'Stage 0.1' photography book takes rock fans both front stage and backstage

The Star

12-07-2025

'I dedicate this book especially to the musicians who are the backbone of the industry - those working behind the scenes. This book is for them,' said Tapa. Photo: Bernama
In a significant step towards expanding the documentation of Malaysia's visual art, the National Art Gallery has, for the first time, published a rock concert photography book: Stage 0.1 by Mustaffa Ahmad Hidzir, a renowned veteran photographer and album cover designer.
Spanning 240 pages, the book by Mustaffa - better known as Tapa Otai - offers a rich visual journey through Malaysia's rock music scene. Featuring around 300 photographs, it blends electrifying live moments with intimate behind-the-scenes glimpses and portraits of often-overlooked musicians whose quiet presence forms the backbone of every performance.
Tapa's new photography book is also the long-awaited follow-up to his award-winning 12x12 Album Cover Design (2017), which showcased the best of his Malaysian album cover artworks dating as far back as the late 1970s.
Tapa Otai, 70, shared that the idea for the Stage 0.1 book came after a chat with film director Dr U-Wei Saari.
'U-Wei asked me what I'd done with all the concert photos I'd taken over the years. I told him I just kept them. Later, we met again, and he suggested I publish a book,' said Tapa in an interview with Bernama at the National Art Gallery in Kuala Lumpur.
Published through the National Art Gallery's collaborative publishing platform, Tapa's 240-page book brings together around 300 images from local rock concerts, including rarely photographed portraits of the behind-the-scenes musicians who seldom find themselves in the camera's spotlight. Photo: Bernama
The veteran photographer, who still actively attends live concerts, explained that Stage 0.1 is meant to shine a spotlight on musicians who often go unnoticed, while also featuring a few well-known names to enhance its appeal.
'I dedicate this book especially to the musicians who are the backbone of the industry - those working behind the scenes. This book is for them,' he said.
'I don't focus too much on singers, but I've also included photos of big names like Datuk M. Nasir, Datuk Ramli Sarip, Wings, and Search to add to its appeal.'
National Art Gallery Publications Branch curator Mohd Fairus Ismail said the release of Stage 0.1 marks part of the gallery's fresh approach to documenting Malaysia's music and cultural scene.
With his all-access concert pass, Tapa Otai captures the raw heat and energy of Malaysia's rock scene. Photo: Bernama
'This initiative began while we were planning an exhibition on social, cultural, and musical issues from 1979 to 1989. During our research, we discovered Tapa Otai's photographs, which had captured many key moments in the local rock scene,' said Fairus.
When Tapa expressed interest in publishing a book based on his collection, the gallery supported the project through its collaborative publishing platform, which also handles printing and limited distribution at the gallery.
Fairus added that Stage 0.1 isn't just a collection of concert photos, but an important visual archive that highlights the often-overlooked musicians and crew - the real heartbeat behind every show.
Previously kept private, many of these images are now shared with the public for the first time.
The book is currently available at the National Art Gallery bookshop and on Shopee for RM180.