#SHOWBIZ: Rabbani ready to re-ignite the stage

AFTER more than two decades in the music industry, Malaysia’s pioneering contemporary nasyid group, Rabbani, is no stranger to staging large-scale concerts.

Having headlined numerous mega performances over the years, the group has long cemented its place as one of the most respected names in the Islamic music scene.

Next month, Rabbani is set to return to the big stage with a major event of their own — ‘Konsert Intifada Rabbani’.

Scheduled for Sept 20 at Idea Live Arena in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, the concert will run for two hours, and promises a night filled with powerful music, spiritual reflection and creative artistry.

Rabbani, best known for their groundbreaking track ‘Intifada’, will once again feature their core line-up: Azadan Abdul Aziz, Asri Ubaidullah, Zulkiflee Azman, Luqman Abd Aziz, Muhammad Rithauddeen, Mohamad Afandi Shahbudin and Ahmad Shafie.

For lead vocalist and group leader Azadan, this concert marks an important milestone for the group, one which he embraces with calm confidence rather than pressure.

“By God’s will, there is no sense of pressure,” he said at a press conference held in Kuala Lumpur to announce on the upcoming performance.

“From the very beginning of our journey, we have always performed at major events and festivals.

“Our mission has always been to celebrate Islamic art and culture through music. We want to present songs with positive messages while also infusing creativity in how we perform, from the arrangements to the costumes.”

Still, he admitted that the greatest challenge lies in maintaining strong, consistent vocals.

“Our songs are vocally demanding, so that’s something we always keep an eye on.

“We’re currently rehearsing intensively in the studio, not just doing regular practise but also full jam sessions to prepare.

“We don’t have a formal vocal coach, but all of us act as teachers to one another, and we often seek advice from peers in the industry,” said Azadan.

ADDING DRAMA TO THE STAGE

For this edition of its concert, Rabbani intends to offer something different.

In addition to refreshing music arrangements, it plan to incorporate theatrical elements into the performance by featuring well-known Malaysian actors on stage.

“Whenever we meet fellow performers at shows, the focus is usually on the event itself and we rarely have time to discuss deeper ideas,” said Azadan.

“This time, we want to inject dramatic emotion into the concert experience.

“We’ve already identified several actors, but for now, we’re keeping the names under wraps.”

According to Azadan, these theatrical segments would complement the group’s repertoire, creating a more immersive and memorable experience for the audience.

Interestingly, Azadan also revealed that Rabbani has received numerous offers to stage major concerts in recent years, but most were declined because the proposed conditions were not met.

“Three years ago, we held a concert where tickets only sold out during the final 10 days, reaching more than 3,000 sales.

“It was tough in the beginning and it taught us that even with a big name, tickets don’t automatically sell. We rely not just on media promotions but also on grassroots and offline campaigns,” he said.

Because of these lessons, the group has become more selective about which organisers they work with.

“Many have approached us, but unless the requirements are met, we don’t proceed.

For this concert, we agreed to collaborate with Universe Gateway because they showed commitment and a structured working system,” said Azadan.

Apart from the promised acting talents, the concert will also feature guest appearances from respected nasyid group Brothers, along with solo acts by Yabang and Aeydan.

PROMISING IMPROVEMENTS

For Universe Gateway, this concert represents a chance to rebuild credibility after criticism from their previous event, ‘Journey of Sound: Judika & Siti Nurhaliza’ in 2024.

At the time, concertgoers complained about poor seating arrangements, with some VIP ticket holders ending up in standard zones.

Acknowledging the past shortcomings, Universe Gateway’s deputy chairman, Zambri Mohd Isa, assured that lessons had been learnt.

“For this concert, we’ve made several improvements in planning and operations.

“We can’t promise perfection, but we are committed to minimising mistakes. This time, the event will be held indoors to avoid the logistical issues we faced previously,” he said at the press conference.

He added that the company has never shied away from responsibility.

“When problems arose, we addressed them directly, including refunding affected customers. We believe these measures will help restore public confidence in our capability,” Zambri said.

For Rabbani, protecting their legacy and reputation remains paramount.

“We are fully aware of the past issues involving the organiser, but we are not going to let those shadows linger over us,” said Azadan.

“As a precaution, we set conditions for the promoters, including contingency plans if ticket sales don’t meet expectations. We believe a well-structured system is essential to ensure smooth execution.”

Ultimately, Rabbani’s return with this concert is about more than just music.

It’s about upholding the essence of nasyid — a genre that blends spirituality, artistry and cultural pride — while also pushing boundaries in how such performances are staged.

With a combination of uplifting Islamic music, dramatic storytelling and appearances by guest stars, the concert is shaping up to be one of the group’s most ambitious and memorable undertakings yet.

For fans old and new, it promises not just a concert, but also an experience that bridges faith, creativity, and the enduring power of Rabbani’s music.

© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd

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