Although Christmas carols and festive songs may be the order of the day all throughout December, stages across KL are hosting a few other types of music appealing to both the young and the young-at-heart. The city has some treats lined up, including K-Pop royalty, soul-funk legends and a hard rock group set to bring the ruckus!
EXO
Legions of EXO-Ls in KL will be gearing up to welcome back their kings as EXO return to KL to take followers to their fifth planet – EXplOration. As the name suggests, this is the K-Pop boy band’s fifth major world tour which began in July this year at Seoul’s KSPO Dome, and as with all their concerts, it is absolutely packed with the latest in sound design, visuals, stage build and choreography.
The nine-member group made their debut in 2012 as two sub-groups – EXO-K and EXO-M – but has since 2014 performed exclusively as one unit. Their combined discography has sold in excess of 10 million albums worldwide, netting them countless awards and the title “the biggest boy band in the world”.
With their seventh studio album Obsession having dropped just last month, the boys (of which only six will be on stage this month, with three having been enlisted for mandatory military service) will be performing plenty of new material alongside the known stuff – and of course out-of-this-world dance routines!
EXO PLANET # 5 in Kuala Lumpur
WHERE Axiata Arena, Kuala Lumpur
WHEN 6pm (14 Dec)
ADMISSION RM248-RM738
TEL 03 8605 0195
myticket.asia
Halestorm
“Our greatest accomplishment is that we’ve been the same members for over 15 years and we’re
continuing to make and release music,” says Lzzy Hale, the charismatic lead singer and rhythm guitarist of American hard rock band Halestorm. They’ve more than still got it as the Grammy-award winning group showed on their fourth album, Vicious, released last year and hailed as one of their most personal and inventive album’s to date.
From the gritty title track which speaks of overcoming obstacles and being fierce – something which Hale has had to deal with all her life, being a female in a male dominated industry – to one of the first songs written for the album, Uncomfortable, which showcases her impressive vocals with rapid-fire licks, the album is everything one could want from Halestorm.
Since their inception, the band has toured extensively with a diverse variety of artistes, having played some 2,500 shows in their lifetime. Having out-survived many of its peers, it’s clear to see each band member is still has hungry as ever to do what they were born to – rock venues to the core!
Halestorm Live in Malaysia
WHERE PGRM Tower, Star Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur
WHEN 9pm (14 Dec)
ADMISSION RM228-RM588
TEL 03 7880 7999
proticket.com.my
Al McKay’s Earth Wind & Fire Experience
Christmas Eve is made extra special up in Resorts World Genting this month as the hill top destination welcomes Al McKay’s Earth Wind & Fire Experience for a show of golden ‘70s tunes.
Performed by Al McKay’s L.A. All Stars, a band which comprises former members of Earth Wind & Fire (EWF), the Experience is a show that recreates the iconic funk-soul outfit’s material down to a tee. The legendary erstwhile guitarist of EWF, McKay put together the band in the ‘90s and has been touring with them ever since.
The Experience is more than a few rungs above your average tribute band, with hits like Boogie Wonderland, Let’s Groove, Fantasy and the enduring September being perfectly rendered with the original groove and feel. There’s arguably no other band today that can do it as well as McKay and his crew.
At heart of it all is McKay’s awesome guitar work, with all the other sections of his band – horns, rhythms, vocals and percussion – working in perfect harmony to bring to life that EWF sound that came to define a generation or two.
Get your groove on for Christmas and don’t miss this one!
Al McKay’s Earth Wind & Fire Experience Christmas Eve Concert
WHERE Arena of Stars, Resorts World Genting, Pahang
WHEN 10pm (24 Dec)
ADMISSION RM196-RM626
TEL 03 2718 1118
rwgenting.com