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Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Concert Review | Selena Gomez - Revival Tour: Live in Malaysia

Selena Gomez
Revival Tour: Live in Malaysia
Date: May 25, 2016
Venue: Stadium Malawati, Shah Alam
By Shawal Ras


 Donned in completely new outfits (anti-provocative, as demanded* by a local Islamist group) and tussled hairdo, Selena Gomez wowed some 4,000 Selenators who attended the singer's latest show at Stadium Malawati, Shah Alam, Malaysia.
Revival Tour, as suggested by the title, is supporting Gomez's latest studio album, Revival, which has spawned four massive hits since it was released fall last year ('Good For You', 'Same Old Love', 'Hands to Myself', and 'Kill 'em with Kindness'). The album, as I reviewed back in October, features a matured Gomez in a lot of synth-heavy sonic and it celebrates her growth, self-identification, and womanhood. She is no longer that cute puppy we all fell for a million years ago in Barney & Friends.

Despite the protest to have it cancelled (*) and a terror threat, the singer's first concert in Malaysia went as planned. The show kicked off as Gomez appeared on stage in a long-sleeved black turtleneck top and palazzo pants, singing the intro to her new era, 'Revival'.

 "What I've learned is so vital / More than just survival / This is my revival / This is a revival."

She then performed an array of hits, including those from her days in Selena Gomez and the Scene (her band 'fore she went solo, FYI); 'Love You Like A Love Song' and 'Who Says'. Followed by more hits from her previous album, Stars Dance ('Come & Get It', and 'Slow Down') as well as more tracks from her latest album; 'Survivors', 'Sober', 'Me & the Rhythm', and 'Body Heat'.

Gomez may not have the vocal ability of her fellow Barney-peer Demi Lovato but her breathy tone sounds really well on stage. But, I'm gonna be honest, it would've been a great show if her vocal weren't overpowered by the beats thumping from every speakers in the stadium. They're too loud.

 Fashion wise, the singer had four costume changes throughout the show's one hour and fifteen minutes run (super short, TBH). My fav has to be the last outfit she wore for the surreal encore performance of 'I Want You to Know'; a diamond-encrusted jacket, wore loosely over a black top and shiny leather pants. Hot hot hot!

Gomez also sang an exclusive new song titled 'Feel Me' which has yet to be released since she sang it for the first time at the opening night of her tour in Las Vegas last May. But, in case you're dying to hear it (in live version, obvi) - head over to YouTube!

"It's so crazy to be able to travel the world and see all of you. This is amazing, I'm grateful to be here," Gomez said to the screaming Selenators in the middle of her second act. P/s: There was a kid sit next to me, she flew all the way from Lebanon with her mom for this concert. Now that's a true fan! 

The concert is a part of the tour's Asian leg, which has covered Jakarta, Indonesia few days ago, and to be followed by Singapore, Thailand, Japan and more. The tour sets to conclude in Mexico in December.

Revival Tour marks Gomez's second solo tour following Stars Dance Tour, which was abruptly cancelled due to personal issues (in a cover story for Billboard, she revealed she was diagnosed with Lupus and went on a lengthy chemotherapy treatment). Malaysia was listed as one of the stops.

Selena Marie Gomez started her career in entertainment at a very young age. Since then, she has sold 45 million songs and the album Revival has solidified her position as pop music's latest mega-sensation.

P/s: Relive the concert with this video thread!