JOHOR Baru born rock giant Search is back in action after its hugely successful Konsert Fantasia Bulan Salju which was held at the Arena Of Stars in Genting Highlands, Pahang last August.
That mountain-top rock festival was Search's first concert at the popular holiday resort.
In September, the legendary rock band comprising Datuk Suhaimi Abdul Rahman, or Amy, Nasir Daud, Hillary Ang and Abdul Rahman Mahmood, or Man Kidal, will mark its first major "operatic rock concert".
On Sept 21 at the Mega Star Arena in Sungei Wang Plaza, Kuala Lumpur, Search will put on a two-hour extravaganza titled 'Search Symphonic Live In Kuala Lumpur'.
Amy, Nasir, Hillary and Man will perform about 20 of the band's hit songs with brand new operatic arrangements, in collaboration with experienced orchestral musicians from around the country.
Search's biggest concert of the year is organised by Persatuan Rekreasi Global Malaysia (PRGM).
PRGM programme director Mohd Roslan Mohd Rofi said Search is synonymous with great rock music and the band is one of the titans of Malaysian rock music.
"Rock music is very popular with Malaysians from all walks of life. Many of us grew up with Search's evergreen songs, such as 'Isabella', 'Isi Dan Kulit', 'Nur Nilam Sari', 'Gadisku', 'Fantasia Bulan Madu', 'Seroja' and 'Pawana'," said Roslan at the launch of the concert in Petaling Jaya recently.
ROCK AND OPERA
Roslan said Amy, Search's charismatic lead singer, is a household name in the country, down to earth, friendly, funny and can easily mingle with fans of all ages.
"Amy is always young at heart. Fans have described him as the country's grooviest grandpa on the big stage.
"We are very honoured to work with Search for this out of the ordinary concert.
"It will be an interesting marriage of rock and opera. It will make for an explosive and exciting two-hour show with lots of audience participation."
Roslan said PRGM was confident Malaysians would enjoy the concert and sing along with their rock heroes all the way.
Amy said Search had performed its songs with orchestras before, but the upcoming concert was a "full-fledged merge of orchestral and rock music".
"Even though we are working with an orchestra, our performance will not be a formal one. There will be ample chance for our fans to boogie in their seats."
He said fans would be able to sway in their seats, clap, wave and sing along to Search's hit songs at the concert.
"It is not an easy task to make rock songs sound orchestral, but we will do our best to make it happen."
He said the band always believed in experimenting with different music fusions.
MUSIC HARMONY
Nasir said rock and classical music was a magnetic combination, as the legendary British rock band Queen, which Search admires, had proved in its heydays in the 1970s and 1980s.
"Our experienced sound engineers will play a crucial role in making the concert a success.
"They know how to create the right sound to magnify rock and harmonise it with orchestral music."
He said most of the band's popular songs will be performed at the concert, as well as some less known ones.