Kelantan Artists to Take Centre Stage at ‘Kelate Ke KL 2026’ Concert in Kuala Lumpur

KUALA LUMPUR, July 2 — A lineup of performers from Kelantan will headline the upcoming Kelate Ke KL 2026 concert on Aug. 29, with organisers hoping the event will provide a larger national platform for East Coast artists, particularly female singers who have limited opportunities to perform publicly in their home state.

The concert, scheduled to be held at Zepp Kuala Lumpur, will feature several well-known performers from Kelantan as organisers seek to introduce their music to wider audiences across Malaysia.

Project director Ayob Abd Majid said the event was conceived to showcase local talent beyond the East Coast and to create greater exposure for artists whose performance opportunities have been constrained.

Speaking at the concert’s media launch in Kuala Lumpur, Ayob said female singers from Kelantan have faced particular challenges in developing their careers because of restrictions on public performances within the state.

“We rarely have the opportunity to organise performances involving female artists in Kelantan. Even singers who were born there have very limited chances to perform in their own state,” he said.

“For that reason, we decided to bring them to Kuala Lumpur, not only for Kelantanese audiences but also for music fans throughout Malaysia. We are grateful that the artists immediately embraced the idea because they believe their talent deserves wider recognition.”

Ayob, who is also president of the Recording Industry Consortium of Malaysia (IRAMA), said public interest in performers from Kelantan has grown significantly in recent years.

He pointed to the increasing number of invitations received by Kelantan-born artists to perform across the country, citing the enthusiastic response to recent appearances by Eda Ezrin and Den Manjo at Angsana Johor Bahru.

According to him, the encouraging reception has strengthened confidence that concerts highlighting East Coast talent can attract national audiences.

If the inaugural event receives strong support, organisers are considering expanding the concert into a much larger production in future, with venues such as Unifi Arena Bukit Jalil among the possibilities.

Singer Rosalinda welcomed the opportunity, saying female performers in Kelantan generally have limited avenues to pursue professional music careers.

She said performances are often confined to weddings, private functions or events attended exclusively by women, making large public concerts a rare opportunity.

“I truly appreciate being given this platform because opportunities like this are difficult to come by back home. Performing at Zepp Kuala Lumpur is something I’m genuinely grateful for,” she said.

Fellow performer Adik Waniey also described the concert as a significant milestone in her career.

She said the opportunity to perform in Kuala Lumpur represents an important step forward for artists seeking to expand beyond Kelantan, where state guidelines make it more challenging for singers to earn a living through public performances.

“I’m excited and honoured to be part of this concert. It’s a chance to introduce my music to a much wider audience, and I’m thankful to everyone who made it possible,” she said.

In addition to Rosalinda and Adik Waniey, the concert will feature Kelantan-born performers Eda Ezrin, Den Manjo, Man Khan, Fendi Kenali and Aris Kapilla, bringing together a diverse lineup that celebrates the growing influence of East Coast music on Malaysia’s contemporary entertainment scene.

–wilayah.com.my

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