Musical healing with JessC in KL

THERE is a particular brand of magic that occurs when a performer outdoes his own legacy, and Sarawakian powerhouse Jessie Chung, a.k.a. JessC, did exactly that at the Mega Star Arena in Kuala Lumpur recently.

Returning to the capital for an “upgraded” encore of her My Style concert — following a successful run at Genting Highlands last May — the singer delivered a staggering three-and-a-half-hour marathon that felt less like a standard gig and more like a spiritual homecoming.

The Kuching-born artiste, whose career began with her debut album ‘Home’ in 1998, has evolved into a multi-hyphenate force as a songwriter, actress, author, and even a nutritional consultant. This breadth of experience was reflected in a masterclass of versatility, featuring a 40-song setlist spanning five languages.

From the haunting Japanese strains of Koibito to local Malay favourites, JessC navigated diverse genres with seasoned ease.

“Malaysia is the best place,” she declared warmly to a roar of approval from her audience, cementing the intimate bond she shares with her home crowd.

The production was equally ambitious, with JessC cycling through striking personas, including a ‘Diamond Warrior’ and a ‘Flower Fairy’.

During one poignant costume change, she offered a bit of lived philosophy: “Sometimes taking something off means letting go of burdens and pressure”.

The evening’s energy shifted gears during guest segments, most notably when legendary songstress Fauziah Latiff appeared. Their voices intertwined beautifully on the classic ‘Tak Terpisah’, a collaboration JessC described as a “dream fulfilled”.

Despite the grand visuals, the concert’s heart lay in its “healing” segment, where JessC showcased her prowess on the piano and keytar with jazz-inflected flair.

For her, music is a therapeutic tool. She shared a moving account of a fan whose music helped a comatose patient regain consciousness, reaffirming her belief that “the power of music far exceeds imagination”.

The atmosphere remained electric through to the finale. During a spirited rendition of ‘Loving You’, JessC descended into the crowd to shake hands, briefly becoming submerged in a sea of adoring fans.

Her playful cry of “Help!” became the night’s most relatable catchphrase, highlighting the raw, unscripted joy of the event. As the show reached its crescendo with a rock-infused version of ‘Starry Sky’, the sense of mutual gratitude was palpable.

“I hope everyone who comes to my concert gets to hear the one song that belongs to them,” she remarked.

By the time the final bow was taken, it felt as though she had achieved exactly that.

With a Malaysian tour on the horizon, JessC’s evolution is far from over — it is simply finding its second wind.