New Boyz takes a break to focus on personal pursuits
Lead vocalist Tomok said the ‘25th Anniversary New Boyz Live’ in Singapore concert held last October was their final performance before taking a break.
KUALA LUMPUR - After a much-celebrated comeback with a series of reunion concerts, iconic band New Boyz, which captured the hearts of teenagers since their debut in 1999, has announced a temporary hiatus.
Lead vocalist Tomok, whose real name is Shah Indrawan Ismail, 40, said the ‘25th Anniversary New Boyz Live’ in Singapore concert held last October was their final performance before taking a break. The decision, reached collectively, allows members to dedicate time to their personal careers.
"(However) New Boyz is not disbanding; we’re still very much here. It’s just a short break, maybe for two or three years. After that, we’ll be back. Over the past two years, we’ve delivered two major concerts, including one in Singapore this year,” Tomok said.
"We believe that doing back-to-back performances might reduce the excitement. If we organise concerts every year, fans could grow tired. Instead, we want to create a sense of anticipation among our fans.
"When that moment comes, we’ll make a grand return," he told a press conference for the ‘Tomok and Siti Nordiana: Memori Mungkin Berulang’ concert here yesterday.
New Boyz, who were active until 2007 before stepping away from the entertainment scene, rose to fame with timeless hits such as Sejarah Mungkin Berulang, Meraung, Marah Bukan Sifatku, and Luka Mu Luka Ku Jua.
Tomok, the band’s lead vocalist and winner of the third season of the reality show ‘One In A Million’, confirmed that he will continue performing New Boyz’s popular songs during his solo stage appearances while the group takes a break. He said this arrangement is mutually understood by the band members, as it aligns with fans’ expectations.
"Even if I release new songs that gain popularity, fans still prefer to hear New Boyz’s classics. I’ve been performing these songs for years, and the other members know this. It’s part of my career, and they also have their own careers,” he explained.
Looking ahead, Tomok shared his excitement for his upcoming collaboration with Siti Nordiana at their joint concert in Kuala Lumpur on Feb 1, organised by his company, Popsicle Records.
He shared that the idea for the event was sparked by the positive response to Siti Nordiana’s special appearance at the New Boyz concert in July.
Tomok described this collaboration as both a unique artistic venture and a heartfelt tribute to fans who have supported them steadfastly for over two decades.
"This is the perfect time to hold a concert with Siti Nordiana, giving fans a chance to relive and cherish memories from the past, especially since I began my music journey as a schoolboy in the 90s,” he said, adding that he also aspires to organise a solo concert in the future. - BERNAMA
