I Slank U ‘The Journey of the Blue Island’

It was a satiated 3.5-hour concert! Usually taken place at a kind of an open air venue, this time, Slank presents something different. They performed exclusively at a five-star hotel, Ritz Carlton, Pacific Place, Jakarta.

The ticket price indicates that visitors are selected. The ticket price for Festival class is IDR 750,000 and VIP class charges IDR 1.2 million. However, such conditions did not depress about 3,500 fans of Slank to infest the hotel’s ballroom on Friday night (11/5).

Such excellence made the atmosphere was obviously different. Usually, flags of Slank always had occupied the venue. Moreover, on another particular concert, where there was no Slank as the headline. Last night, flaps of flags did not impede our vision when witnessing Slank. Meanwhile, most of the crowd were fragrant as well as wore high-heels. Kaka ‘Slank’ admitted a posy of flowers from his female fan. The 3.5 hours duration was quite long to enjoy whilst stood up. In addition, the crowd were required to wait, since the concert was delayed an hour from the schedule printed on the ticket.

Afterwards, those who wore high-heels started to give up. On the third session of the concert, many visitors started to sit on the floor under the edge of the stage. There were also some who decided to leave the concert before 00.00 A.M. as the concert was not over yet. Considering the ticket price and the concert’s duration, spectators who took Festival category were supposed to have seats.

The concert was commenced on 21.00 P.M. Slank entered the ballroom not to start to act. They actually took seats on VIP. They witnessed other musicians’ performance, who gave a tribute on Slank’s birthday. It was in accordance with the venue, Slank appeared in quite stylish suits. The drummer, Bimbim, put a high hat on his head, alike that of the Guns n Roses’ guitarist, Slash, does.

Naif commenced the first music. “Memang” abruptly made the crowd demonstrated their vocals accompanying the vocalist, David.

David’s words were completed by his distinct humorous communication. As he was about to sing “I Miss U, But I Hate U”, David withdrew a sheet of lyric to read. So he instantly defended himself, “Sorry, I do not get by heart the song. I’m a kind of vocalist who is reluctant to con over other artist’s song,” David uttered, which made the crowd laughed.

“To Kaka, six packs salute to you,” the vocalist, who is now scraggier, said.

Seen quite far, a Diana Ross-alike woman entered the stage. The curly hair of Dira Sugandi made her the world’s diva alike. The glittered gown that Dira wore added her elegancy element, which was in accordance with the decoration of luxury crystal lightings, which adorned the ceiling. The arrangement of jazz-nuanced “Foto dalam Dompet” was performed sexily.

The vocalist of Drew, Sashi Gandarum enlivened the venue by “#1″. The crowd took the role of Sashi, sang the song on its beginning part. She just gave a slight smile through her black lipstick on lips, whilst accompanied the crowd sang by her acoustic guitar.

Alexa injected a power pop arrangement on “Jakarta Pagi Ini”, “Terlalu Manis” and “Mawar Merah”. Each song actually got addition of the crowd’s vocals, whose got by heart every lyric of Slank’s songs.

A visitor sat behind asked us, ”who is this?” She was Kartika Jahja. That night, Tika wore black blazer with her hair had been cut a half bald. “Kirim Aku Bunga” became a jazz composition that was heard alluring and melodious.

Pure Saturday delivered “Koepoe Liar” and “Kalah”. The chosen song did not get quite sufficient response of glorious singing from the crowd. PS arranged the two songs excellently, so those songs as if the band’s own properties. They were presented distinctively through the sounds of guitar.

On the second session, it was the time for Slank to perform. One by one, instruments were brought in the stage. Big-sized Amplifiers were aligned on each side of the stage. The drum set was put on a mini-short stage, and dragged to the center part.

The warming choir of “Pulau Biru” and “Bang Bang Dut” was accompanied by orchestra. A white curtain decorated a side near the orchestra. Lighting system had already radiated the lights. “Bang Bang Tut” was instantly delivered in guitar’s thrumming. The crowd could not stand to sing a.

Afterwards, the crowd asked Kaka to take off his transparent, un-sleeved, blue suit. However, Kaka refused to do son, since he was asked earlier not to exaggeratedly show off his six-packed stomach.

“Tong Kosong” was then delivered wildly. Kaka mastered the stage by twisting his microphone. He was actually too exuberant so it battered the crowd. “Somebody was hit by this microphone? It’s a pity,” Kaka said, and he continued by an apology. Just be calm, nobody was injured.

“Virus” united the crowd’s vocals. “Mars Slankers” then instantly made hot the vibe, which was cool by Air Conditioner earlier. “Lo Harus Grak” instantly continued the gig. “Jurus Tandur” was coupled with “Garuda Pancasila”. Slank then stopped the music accompaniment to let the people sang.

“Pak Tani” was delivered then, along with an instant polling on the election of nominees for the upcoming DKI Jakarta’s Governor. Apparently, the crowd’s votes were divided on voting for nominees, such as for Jokowi-Ahok and Alex-Nono. However, as the name of Fauzi Bowo was mentioned, the crowd reacted aloud.

“Will it be possible that Fauzi Bowo and his deputy would be elected for another official term as Governor of Jakarta?” Kaka asked.

The answer then he said himself, “It would be impossible, it needs another a hundred years to be elected.” Possibly, the heavy traffic jam along the streets of the Capital City on that Friday night provoked such opinion.

Kaka, Abdee and Ridho then left the stage. The stage only left Bimbim who sung “Bidadari Penyelamat”, without any single music accompaniment. Then the hydraulic stage elevated Bimbim to be flushed by lights beamed by disco lamps. Abruptly, the ceiling of Ritz Carlton became a genuine night sky. A crescent moon adorned it, along with dots of lights like stars. That was an awesome lighting system.

At such altitude, Bimbim ripped his red pants. The end of the song was marked by a super-short pants that covered Bimbim’s skinny legs.

“Lorong Hitam” was then sung by Bimbim with Kaka, who played an acoustic guitar. “Anyer 10 Maret” then marked the disclosure of curtain on the side near orchestra. Dozens of orchestra’s players, another dozen of choir, and the glowing wall which was formed by various cones bounced the glows.

“Piss” and “Ketinggalan Jaman” continued the hilarity. Kaka joined Sashi in singing “Khilaf”. “Lembah Baliem” was continued by the duet of curly haired duo of Kaka and Dira through “Maafkan” and medley with “Ku Tak Bisa”. Tika was then called to accompany for “Reaksi”. “Poppies Lane Memory” then ended the memory of acoustical moment.

Kaka put on another suit, as a special manner to welcome the living legend, Titiek Puspa. “Orkes Sakit Hati” was then delivered. Poppy Sofia and Yuyun were also asked to sing on stage. Such collaboration then delivered “Pandangan Pertama” and “Kupu-kupu Biru”.

“Kamu Harus Pulang” marked the end of duration of this long concert on 00.30 A.M. However, it was not. Slank returned by “Terbunuh Sepi”. It finalized the 3.5-hour concert of the night, which was lasted in togetherness as it would become a record of 28 years of bitter and sweet journey of Slank of amusing their fans.

The concert I Slank U; The Journey of the Blue Island is actually containing a journey; the change of venue; from Mata Elang International Stadium to Ballroom Ritz Carlton. This concert donates the profits taken from the ticket sales to organization that helps children of HIV/AIDS, Yayasan Syair Untuk Sahabat.

The trail of the night would help the children of Indonesia, just like Slank’s music which had been growth in harmony with life of and inspires their fans, whose have never been quitting of singing along with them.

Filed Under: Reviews Event