November has been a month to remember for Malaysia, as the country played host to some of the biggest international music acts, bringing the world’s top artists right to its doorstep. From sizzling pop stars to iconic rock legends, Malaysia’s stages were alive with electrifying performances that had fans dancing, singing, and cheering together.
These were some highlights:
Fujii Kaze
All the way from Japan, Fujii on his 2024 Asia Tour performed in Malaysia on Nov 2,bringin his blend of contemporary Japanese Pop and Rhythm and Blues (R&B) music to the Axiata Arena.
Performing one of his viral songs Shinunoga E-wa, wrapped with catchy melodies, surely got the fans singing along to the song, especially during the chorus of ‘Shinunoga E-wa’ which means ‘I’d rather die’ which entails about someone who would rather die than be separated by their loved one.
He also mesmerszed fans with his exceptional piano skills, which helped him gain fame in Japan before being recognised internationally. His breakthrough came with his debut performances in 2020, showcasing tracks from his album Help Ever Never Hurt. These included piano-driven pieces like "Nan-Nan" and "Mo-Eh-Wa," which highlighted his virtuosity and captivated audiences around the world.
Ne-Yo
An ultimate artist for millenials, the Hollywood star-studded Ne-Yo is famous for timeless songs such as One in a Million released in 2010 and Let Me Love You in 2012. Currently on his Self-Explanatory Tour, he recently performed in Malaysia on Nov 9 and Nov 10 at the Plenary Hall, Kuala Lumpur, the second day being held upon high demand which highlights his popularity in Malaysia.
Known for his R&B style with a few being upbeat and some other serving an emotional tone, he might have definitely had his tickets selling out fast further leading to an extension of another day of his performance, whose songs also resurfaced on social media and regaining popularity among the new generation such as She Knows, So Sick and Closer.
His new album, released in 2022, includes U 2 Luv featuring Jeremih and Handle Me Gently, with 11 other songs exploring the same R&B genre.
Akon
The Senegalese-American artist who has been famous since the early-2000s with his major hits such as Smack That featuring Eminem and I Wanna Love You featuring Snoop Dogg, also made an appearance in Malaysia during his Superfan Tour on Nov 19.
The internationally successful artist, who began his career with speaking about themes of imprisonment, further became famous for collaborating with other artists and producing performed a mixed genre of hip-hop and R&B with his timeless hits such as Right Now (Na Na Na).
Dua Lipa
The Albanian singer who first came to Malaysia on 2018, returned to the country again as part of her Radical Optimism Tour on Nov 23 and 24 to highlight her pop, disco and funk-inspired music.
Mesmerising the audience with not just her singing ability, she also stunned the audience with her beauty and dynamic dance moves, where she continuously developed over the years, accumulating the motivation sparking from prior criticism to her inability to dance well when she was in the beginning phase of her career through videos that went viral.
Signature songs such as Training Season and Houdini from her latest album, Dance The Night from the Barbie movie and classic songs such as One Kiss and New Rules must have definitely had the fans, or termed by Dua as her loves, danced their days away!
5. Imagine Dragons
Imagine Dragons, the powerhouse behind chart-toppers like Believer, Natural, Thunder, and Whatever It Takes, rocked the Bukit Jalil Stadium on November 21, leaving fans—aka "Dragons"—in awe as they sold out tickets in mere days.
With a signature blend of rock, pop-rock, andalternative rock, their anthemic sound is impossible to resist. Fans belted out hits like Thunder as if the lyrics were embedded in their minds long before the first note played.
Viral clips flooded TikTok and social media, capturing iconic moments, including frontman Dan Reynolds delivering powerhouse vocals while flaunting his signature swoon-worthy charm
6. Arijit Singh
This year marked Arijit's third time performing in Malaysia. The concert highlighting his melodious vocals enabled the audience to enjoy his timeless hits such as Janam Janam, Chaleya and Tum Hi Ho.
Arijit Singh’s concert on November 16 at the Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil, provided fans with an unforgettable night of emotional connection and pure musical magic. The event was a celebration of his iconic voice, beloved by Bollywood fans for its ability to elevate the emotional depth of films.
Looking ahead, 2024 promises even more stellar shows. International artists like Aurora will grace Zeppelin Kuala Lumpur on Feb 2 as part of her What Happened to the Heart? tour, followed by The Script at Mega Star Arena on Feb 9 for their Satellites World Tour.
Hoobastank will also perform at Zeppelin on Feb 10, Green Day at the National Hockey Stadium on Feb 18, and Keshi at Axiata Arena on Feb 24 as part of his REQUIEM Tour.
Be sure to stay on top of presale dates to secure your tickets and avoid the regret of missing out!