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Melly Goeslaw's prom-themed concert served nostalgia and some disappointments
While the show was filled with heartfelt moments and high-energy performances, it wasn't without its drawbacks. By SHAH SHAMSHIRI
03 Jun 2025 11:53am
Melly brought her popular concert series back with Prom Nite, following two crowd-favourite editions. Photo: Bangsawan Pictures
Dubbed as Indonesia's queen of soundtracks, Indonesian singer-songwriter Melly Goeslaw once again took centre stage at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur as she performed at the Ada Apa Dengan Melly Concert – Prom Nite Edition.
This concert marked the third instalment of her popular concert series, following the earlier Ada Apa Dengan Melly...? (Back to School) and Ada Apa Dengan Melly & Friends (Malam Graduasi). For many hard-core fans and those who missed out on the previous two events, this was their golden opportunity to finally witness Melly live in action.
Celebrated for her remarkable contributions to the Indonesian and Malaysian music scenes, Melly performed not only her own songs but also those she had written for numerous other vocalists. From sweeping ballads to youthful anthems, her setlist showcased her lasting impact as a songwriter whose work has stood the test of time.
However, while the show was filled with heartfelt moments and high-energy performances, it wasn't without its the evening, many fans noticed that Melly's vocals were not at their best, with several moments where she encouraged the audience to sing along—or more accurately, sing for her. While this created a communal concert vibe, it also subtly pointed to a performance that was vocally underwhelming. Melly encouraged fans to sing along throughout the night, creating a lively crowd vibe, though some felt her vocals didn't quite hit the mark. Photo: Bangsawan Pictures
The redeeming moment of the night came in the form of Malaysia's powerhouse vocalist Aina Abdul, who took to the stage and stole the spotlight with her stunning rendition of Cinta, a song originally performed by Melly and Kris Dayanti. Aina's commanding vocals and stage presence earned her roaring applause and left a lasting impression.
Melly also took a moment to honour her Malaysian fans with a medley of iconic local hits: Janji Manis by Aishah, Betapa Ku Cinta Padamu by Siti Nurhaliza, and Isabella by Search. Aina Abdul delivered a show-stopping version of Cinta, leaving the crowd in awe. Photo: Bangsawan Pictures
The crowd went wild, especially as both Siti Nurhaliza and Amy Search were spotted in the VIP section, singing along with evident joy. Also in attendance were Indonesian stars Rossa and Raffi Ahmad, lending their support to the beloved songstress.
But the highlight many fans had been eagerly anticipating was the appearance of Indonesian heart-throb Nicholas Saputra, who graced the stage to deliver the iconic poem from the cult classic Ada Apa Dengan Cinta.
Emotions ran high as three lucky fans—women who admitted to having recently endured heartbreak—were invited on stage to meet Nicholas in person alongside Melly. The moment was a fangirl dream come true, and the screams from the audience were deafening.
Although Melly's vocal performance didn't quite hit the mark, the night was a triumphant celebration of nostalgia. Fans were transported back to the golden era of Indonesian movie soundtracks, with songs that defined the adolescence and memories of a generation. Prom Nite gave fans something deeper: connection and nostalgia. Photo: Bangsawan Pictures
The setlist was a mix of legendary hits and crowd favourites, including:
Ku Bahagia (opening with a full string and orchestral arrangement), Ingin Mencintai dan Dicintai, a medley of Bimbang and Denting, Di Mana Malumu, Hanya Memuji, Tentang Seseorang, Berdua Lebih Baik, Jangan Pernah Berubah, Bunda (with rising Indonesian star Dinda Ghania), and many others.
All in all, Ada Apa Dengan Melly: Prom Nite may not have delivered a perfect vocal performance, but it offered something just as valuable—a shared experience of music, memory, and the emotional resonance of growing up with Melly Goeslaw's legendary soundtracks.
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