Jammin' the Nation

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Jammin' the Nation
Tour by KRU
Associated albumThe Way We Jam
Start date20 March 1999 (1999-03-20)
End date22 January 2000 (2000-01-22)
Legs3
No. of shows
  • 5 (Malaysia)
  • 1 (Singapore)
  • 1 (Jakarta)
  • 1 (Manila)
  • 1 (Bangkok)
  • 1 (Brunei)
  • 10 Total
Guests
  • Juliana Banos
KRU concert chronology

Jammin' the Nation (also known as Jamming The Nation 1999 – Interstate and Regional Tour) was the fourth concert tour by Malaysian boy band KRU, held in support of their sixth studio album and first English-language release, The Way We Jam.[1] The tour consisted of three legs: the Interstate Tour, the Regional Tour, and the Asia Tour. It began on 20 March 1999 at MBJB Indoor Stadium, Johor Bahru, and concluded on 22 January 2000 in Brunei Darussalam.[2] Sponsored by Pepsi, the concerts featured songs primarily from The Way We Jam.[1][3]

Background and development

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In August 1998, KRU signed a multi-million-ringgit endorsement deal with Pepsi, becoming the brand's official ambassadors in Malaysia.[4][5] The group was featured under the Pepsi Music platform alongside international artists such as Janet Jackson, Ricky Martin, The Corrs, and Five.[6]

As part of the collaboration, KRU announced a concert tour titled Jammin' the Nation, organised by KRU Berhad and sponsored by Pepsi.[7] The tour included five concerts across Malaysia, as well as concert in Singapore and Brunei, along with a series of showcases and roadshows in Jakarta (Indonesia), Bangkok (Thailand), and Manila (Philippines). The group's English-language album The Way We Jam was released on 26 November 1998 to coincide with the tour, marking their first major step into the international market.[8]

Tickets were sold at 7-Eleven outlets nationwide, and Era FM served as the official radio partner.[9][1] The tour also marked KRU's first time performing with a live band, accompanied by professional musicians.[10]The concert tour incorporated innovative choreography, pyrotechnics, and lighting effects.[11]

Concert synopsis

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The concert opened with a performance by Juliana Banos, a newly signed artist under KRU Music, who performed the songs "Mana Satu" and "Tiap Detik".[12] The KRU brothers then took the stage, supported by a five-member live band and nine dancers, delivering a 90-minute set featuring around 20 songs, most of which were in English.[13]

The set began with "Tribe", followed by "Why Must I Feel Like That", "Fobia", "For You", "Do My Thang (Upside Down)", and "More Than Forever". Midway through the concert, KRU performed a medley of songs they had written for other Malaysian artists such as Ning Baizura, Zainal Abidin, and Indigo. They also performed their Malay hits such as "Fanatik" from KRUmania. The show concluded with "The Way We Jam".[14]

Critical reception

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The concert received mixed reviews from critics. Hasleen Bachik from Singapore's Berita Harian described the show as "energetic but overly Westernised", noting the limited number of Malay songs performed.[15] Conversely, The Straits Times praised KRU as "unstoppable", commending their "rip-roaring ensemble" and inventive choreography.[11] Harian Metro reported that KRU’s performance in Melaka and Johor Bahru drew thousands of fans, proving the trio's popularity remained strong.[16]

Commercial performance

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The concerts were well received by audiences across all tour locations. The Singapore show at Harbour Pavilion drew approximately 2,000 fans,[15] while showcases in Jakarta, Manila, and Bangkok saw enthusiastic participation from audiences, many of whom sang along to "More Than Forever" and "The Way We Jam".[17] The tour's success helped the group achieve chart-topping recognition in those countries.[18]

Set list

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The following set list is representative of the concert held at Harbour Pavilion, World Trade Centre, Singapore.[15]

