EVERY time Aina Abdul takes to the stage, her amazing voice and superb showmanship leave music lovers mesmerised.
In fact, many Malaysians believe that given time, she could well emerge as our next Queen Of Pop.
This was exactly what 30-year-old Aina proved in her first-ever concert at the prestigious Dewan Filharmonik Petronas (DFP), KLCC, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur recently.
Aina's two-night concert, over two hours beginning 8.30pm, marked her maiden collaboration with the world-class Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO), led by its versatile music director Ahmad Muriz Che Rose.
At the concert titled 'Aina Abdul Collaborates With The Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra', the popular singer-songwriter from Seremban, Negri Sembilan performed 15 of her best-known hits, plus a medley of evergreen soul songs made popular by American music legends.
DAZZLING SHOW
Aina, who was discovered by rock queen Ella Aminuddin on TV3's reality talent show 'Mentor Legend 2014' where she finished second, kicked off the evening with 'Imaji', which carries the message of pulling oneself up from setbacks.
Known to fans as the Big Dress Girl, she wore a dazzling, multi-coloured outfit complete with a large hood and mirrors plastered all over it.
The dress was designed by Melinda Looi, who was also behind the out-of-this-world tree costume Aina wore during 'A Night With Aina Abdul 3.0' at Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur last November.
"This is a very special day in my life, ladies and gentlemen. I've finally landed in my dream concert hall and I'm so loving it," she said before belting out her hugely popular hit 'Sumpah'.
Aina readily allowed the audience to sing entire choruses of this monster hit of 2020, after which she paid glowing tribute to the 40-member orchestra for "magnifying" her songs.
"I wish to introduce everyone to two very special people in the hall tonight — my idols Ziana Zain and Anuar Zain," Aina said as the country's best-known brother-sister pop legends stood up and waved.
Aina then gave fans the bilingual 'Kejam' about the pain of being cheated on, and 'Kelip-Kelip' about making unwise decisions.
Both songs were singalongs, and Aina thanked the sporting audience with a round of applause and her trademark sweet smile.
HIT AFTER HIT
After a sip of water, Aina promptly returned to the stage to perform 'Bilang', an anthem about doubt, and 'Sesal'.
She then thanked the arrangers who had modified her hits specially for the MPO — Ahmad Muriz, Jenny Chin, Mac Chew, Vivian Chan, Luqman Abdul Aziz, Ilham Subri and Azhad Sulaiman.
"I want to thank you for this very special night. I'm truly amazed with what you've transformed my songs into!"
On announcing a 20-minute break, Aina hinted that the second half of the concert would be "much more exciting".
"And now, here comes the song that made me a household name!" quipped Aina as she belted out 'Sepi' to much applause.
After the interlude, Aina re-emerged donning a big bronze dress created by Ezuwan Ismail, and gave her fans another singalong opportunity with 'Semalam'.
She then had the stage lights dimmed for a few minutes before she sang 'Dawai', a personal favourite of the orchestra.
Her next number 'Shadow' was hauntingly beautiful and spoke of a lover who did not want to let go of her past.
Likewise the singalong 'Fool', an anthem on untrustworthy people.
"Initially, I sang in English. But one person encouraged me to sing in Malay, my former manager who is no longer with us," she said before performing 'Kamu' and 'Puas Sudah'.
Aina then told fans that she had saved the best for last and invited everyone to sing along to 'Terus Hidup', which had earned her Best Song and Best Vocals at Anugerah Juara Lagu 37.
HONOURING THE LEGENDS
"Before we call it a night, I'd love to pay tribute to some of my biggest musical influences," Aina said as she ended her evening with a blast.
Her soulful closing medley was one of popular hits by legendary US singers and some new ones, namely 'At Last' by Etta James, 'You Make Me Feel' (Aretha Franklin), 'Hero' (Mariah Carey), 'When You Believe' (Whitney Houston), 'Surrender' (Natalie Taylor) and 'Listen' (Beyonce Knowles).
And for the encore, she gave fans the inspirational and motivational number 'Jangan Mati Rasa Itu' before wishing everyone a safe journey home.
