Cuckootopia Brings Music to Stadium Merdeka

DANIAL ISHAK | 27 October 2026

IT was the first weekend in a long while since KL-lites got a clearer look at Menara Merdeka Maybank, and the recent CUCKOOTOPIA 12th Anniversary Appreciation Concert was a great opportunity for them to explore Stadium Merdeka, posing with the iconic skyscraper.

It was also a fitting example of what Warisan KL hopes to bring to the heart of the city – a place where heritage, culture, community and contemporary experiences can come together. Stadium Merdeka is more than a historic landmark; it is a living communal space, one where Malaysians can gather, celebrate, discover and create new memories against the backdrop of the city’s history. Events such as CUCKOOTOPIA show how these spaces can continue to be relevant to new generations, bringing people together through music, food, culture and shared experiences.

Thousands of fans were delighted with the CUCKOOTOPIA concert stage against the backdrop of Menara Merdeka Maybank.

An array of booths with local delicacies and coffee surrounded the stadium, along with plenty of water stations so that attendees were always reminded to stay hydrated. Families and friends had some spots to eat and recharge in between the concert activities, and facilities

There was a silent understanding between concertgoers to be respectful with each other in a public space, and to keep the facilities in order. Navigating the grounds proved smooth for a large-scale event, with marked zones and access points improving flow, while officers and concert crew were helpful and clear with their instructions

Before the concert proper began, early arrivals were treated to performances by Emiliy Chia, Umairah, ODDA and Janice Yoong, whose opening sets eased the crowd into the evening’s spirit as sunset followed.

Afterwards, a fun best dress competition was held as attendees were invited to dress in their best floral batik outfits, celebrating one of Malaysia’s traditional legacies. The short competition was a great way to highlight attendees' sense of styling their outfits, and apt as Merdeka Textile Museum was just alongside the Stadium – showing how different generations interpret heritage in their own way.

Concertgoers in the best batik outfits.

Once night blanketed the sky and temperatures cooled, the concert began, hosted by Fiza Frizzy, Owen Yap, and Kamal Adi. The concert also doubled as an awards show with Anugerah Melodi Terhangat 2026.

Close to 18,000 people filled the stadium. Much of the atmosphere was owed to the staging itself. The stage was placed at the end of the field, a deliberate choice that gave both ground attendees and those in the stadium seats a clear, unobstructed view of the performances. Large screens flanked the stage and multiple camera angles gave the audience close-up views of the performer, as well as a bird's-eye view of the scale of the concert.

'Behind every achievement, there are the people who made it possible. Thank you for everything, and together, we will bloom brighter,' said Hoe Kian Choon, Non-Independent Executive Director and CEO of CUCKOO Malaysia.

Appreciation was also given to the Cuckoo staff through the CUCKOOTOPIA Appreciation Award 2026. This recognition covers the areas of service, technical, home care, collections management and operational support. It reminded us that behind the glamour and glitz was a complex organisation and collective effort to bring people together. Malaysians who work hard, day in and day out, so the award and concert were a much-needed moment of validation, even highlighted in the CEO’s opening speech.

Keeping the energy at a fever pitch: Ella, Firdhaus and Jaclyn Victor were among the stars that electrified the crowd at the CUCKOOTOPIA stage.

The concert lineup included Mimifly, 3P, Ella, Jeryl, Trevor Kua (Taiwan), ALPHA , Hujan, Faizal Tahir, Dato’ Sri Siti Nurhaliza, Firdhaus, Phei Yong, Jaclyn Victor, and the night capped with South Korean singer-songwriter-actor Lee Junho’s special appearance, stirring hearts.

From the raw energy of Hujan’s rock anthems to the soulful ballads of Dato’ Sri Siti Nurhaliza, the line-up held and shifted the audience’s spectrum of emotions. “Ratu Rock” Ella proved once again why she remains a force of nature, as her powerful vocals reverberated, with thousands singing along to Standing in the Eyes of the World, and fans were treated to another Malaysian classic when Jaclyn Victor sang Gemilang. The inclusion of international acts like Taiwan’s Trevor Kua and Korea’s Lee Junho showed the growing regional reach.

One concert-goer highlighted how impressive and balanced the concert experience was, saying there was something to enjoy from everyone in the lineup.

Dato’ Sri Siti Nurhaliza sneaks in a selfie with Lee Junho.

“I was surprised at the quality of sound, lighting and camera effects, and the pyrotechnics made powerful songs like Ella even more impactful. The drones flying around the performers and the stadium was also made it look like a music video. I haven’t been to a large concert like this, but even though it was crowded, it was comfortable for my friends and I, we had our own space to dance and sing along,” says Syahirah, 26, after the concert ended.

“The flow of the concert was also suitable for a wide range of audiences, like families. Small things like having breaks and moments for handing out awards gave audiences a chance to hydrate, enter and exit the stadium with ease, check out vendors and take pictures outside the stadium; this allowed people to stay energised throughout the concert, which started at 6pm and ended only at midnight,” Yavinash, 35, another attendee, highlighted.

The night drew to a close with a birthday cake-cutting ceremony, celebrating Cuckoo’s 12th anniversary, followed by fireworks lighting up the skies above Stadium Merdeka. All in all, CUCKOOTOPIA was a nice, clean, safe and enjoyable event, reminded everyone that it remains a communal space where communities, culture, heritage come together, and where some of Malaysia’s best talents can shine.