Juliana Banos segment
  1. "Tiap Detik"
  2. "Mana Satu"
KRU segment
  1. "Tribe"
  2. "Why Must I Feel Like That"
  3. "For You"
  4. "Do My Thang"
  5. "More Than Forever"
  6. "The D"
  7. "Out of My Mind"
  8. "Never Let the Spirit Die"
  9. "The Way We Jam"
  10. "Fobia"
  11. "Fanatik"
  12. Medley: "Ceritera" / "Bawa Daku Pergi"

Tour dates

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List of concerts, showing date, city, venue, and attendance
Date City Venue Attendance Notes Ref.
Interstate Tour
20 March 1999 Johor Bahru, Johor MBJB Indoor Stadium   Concert tour [19]
3 April 1999 Malacca Pay Fong High School Hall   [20]
24 April 1999 Penang Tapak Pesta Sungai Nibong   [21]
1 May 1999 Kuantan, Pahang Indera Mahkota Indoor Stadium   [21]
8 May 1999 Kuala Lumpur Merdeka Hall, Putra World Trade Centre   [22]
28 May 1999 Singapore Harbour Pavilion, World Trade Centre 2,000 [15]
Regional Tour
April 1999 Jakarta, Indonesia     Showcase performance [7]
Manila, Philippines     [17]
Bangkok, Thailand     [21]
Asia Tour
22 January 2000 Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei   Asia Tour concert [18]

Personnel

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  • KRU – performers
  • Juliana Banos – guest performer
  • Era FM – official radio partner
  • Pepsi – sponsor
  • KRU Berhad – organiser

References

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  1. ^ a b c Hardi Effendi Yaacob (10 March 1999). "KRU adakan konsert jelajah Asia". Berita Harian. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  2. ^ Mohd Ramzi Sanny (23 March 1999). "KRU pamer kehebatan". Berita Harian. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  3. ^ "Jamming The Nation masih ada kekurangan". Berita Harian. 10 May 1999. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  4. ^ Hafidah Samat (29 August 1998). "KRU sings a cool tune". New Straits Times. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  5. ^ Josephine Santiago (18 March 1999). "KRU on nation-wide tour". New Straits Times. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  6. ^ "KRU jams its way to the big time". The Straits Times. 29 March 1999. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  7. ^ a b "KRU rintis jalan ke persada antarabangsa". Berita Harian. 7 April 1999. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  8. ^ Tan Ling Ai (8 December 1998). "Reaching out to the world". New Straits Times. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  9. ^ Jammin' the Nation promotional poster
  10. ^ Hardi Effendi Yaacob (21 April 1999). "Pemuzik profesional iringi KRU". Berita Harian. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  11. ^ a b Yong Siew Fern (29 May 1999). "KRU really rocks". The New Paper. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  12. ^ Alfian Sa’at (31 May 1999). "These bad boys are KRU-ners at heart". The Straits Times. Singapore Press Holdings. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  13. ^ Roslen Fadzil (10 May 1999). "Live band bantu konsert KRU". Harian Metro. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  14. ^ Azman Ahmad (13 May 1999). "A fine concert letdown by sound system". The Malay Mail. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  15. ^ a b c d Hasleen Bachik (3 June 1999). "SANTAI: Frust tonton konsert KRU". Berita Harian. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  16. ^ Sani Salleh (10 April 1999). "Populariti KRU masih kukuh". Harian Metro. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  17. ^ a b "KRU power!". Sunday Mail. 11 April 1999. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  18. ^ a b "Brunei Darusalam negara pertama siri jelajah Asia KRU". Berita Harian. 20 January 2000. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  19. ^ Mohd Ramzi Sanny (23 March 1999). "KRU pamer kehebatan". Berita Harian. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  20. ^ Sani Salleh (10 April 1999). "Populariti KRU masih kukuh". Harian Metro. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  21. ^ a b c Sani Salleh (19 April 1999). "Jamming The Nation terus belayar". Harian Metro. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  22. ^ Azman Ahmad (13 May 1999). "A fine concert letdown by sound system". The Malay Mail. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
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