Merdeka celebration this year sucks big time!!!!! I didn't celebrate Merdeka last year as I was sailing at that time. Because of that, I was really looking forward to this year's celebration. Since there was no news of any worthy concert happening at Bukit bintang, I decided to go to IKANO Power Centre at Mutiara Damansara instead. Ok, to give them some credit, it wasn't THAT bad.. But I can't help comparing it to the 2002 celebration at Bukit bintang which was really awesome. The atmospehere in 2002 was really different. The concert line up were great, and even when we're having fun at the concert, there was still a feeling of pride and patriotism. I really felt great for being a malaysian that night. How can you forget Gerhana Ska Cinta performing that Sudirman's number with a ska flavour (
Tanggal 31 if im not mistaken
) and Love Me Butch playing the national's anthem. Padi was the main attraction that night and they surely didn't disapoint their fans who turned out that night. Even non-fans were converted that night.heh...The crowd was also great. People couldn't stop waving their flag through out the concert, shouting Merdeka!! In fact, I can say that it was the best out door concert that i have attended in Malaysia. And it was FOC!!.....Fast forward to last merdeka eve, the performers were good, there were games, hot air balloon ride, and stuff like that. The venue was a bit cramped though.But the important thing is, it didn't soar to the same great heights which was achieved back in 2002. It feels just like an empty celebration. I felt neither proud nor patriotic. It was just all flash and seems to be of no substance. Just an empty and pointless celebration for fun in the name of Merdeka. A lame excuse for a party. Heck, even the countdown was late by at least 2 minutes. How I miss MerdekaTone and MerdekaWow. Too bad the magazine and radio station is not around anymore. It is a big loss to the Malaysian music scene.
However, putting the celebration aside, that night is still personally special to me.I love that night, just hate the celebration. hehehe.......