A revival to remember

KUALA LUMPUR marked the second stop on the Asian-leg of pop star Selena Gomez’s Revival Tour, and despite initial calls for a ban on her concert and protests outside the stadium, the singer still managed to deliver a phenomenal show at her concert on July 25.
Some 4,000 fans were at Stadium Malawati in Shah Alam from as early as 5pm to catch the American songstress in action for the first time in Malaysia. Many also took the chance to purchase T-shirts and glow stick headgear.
Her fans – known as Selenators – were in a frenzy when the singer took to the stage at 9.15pm, screaming with delight as she sang her catchy single, Same Old Love, wearing vintage round John Lennon-inspired sunglasses from the 60s, and decently attired in a black, long-sleeved top paired with black satin flared pants.
“Malaysia! You guys, I’m so happy to be here … you see, tonight, I want to celebrate this album that I worked so hard on, and nothing beats celebrating it with you guys,” she told the cheering crowd.
During the hour-long show, the former Disney star performed close to 20 songs, mostly coming from her second studio album Revival, including tracks such as Sober, Good for You, Survivors, Me and My Girls, Me and the Rhythm, Body Heat, and Kill ’Em with Kindness.
Fans sang along with the artiste when she performed her current hit Hands to Myself, by snapping their fingers along to the tune’s finger-clicking beat.
Selena also sang some of her popular throwback hits such as Come and Get It, Slow Down, Love Song, and I Want You to Know.
She also offered her brandnew song, Feel Me, which she had previously only posted a snippet of on her Snapchat, as well as an adrenalised cover of Eurythmics’ Sweet Dreams.
Although Selena wasn’t really in sync with her dancers, fans were still pleased by her lively capering around the stage. The stunning LED lights and her talented dancers were nothing short of amazing as well.
Donning a sparkly silver sequinned dress later in the night, the singer took the opportunity to speak to her fans about her music.
“I always want to be who I am to you guys [and] I never want to feel like I’m not being 100% with you,” she said.
“There are things that I keep to myself for sure, [but] when it comes to my music, especially this album, I really truly wanted it to be something that came from my heart … And all I ever want to promise to you guys right now is that I will always tell you the truth and I’m always going to be grateful for you guys.”
Just before singing Who Says, Selena poignantly told the crowd: “I recorded [this song] when I was 16, and now being 24, I feel like sometimes I need this song more than I do back then.”
She subsequently moved to the piano to perform the emotional ballad, Nobody, and Hillsong United’s Transfiguration.
Selena ended the concert on a high note with a remixed version of Revival – the electronic beats and flashing neon strobe lighting left fans in an euphoric state, with many of them jumping and screaming while standing on chairs.
Selena Gomez’s Revival Tour Live in Malaysia was presented by Cornetto and promoted by PR Worldwide with the support of the Tourism and Culture Mnistry and Malaysia Major Events (MME), a division of Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau (MYCEB).