Malaysian legendary singer, Datuk Aishah, 61, promises an emotionally charged performance through the concert 'Aishah 40 Chapters of Love', where she will present a series of melancholic songs that reflect her life journey over four decades as an artist.
After more than four decades in the local music industry, the celebrated singer is set to stage a major solo concert scheduled to take place at Megastar Arena here on July 4.
Aishah said that each song chosen for the concert has its own story and is closely related to the ups and downs she has experienced throughout her 40 years in the music industry.
"Those who follow my songs know that each song has its own soul. These songs depict what I go through in life.
"I have already compiled the song list, and every time I look at it, there are moments when I wonder how I will sing certain songs on concert night because the emotions are too strong," she said during a media meeting in Kuala Lumpur.
The singer of the song "Janji Manismu" admitted that he needs to control his emotions well before going on stage to ensure his performance is not disrupted.
"I am learning with a vocal teacher, Cikgu Syafi," she said, adding that to sing a sad song, she needs to exhaust that emotion first before going on stage. If not, the voice might crack.
"This concert is like 40 chapters of love in my life. There is love among humans, love for family, parents, friends, and various other forms of affection. "There are several segments that are very personal," she said.
According to Aishah, the concert not only brings the audience back to the past through her popular songs but also serves as a space for her to revisit every phase of her life.
"I have been through ups and downs for 40 years. Many things happened during that time that fans might not know because I'm not the type to share everything.
"But I express everything through songs. When I rearrange these songs, not only will the audience feel nostalgic, but I will also go through the same experience.
"I still remember for whom the song was recorded, to whom I sang it, and what happened when the song was produced. There are segments where I feel I need to shed tears first before going on stage.
"That's why I have told myself, when certain visuals are shown later, I cannot look at or absorb them too much because I am worried my emotions will be disturbed," she added.
Aishah said that what will be presented is the true story of her life, and she wants to share that journey with the fans who have always supported her career.
"This concert is very personal. This is my life story and the journey I want to share with my fans.
"When we fall in love, break up, or lose a loved one, everyone has been through it. The audience has also experienced the loss of parents, friends, or loved ones. That is what we will share that night.
"Sometimes after 10 or 20 years, the memory comes back. Some are sweet, some are painful. All those memories are in this concert," she added.
Aishah said she chose not to use a 'prompter' throughout the concert because she wanted to fully focus on conveying the emotions and storytelling behind each song.
"I don't want to use a 'prompter' because I want to focus on the emotions and the story that needs to be conveyed. When we rely too much on the prompter, our attention shifts to the lyrics, not to the audience.
"I want to connect with fans through eye contact and the appreciation of the song. For me, this concert is not just about singing, but sharing my life story with them," she said.
Among the songs expected to evoke a melancholic atmosphere are "Di Mana Kan Ku Cari Ganti, Syurga Di Telapak Kaki Ibu, Ayah dan Wajah, in addition to several other songs like Fatwa Pujangga, Melukut Di Tepi Gantang, and Antara Cinta Dan Kasih."
However, Aishah said that the concert was not only filled with sad songs because she also included more upbeat segments to create balance.
"At the end of the concert, there will also be a disco segment. Always singing sad songs is not allowed.
"That's life. There are times when we are happy, and there are times when we fall. The selected song list will also reflect that journey. After 40 years, it can't all be about happiness," she said.
Meanwhile, Aishah also advised fans to bring tissues on concert night as she expects an emotionally charged atmosphere to be created.
"My hope for fans is that they need to bring tissues. I hope that even if my voice breaks due to too much emotion, the audience will help and sing along.
"I want to enjoy that night with the fans, sharing stories and memories. That is the main purpose of this concert," said the legendary songstress.
In short, 'Aishah 40 Chapters of Love' concert is all about celebrating four decades of legacy, love & nostalgia in one exclusive night. Tickets for the concert, priced between RM168 and RM788, are available via www.ticketmelon.com/voxnationlive/aishah40
