AFTER more than a decade of rocking the Indonesian music scene, Govinda is finally bringing its infectious energy to Malaysia.
The Jakarta-based band, formed in 2008, is set to stage its debut concert in Kuala Lumpur on Oct 31, and fans are buzzing with excitement.
The show, 'Govinda Hal Hebat @ Kuala Lumpur', at Zepp KL promises a night of hits, surprises, and star-studded collaborations.
But why did it take so long for the band, known for its emotionally charged ballads and powerful anthems, to stage their concert here?
For Govinda, it's all about timing.
Vocalist Ifan Hadari said they've always dreamt of performing for their Malaysian fans, but the timing just hadn't been right-until now.
"We've had our eyes on Malaysia for a while, and it's been amazing to see how much love our songs are getting here," Ifan said with a grin.
"After looking at the numbers, we knew it was finally the right moment to make this happen."
He's not wrong. Their hit single 'Hal Hebat' has racked up over 24 million views on YouTube since its release, and their collaborations with beloved Malaysian artistes like Ernie Zakri have only boosted their popularity.
Their re-recorded version of 'Hal Hebat' with Ernie, released in 2022, is fast approaching 20 million views on YouTube, showing that Govinda has struck a chord with fans on both sides of the border.
It was this collaboration with Ernie that put Govinda on the Malaysian map.
The dynamic partnership continued last November for the heartfelt duet 'Masing Masing', solidifying their presence in the Malaysian music scene.
As if that weren't enough, last month Govinda dropped yet another collaboration — this time with Malaysia's very own powerhouse vocalist, Aina Abdul.
The music video for 'Episode Bahagia' has already garnered attention, with fans praising the band's ability to fuse their signature sound with Aina's soulful voice.
With their first-ever concert looming, Govinda is pulling out all the stops to ensure it's a night to remember.
The concert won't just feature the band; it's a star-studded affair with guest appearances from Ernie, Aina, Elica Paujin, and Fadly, the legendary frontman of Padi, one of Indonesia's biggest rock bands.
But is Govinda simply riding on the coattails of Ernie and Aina's popularity to break into the Malaysian market?
Not at all, according to guitarist Ade Nurulianto.
"Yes, people are starting to know us better in Malaysia because we collaborated with Ernie and Aina, but let's not forget that these are our songs too," Ade said with a laugh.
"So, if anything, maybe they're riding on us!"
It's all said with love, of course, and Ifan was quick to back up his bandmate's statement.
"Especially with collaborations, we shouldn't get caught up in whose name is boosting whose. When Ernie comes to Indonesia, no one says she's riding on our fame. She's already a huge star there, and we celebrate that."
Ernie's star has, indeed, risen in Indonesia, especially after 'Masing Masing' became the soundtrack for the hit Indonesian drama 'Luka Cinta'.
Her growing popularity in both countries is a testament to how music knows no borders.
And for anyone wondering why Govinda keeps collaborating with Malaysia's top female vocalists, Ade has a cheeky answer.
"Well, there are four of us guys, so working with talented ladies just makes sense, right?"
Jokes aside, Ifan added that they'd love to collaborate with male Malaysian singers too, hinting at possible future projects with icons like Anuar Zain or Amy of Search.
But before they think too far ahead, all eyes are on Kuala Lumpur for their grand debut.
And the excitement doesn't stop there — Govinda has also teased an upcoming collaboration with a major band from the Philippines, where they'll be recording a song in both English and Tagalog.
"We're looking forward to that, but we'll focus on it right after this concert," Ifan teased, leaving fans eager for what's next.
For now, Malaysian fans can look forward to an unforgettable night of music, as the rocking quartet, completed by bassist Yosafat Loki Marendra and drummer Ritchie Jeje Ismail, takes the stage to perform their biggest hits, alongside some of Malaysia's brightest stars