THE weather was great, and a full moon shone in the sky.
On that night, Malaysia's beloved Queen of Pop Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza majestically entered historical Stadium Merdeka, driven in a convoy of four white sports cars, the first of which ferried her.
Flashing her trademark radiant smile as she waved to the 24,000-strong crowd who came from as far as Indonesia, Siti or Tok Ti kicked off her final concert for 2024.
Lasting over two hours, and ending with a display of fireworks at 11pm, the concert was not Siti's alone as her co-star, Indonesian Idol graduate Judika sang just as many songs on the big stage.
And the co-stars of The Journey Of Sound: Judika & Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza also had a worthy opening act, one of their favourite Malaysian pop-rock icons Faizal Tahir.
OUTSTANDING
The ever-suave Faizal opened the show at 8.30pm sharp before Siti's and Judika's convoy zoomed into the stadium.
Dressed in his trade-mark, shiny grey jacket, he belted out four of his most popular sing-along hits namely the poignant and powerful 'Mahakarya Cinta' and 'Sampai Syurga', and the light and upbeat 'Santai' and 'OK'.
Siti's and Judika's arrival naturally got everyone cheering — even the construction workers on the nearest building site adjacent to the Warisan Merdeka Tower (Merdeka 118).
The duo soon emerged on stage, dressed in matching, stunning silver-and-light-blue outfits, and waved to the crowd.
Siti even waved to the construction workers and remarked that they clearly had the best view of her show.
Looking and sounding picture-perfect from the word go, Siti delivered 14 flawless songs, and also had eight power-packed duets with Judika.
Siti's first songs were the light and easy 'Siti Situ Sana Sini', a play on her name and her busy schedule and the catchy 'Ku Milikmu' made famous by the drama series 'Spa Q' and its sequel.
"Good evening ladies and gentlemen. I'm so happy to see all of you tonight. Do sing along with me," said Siti.
She then delivered the sing-along 'Kesilapanku Keegoanmu', as well as a powerful medley of 'Pastikan' and 'Seindah Biasa', which spoke of striving to be the best and holding on to one's dreams.
ENDINGS
Her next songs, 'Diari Hatiku' and 'Bicara Manis Menghiris Kalbu' were poignant songs about turbulent relationships, and she reminded fans that happy endings were "real hard work".
Another medley followed, combining the optimistic 'Percayalah' and 'Azimat Cinta', that spoke of honesty in pursuing love, and how perseverance rewards us.
Siti once again had the crowd singing along to her monster hit 'Bukan Cinta Biasa' which has since spawned cover versions in various languages including Russian.
Moving on to a West Asian sound, the Queen of Pop then got everybody swaying at their seats to 'Hati Kama', 'Ya Maulai' and 'Balqis'.
Her segment drew to a close with her latest single, a treat for everyone who made her musical journey a success.
Titled 'Sejarah', it was a song with deep, personal meaning composed by Indonesian maestro Erwin Gutawa with lyrics by his daughter Gita Gutawa.
Siti said that 'Sejarah' was not just a song, but a celebration of her 30-year-long career.
"It's not only about me, but all of you too. Thank you for being part of my journey," said Siti.
INSPIRATION
Next up was Siti's co-star Judika who admitted that Siti had always been his inspiration.
Dressed in a silver and blue suit, Judika sang 14 songs including 'Bukan Rayuan Gombal', 'Sampai Akhir', 'Sampai Kau Jadi Milikku,' 'Jikalau Kau Cinta', Mama Papa Larang, Aku Yang Tersakiti, 'Putus Atau Terus', 'Gerimis Mengundang', 'Mencari Alasan', 'Rindu Serindu-Rindunya', and 'Cinta Karna Cinta'.
He displayed superb piano-playing on the first song, and got the crowd chanting in the third, as well as singing along to the others, especially his own love story 'Mama Papa Larang', heartbreak anthem 'Aku Yang Tersakiti', the upbeat 'Putus Atau Terus' and 'Cinta Karna Cinta', and the Korean drama inspired 'Bagaimana Kalau Aku Tidak Baik-Baik Saja'.
The most interesting of his songs was his first attempt at singing an all-Malaysian medley comprising Slam's 'Gerimis Mengundang', Spoon's 'Rindu Serindunya' and Exists' 'Mencari Alasan'.
POPULAR
Siti then reemerged on stage, and sang her duets with Judika namely their hugely popular 'Kisah Ku Inginkan', Judika's 'Bukan Dia Tapi Aku' and 'Setengah Mati Merindu', Govinda's 'Hal Hebat', Exists' 'Buih Jadi Permaidani', Siti's 'Wajah Kekasih' and Nirmala and Search's 'Fantasia Bulan Madu'.
It was most refreshing to see them tackle the Search song, and more so when they sang it beneath a full moon on a clear sky.
FIREWORKS
As soon as the booming fireworks ended the show with a literal bang, Siti and Judika once again waved to their fans, including the workmen and spectators who were equipped with luminous blue and red wristbands.
"Thank you so much, ladies and gentlemen. You've made me the happiest person tonight," said Siti as her fans roared back "We love you Tok Ti".
Now that she has been crowned Biduanita Negara, an honour for female artistes only shared with the late Puan Sri Saloma and Datuk Sharifah Aini, Siti can now count herself a Srikandi (National Heroine).