#SHOWBIZ: Fans embrace Moodie-ness

New Straits Times

5 days ago

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IT was one of those nights where everything just clicked: low lights, high spirits and a crowd buzzing with excitement at Zepp Kuala Lumpur.
About 1,500 fans packed the venue recently, gathering for an experience that felt more like an intimate jam session than a stadium spectacle.
By the end of the night, British pop artiste Henry Moodie, 21, made it clear this wasn't just another tour stop – it was a homecoming.
Before the singer-songwriter even stepped onto the stage, the crowd received a surprise.
Bradley Simpson, frontman of British pop-rock band The Vamps, strolled out at 7.30pm with a guitar slung over his shoulder, radiating ease and charisma.
Welcomed like an old friend, Simpson serenaded the room with fan favourites, including a nostalgic sing-along to "Somebody to You".
His six-song set was stripped back, soulful, and full of warmth – the perfect warm-up for what was to come.
When Moodie emerged at 8.15pm, the atmosphere turned electric.
The crowd, chanting his name, erupted as he launched into "Beat Up Car", one of his most popular tracks.
With each lyric, it was clear: Malaysia had been waiting for this moment.
"I've been here four times now. It does feel like coming home," Moodie said between songs, a wide smile on his face.
That sentiment infused every note as he moved through a dreamy setlist, including "Indigo", "Bad Emotions", ' "Right Person Wrong Time" and "Pick Up The Phone".
Fans sang every word, turning Zepp KL into a unified, beating heart of emotion.
In true Moodie fashion, the night wasn't just about performance; it was about connection.
Halfway through the show, he pulled out a giant die, each side featuring a pop icon, such as Adele, Taylor Swift, Coldplay, Billie Eilish, and Harry Styles.
The roll landed on Adele, and Henry, settling at the piano, delivered a raw, heartfelt version of "Someone Like You".
"Adele was who I grew up listening to. This one means a lot."
Just when the crowd thought they'd seen it all, he slipped in a brand-new, unreleased track titled "Sunday Morning".
A delicate, reflective tune, it captivated the room.
Although no one had heard it before, fans picked up the melody, their voices rising in harmony – a spontaneous choir that moved him.
"I was not expecting that," he said with a laugh, saying the fans had convinced him to release it sooner.
But the night still had more in store. As the night drew to a close, Simpson rejoined Moodie onstage for a surprise duet of "Birds of a Feather" by Billie Eilish.
Their voices intertwined effortlessly, their chemistry evident, giving fans a moment of musical magic.
And just when the show seemed to end, chants of "Henry! Henry" brought him back for one last encore.
The choice? "Drunk Text", a fan favourite.
But this version came with another twist: Malaysian singer-songwriter Daiyan Trisha appeared mid-song to a roar of applause.
Her graceful vocals blended with Henry's, creating an unexpected collaboration that brought the house down.
The night wrapped with Henry thanking his tight-knit band – his guitarist and drummer – and, of course, the fans who made it all possible.
The concert, part of his 2025 Asia Tour, was organised by Live Nation Malaysia.
And truly, it was a night to remember. From surprise cameos to unreleased gems and impromptu karaoke, Moodie the artiste didn't just perform; he shared a piece of himself.
As the lights dimmed and fans made their way out, there was a lingering feeling in the air that they had witnessed something rare, something real, something they'd talk about for a long time.