It is set to take place on June 28 at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil
by SHAUQI WAHAB
THE streets of Bukit Bintang were buzzing as the afternoon sun lit up Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, where a crowd of eager fans swarmed the entrance for an exclusive sneak peek of Unplugged Stories: Jiwa Kacau 2025.
The excitement was electric — fans gathered in droves, eyes glued to the stage, all hoping to score free tickets to what’s already being called one of the most explosive concerts of 2025.
And with a fire lineup featuring iconic acts like Spider, Hujan, Kerispatih, Bunkface, The Lantis — plus one mystery band still under wraps — the hype was real.
Chants echoed through the plaza as die-hard fans repped their favourite bands, while others went all-in trying to win limited-edition merch and giveaways.
The highly anticipated concert is set to take place on June 28 at the National Hockey Stadium in Bukit Jalil, promising an unforgettable night of music and high-energy performances.
Legendary Malaysian, Indonesian bands
Kicking off the red carpet arrivals at the Unplugged Stories: Jiwa Kacau 2025 preview was none other than Malaysian pop-rock legends, Spider.
Representing the band were guitarist Pown Hasril and drummer Azhri Nasir, better known to fans as Aie, who made their appearance to the cheers of long-time supporters and curious onlookers alike.
Originating from Johor, Spider carved its name into the local music scene in the early 2000s with a distinctive sound — a fusion of rock and traditional Malay musical elements. Under the mentorship of music maestro M Nasir and his Luncai Emas label, the band quickly captured the hearts of Gen X and Y listeners.
Its breakout album Ngam-Ho (2004) featured hits like ‘Relaku Pujuk’ and ‘Kasih Latifah’, which remain beloved classics to this day.
Known for frontman Tam’s unique vocals and poetic lyrics, the band made a mark on the Malaysian music scene by blending modern rock with a local influence.
While Spider has been relatively quiet in recent years, its comeback performances have reignited strong nostalgia among fans.
With its confirmed participation in the upcoming Jiwa Kacau 2025 concert, Spider is once again ready to reconnect with long-time listeners and introduce their legacy to the new generation.
At the preview event, however, it chose to take a step back and allow the spotlight to shine on the younger acts — a deliberate decision that shows Spider’s support for the evolving local scene.
“Spider is making a comeback and starting to get active again as we are releasing new songs and joining in more shows,” Pown added.
Spider is preparing for a special show titled Spider: Unplugged on Oct 25 this year. Tickets will be available through its official Instagram page, Pown added.
Kerispatih is eager to connect with its Malaysian fans
Next up was Kerispatih, the Indonesian pop-rock band from Jakarta that has been a household name across South-East Asia since 2003. Known for its heartfelt ballads and emotional lyrics, the band hit it big with songs like ‘Mengenangmu’ and ‘Demi Cinta’, becoming a staple of Indonesian pop-rock radio in the 2000s.
Although the band originally had the late Sammy Simorangkir as the frontman, Kerispatih’s music continues to connect with fans, even after lineup changes. At the preview event, its new frontman, Fandy Santoso, along with guitarist Arief Morada and drummer Anton Suryo Kusumo, got the crowd buzzing. When they played the iconic track, ‘Tapi Bukan Aku’, local fans — especially the girls — went wild, chanting the band’s name.
Fans were completely mesmerised by Fandy’s heartfelt vocals as he delivered the iconic ballad ‘Mengenangmu’, with the crowd swooning at every note.
Fandy shared his excitement and appreciation for being part of Jiwa Kacau 2025, calling it an honour to share the stage with some of the region’s most iconic acts.
Representing Indonesia, Kerispatih is especially eager to connect with its Malaysian fans — and can’t wait to hear the crowd singing along to the band’s timeless ballads.
Hujan lit up the stage with a cheerful and high-energy performance. It was clear the crowd had been eagerly waiting for Noh Salleh to appear, chanting Hujan as the band made their entrance.
Originally starting as an indie project on Myspace, Hujan burst onto the Malaysian music scene with a raw emotional sound and relatable lyrics.
Led by the charismatic Noh, the band’s self-titled debut album featured standout tracks like ‘Pagi Yang Gelap’ and ‘Bila Aku Sudah Tiada’, earning a devoted fan base known as the Raingers.
Hujan lights up the stage with a cheerful, high-energy performance
Hujan is credited with spearheading Malaysia’s indie rock wave in the late 2000s, and its continued experimentation with musical styles keeps it relevant in the ever-evolving local scene.
The act opened its set with one of its most underrated tracks, ‘Obsesi’.
The upbeat tempo and gritty bassline kept the crowd jumping, with the Raingers singing along enthusiastically.
Noh’s nonchalant yet mischievous personality charmed the audience, drawing laughter with his impromptu antics.
After the song, he took a moment to ask who had already bought the tickets and jokingly talked about trying to get them for free.
He then slowed things down with one of his personal favourites, ‘Rahsia Tuhan’. It was a spectacle to see the crowd so in sync with him, especially as he handed over the chorus to the fans.
This writer was absolutely thrilled when guitarist Hezry Hafidz or AG struck the opening riff of ‘Pagi Yang Gelap’.
The crowd roared in response, and you could feel the atmosphere shift — electric and full of nostalgia.
As the song came to an end, a chorus of ‘Encore! Encore!’ echoed through the venue, with fans hoping Noh would grant them just one more performance.
Unfortunately, time constraints put a stop to that wish. Still, the night ended on a high note when one lucky fan won a ticket after correctly identifying the cover of Hujan’s debut album.
However, Bunkface and The Lantis, both of whom were previously featured in the 2024 edition of the concert were not present at the preview.
Formed in 2006, Bunkface is one of Malaysia’s most iconic pop punk bands.
With infectious anthems like ‘Situasi’, ‘Revolusi’ and ‘Ekstravaganza’, the trio gained widespread popularity among Malaysian youth.
The fans sing along to most of the songs at the preview
Known for high-energy performances and youthful spirit, Bunkface continues to be a staple in the local rock scene and will be at the upcoming concert to keep the crowds pumped.
Meanwhile, The Lantis is a rising indie-rock band from Jakarta known for its fresh sound and heartfelt lyrics, have quickly garnered a loyal following.
Though relatively new to the scene, the band blend modern alternative rock with nostalgic 2000s emo influences. Its participation in Jiwa Kacau 2025 marks a significant breakthrough into the mainstream spotlight.
As the final chords faded into the night and the stage lights dimmed at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, the atmosphere was electric. The Jiwa Kacau 2025 concert preview had delivered an unforgettable teaser, and anticipation for the main event surged to new heights.
Fans streamed out of the venue abuzz with excitement, clutching complimentary tickets handed out during the show and eagerly trading theories about the identity of the yet-to-be-revealed final headliner.
The air was thick with speculation, setting the stage for what promises to be one of the most talked-about music events of the coming year.
- This article first appeared in The Malaysian Reserve weekly print edition
The post Spider, Hujan and Kerispatih ignite excitement for Jiwa Kacau 2025 appeared first on The Malaysian Reserve.
