Masdo, Mandopop, K-pop thrill over 70,000 at Sunway Velocity Mall New Year’s Eve concert
MORE than 70,000 people poured into Jalan Peel on Dec 31, 2025 as Sunway Velocity Mall’s New Year’s Eve Countdown Concert transformed the road into one of Kuala Lumpur’s busiest celebration zones, complete with live performances, a street market and a midnight fireworks display.
The free, open-air event began in the late afternoon and stretched into the early hours of Jan 1, with crowds arriving well before the headline acts took the stage. By nightfall, the venue was visibly strained. Walkways narrowed as foot traffic thickened and movement slowed, with the crowd clearly exceeding the space available.
An earlier dance competition brought one of the night’s more spontaneous and energising moments. Groups of young dancers gathered on the ground in near mob-style formations, feeding off each other’s movements and the crowd’s reactions.
The atmosphere was infectious and drew cheers from those nearby, though the lack of a raised stage made it difficult for much of the audience to fully see the choreography or the performance as a whole.
The night’s music leaned heavily toward Mandopop and K-pop, reflecting the demographic makeup of the audience. K-pop group Kiiras, led by Malaysian member Lingling, drew loud reactions from fans, but persistent audio feedback followed them throughout their set. The issue remained noticeable across all their performances, cutting through moments that should have landed harder.
Mandopop singer Layla Sania delivered a confident and energetic set that resonated strongly with her core supporters packed near the front. However, her engagement appeared focused on a specific demographic, leaving sections of the crowd outside that circle less involved.
Vocalist Annabella took a more restrained and static approach on stage. She later said she was unwell – a factor that tempered expectations of a more dynamic performance.
Local band Masdo emerged as one of the night’s standout acts. Dressed in their familiar 1960s-inspired, almost Beatles-esque look, the group delivered a tight and upbeat set that sparked one of the loudest crowd reactions of the evening, particularly among Malay concertgoers who sang along enthusiastically. Their appearance also highlighted a noticeable lack of other band-driven acts on the programme, with some attendees wishing for more live bands in the lineup.
After midnight, DJ Blink took over and successfully carried the night forward. His set blended popular tracks from past decades with current hits, punctuated by heavy bass drops and constant crowd engagement. It was a well-judged approach that kept energy levels high even as fatigue set in.
Security was impossible to miss. Police officers and auxiliary personnel were stationed throughout the area, creating a visible sense of control. Yet enforcement proved uneven.
As the countdown approached, members of the public were seen pushing close to the stage and even entering the VIP area. It was only after the fireworks ended that People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela) personnel firmly cleared those sections.
Traffic and crowd management presented further challenges. Only one side of Jalan Peel was closed despite the sheer volume of people, leading to congestion and questions about whether shutting down additional roads could have eased pressure and improved movement across the venue.
The VIP viewing area itself offered little comfort. Its awkward angle and partial obstructions, including a lamp post and nearby trees, limited visibility of the stage and drew complaints from attendees.
Earlier cultural performances added colour to the programme, though they felt more aligned with a Merdeka-style celebration than a New Year’s Eve countdown. There were also questions raised about the accuracy of representation in costumes and performers.
Despite the logistical issues, the night ended on a high note. A large-scale fireworks display lit up the sky above Jalan Peel as thousands joined in a coordinated countdown, creating a moment of collective excitement and marking a memorable start to 2026.
Sunway Velocity Mall said the NYE Countdown Concert exceeded expectations in attendance, underlining continued public demand for large-scale, free community celebrations in the city.
