Klang Valley will feel the pulse of rock royalty when American tribute artiste Fernando Castro takes the stage on Sept 26 at the Subang Golf Club.
For two hours, audiences can expect a celebration of Queen’s timeless anthems, brought alive by a performer with an uncanny take on Freddie Mercury.
Castro is no stranger to big stages. His reputation was forged in the competitive Las Vegas tribute circuit, where only the most convincing performers survive.
His voice and stage presence have since carried him to audiences in Australia and beyond. What sets him apart, he says, is respect. “I never wanted to copy Freddie — that would be impossible.”
“What I try to do is capture his energy and joy, so that people can feel what it might have been like to see him live,” Castro told FMT.
This Malaysian debut will be especially unique because he’ll be meeting Malaysian fans of Queen for the first time and Castro is looking forward it.
“It’s always exciting to play in front of new audiences and from what I’ve heard, Malaysian fans rank up there among the best in the world.
“Besides, I love that this is for a good cause, helping out Malaysian singers and musicians in need of assistance” he said.
The concert is organised by MyTicketAsia and supported by Persatuan Karyawan Malaysia, with part of the proceeds channelled to Karyawan’s artistes’ welfare fund.
The fund provides vital support to local musicians who have fallen on hard times, a cause that has grown urgent as many veterans of Malaysia’s music scene struggle to keep afloat.
Among those who had received aid from Karyawan include the late vocalist Vernon Steele, bassist Afzarezal, musicians Ray Rozells, Ronnie Felix and Jonet from RTM.
For Karyawan president Freddie Fernandez, the concert carries an extra personal note.
His own band, The Revolvers, carved their name in the 1980s by daring to cover “Bohemian Rhapsody” at the Glass Bubble in the Jayapuri Hotel, long before tribute shows were common.
“As a Queen fan myself, I am looking forward to enjoying all my favourite songs together with the other fans attending,” he said.
For him, the show will be both a reunion with the music that shaped a generation and a chance to extend help to fellow musicians who now need it most.
Tribute acts have long found eager audiences in Malaysia. Whether it’s the music of The Beatles, Abba, or Elvis, local fans have shown a deep affection for faithful recreations of the classics.
Perhaps that’s because they offer a taste of performances many missed in their original era.
Queen’s music, in particular, has a unique grip on Malaysian fans. With the release of the 2018 biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, younger generations discovered the swagger of Mercury alongside the diehard fans who kept his legacy alive.
That mix of generations is what excites Castro. “At every show, I see parents singing along with their kids.
“Freddie’s songs have become part of family soundtracks all over the world. That’s what makes them timeless,” he said.
What audiences can expect is not a mere singalong but a full-scale tribute, complete with the iconic look, the larger-than-life moves, and a setlist designed to rekindle the drama and fun of a Queen concert.
While Mercury remains irreplaceable, Castro offers a rare chance to relive the magic with authenticity, skill, and heart.
“Freddie gave everything he had to the audience. If people leave the concert hall with that same sense of joy and release, then I’ll know I’ve done my job,” he said.
Fernandez said: “Beyond a night of music, the event represents a way for fans to celebrate a legend, support Malaysia’s own artistes, and share in an experience that promises to be both joyous and meaningful.
“The hall won’t just echo with old favourites — it will carry the sound of connection, memory, and the enduring belief that Queen’s music still brings people together,” he added.
Tickets are priced at RM170 and RM190 inclusive of dinner, with tables of 10 available for groups. Limited VVIP tables are available at RM3,000 and RM5,000.
