their words. The group members know what I feel like as a frontman.
"As I said, I will keep this issue far away. I am 64 years old – not 24. I only take good things for me to move forward,” he said. – The Vibes, May 9, 2022
The article first appeared in The Vibes' sister publication Getaran.
