The Dyslexia Concert: The S.I.G.I.T. launch their EP to die-hard fans

Sun, 06/28/2009 11:35 AM  |  Music

In conjunction with the release of Hertz Dyslexia, The S.I.G.I.T. and their recording company, FFWD Records celebrated the release of their EP record in Bandung, on June 20.

The sold-out concert was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone who attended. More than three thousand people flocked from all over the country just to see the band perform.

"A week before the show, we played in Semarang and Jogya. I was asking the audience there, *Will you come to Bandung if we perform a huge concert to celebrate the new EP?' People told us that they would come and they did," says Yoewono.

The band even provided transport for fans coming from outside of Bandung. This is common in the US or the UK. "People can buy tickets with shuttle bus fare from their origin on it. We tried to invite people to come to Bandung," added Marisa.

"Initially we weren't so sure about our ability to attract people to the show," said Chicha Marisa, project officer from FFWD Records.

But testament to the popularity of the band, loyal supporters traveled to Bandung from Medan, Makassar, Surabaya, Solo, Semarang, and Jogyakarta just to see the concert. Albert Sinaga, 23, was one of the die-hard fans. Albert lives in Jogyakarta and traveled to Bandung with 17 other fans to see the concert.

"We just had to be there. It's a sacred moment for the band, because they're launching a new album," says Albert.

"Their music is the soundtrack of my life," he added. For that reason, no one could stop him from seeing the band launch their EP in Bandung.

Then there was Mabeck Arsyadinigrat, 16. He traveled all the way to Bandung from Makassar.

"I wanted to have a memory of the Dyslexia Concert in my head. A few months ago The S.I.G.I.T. had to cancel their gig in Makassar due to weather problems. I've been missing them on stage, so I traveled to Bandung for this concert," he said.

He spent around Rp 3 million (US$300) to fulfill this dream.

With minimum publicity, the result was extraordinary. "We only started publicizing the launch in April. In fact we did everything in two months. That's why we were nervous at first," she added.

The band and the recording company worked hard to finalize the details of the concert. The concert was recorded both in audio and visual formats so that a DVD or album can be produced at a later date.

That was a huge thing for the band and the fans. The main idea behind the concert was simple. "Every time we play outside Bandung and Jakarta, we usually have poor sound quality. I wanted to give our fans everywhere the chance to see us playing live with a good quality sound system and lighting. The best way for that is to see us in Jakarta, but we picked Bandung, our home, for this concert," explains Yoewono.

"We thought about a lot of things, gimmicks, the concept of the show and even new arrangements of our songs," says Wibisana.

The concert was really a blast. The S.I.G.I.T. is the only independent band that can draw three thousand fans from all over the country. Even more significant considering that most of their latest gigs have been for free.

Yoewono, also thought the gig was something else. "When you are on stage and realize that so many people have come to your show and that they go home with smiling faces, it makes you feel like you have succeeded. It is an overwhelming feeling."

Yes, they are history in the making.

-Felix Dass

 

 

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