VJ Rich & VJ Holly (Photo: Kristian Dowling)

The premier of MTV World Stage Live in Malaysia 2012 is nearly upon us! Even if you’re not a true Belieber, any music fan could appreciate what went down this past July 14 at the beyond awesome Surf Beach @ Sunway Lagoon. Although past MTV World Stage events have hovered more in the rock region music-wise, this year’s event gave us all a healthy dose of what’s currently spinning the pop universe. Regardless of what kind of music you prefer, the energy and spirit that a MTV World Stage event generates is undeniable.

I’ve been very fortunate to watch hundreds of live performances up close and I’ll say that this crowd was one of the most dedicated I’ve ever seen. VJ Holly and I could have told them to do their homework and they would have, that’s how awesome they were! Most of them stood under the scorching sun all day long and come show time the screams and cheers rivaled the *NYSNC and Backstreet Boys concerts circa 2000s. I wouldn’t call the noise screaming and cheering. They are the verbal equivalent of moshing. It was a violent wall of sound that willed the performers to give their all on that stage.

VJ Holly and I hit the stage to an already vivacious crowd. It was like trying to start a car that was already running (try it)! What Holly and I did was not so much hosting as it was court jestering the royal and loyal fans. I discovered many things about my hosting ability that day, none more important than how far I can backhand toss an MTV t-shirt under such duress. Life’s lessons are taught at the strangest times. As a host, to tell a crowd that crazy to ‘SCREEEAAAAMMMM’ is the most unnecessary and abused phrase since the invention of the microphone. It does however, persuade the few who are there, NOT having a blast to lighten up and have some fun like the rest of us! Plus, ‘SOMEBODYYYYYYY SAAAAYYYY HHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!’ would just make you feel sorry for VJ Holly and I.

Check out the crowd! (Photo: Kristian Dowling)

All of our shenanigans were merely fuel for the fire that we were all about to see on stage that evening. JUSTIN BIEBER took the stage first and gave the SWAG and bravado that the 16,000 plus in attendance came to see. Not even the Malaysia humidity could contain his non-stop hits and hair flips, all of which we are all very familiar with. An acoustic portion highlighted perhaps his true strength of appealing to his audience on a very personal level even after all the glitz and glamor were stripped away. Korean pop group KARA were nothing shy of adorable as the legions of male fans were rewarded for their patience. The girl-group were in full force as they belted out their infectious tunes while fluttering about the stage as if they were angels from K-pop heaven. Truthfully, it was very difficult to take your eyes off of them! The hometown diva Mizz Nina commanded the stage from moment one. Her positivity and dedication were evident in her delivery and illustrated why many opportunities are knocking at her door. And capping the show was the true showmanship of Jay Park. This guy can do it all. Sing dance, rap, act, host and park (as he proved on The MTV Show). His determination to give his all impressed many new fans whom he earned that night.

So there it is! You don’t need me to tell you. Tune in and witness the pageantry, the stares, the hip swaying, THE BIEBS!

***

MTV World Stage Live in Malaysia 2012 premieres on
Saturday, 28 July, 12.30pm (WIB), 1.30pm (SIN/HK/PH), 2.30pm (MAL)

Repeats:

Sunday, 29 July
11pm (WIB)

Monday, 30 July
12am (SIN/HK/PH), 1am (MAL)
9pm (WIB), 10pm, (SIN/HK/PH), 11pm (MAL)

Saturday, 4 August
11pm (WIB)

Sunday, 5 August
12am (SIN/HK/PH), 1am (MAL)
1pm (WIB), 2pm (SIN/HK/PH), 3pm (MAL)

Thursday, 9 August
12pm (WIB), 1am (SIN/HK/PH), 2am (MAL)

Monday, 20 August
12pm (WIB), 1pm (SIN/HK/PH), 2pm (MAL)

Saturday, 1 September
12.30am (WIB), 1.30am (SIN/HK/PH), 2.30am (MAL)

***