By 
KUALA LUMPUR 28 April 2025 – On April 26, Zepp Kuala Lumpur was set ablaze with energy and culture as CENTRAL MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT FESTIVAL 2025 made its highly anticipated stop in Malaysia. Malaysian fans from all walks of life came together to celebrate a shared love for performance, creativity, and connection featuring performances by ATARASHII GAKKO!, Creepy Nuts, and Tatsuya Kitani, alongside local opening act K.O.I.
The Kuala Lumpur show marked the grand finale of CENTRAL’s overseas tour, following a sold-out night in Zepp New Taipei. True to its mission of “Bringing the Sounds of Japan to the World,” the festival delivered more than just a show, but a fusion of genres, cultures, and artistic expression that resonated deeply with Malaysian fans.
Live Report — April 26, Zepp Kuala Lumpur
Venue: Zepp Kuala Lumpur
Performers: ATARASHII GAKKO! / Tatsuya Kitani / Creepy Nuts/ K.O.I
Opening Act: K.O.I
◇ K.O.I
Opening the night in its home country, K.O.I—a rising talent in Malaysia’s rap scene—graced the stage with confidence and flair. Their performance set the tone for what would become a night of cultural fusion and electrifying energy. With their famous tracks like ”Meta Dermaga” and ”Tiwikarma,” K.O.I earned cheers and head nods from a crowd eager to embrace a cross-cultural musical experience. They closed their set with ”Niskala Suaka.”
◇ Tatsuya Kitani
Tatsuya Kitani walked onto the Zepp Kuala Lumpur stage, met by a crowd poised to absorb every note, every lyric, every feeling he was about to unleash. Wasting no time, he launched into “Scar,” the powerful opening theme from “BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War,” sending an instant shockwave of excitement through the crowd.
The second song “Rapport,” his heartfelt delivery pulling the audience deeper into his world, followed by beloved songs such as “Bakeneko” and the undeniably catchy “Zutto Issho!” Hands shot into the air, and the crowd moved in unison as Kitani’s melodies washed over the venue.
When the intro of “Where Our Blue Is” (Jujutsu Kaisen: 2nd season Hidden Inventory / Premature Death) began, a wave of cheers swept through the room and when the show was at its peak, he left the stage, leaving the crowd still excited.
◇ ATARASHII GAKKO!
As the lights dimmed and a school bell rang out, the crowd erupted—it was time for ATARASHII GAKKO!. With their signature unusual charm and unstoppable energy, the self-proclaimed “Youth Representatives of Japan” stormed the stage in their signature school uniforms.
They opened with “Omakase,” then moved on to ”OTONABLUE.” The crowd shouted along to every line as the group attracted them with well-defined dances and full of energy.. They segued into “FreeYourself”, and the audiences were quite hyped up by the time. The crowd’s excitement was at its highest when “Tokyo Calling” started playing.
Between songs, the members spoke to fans in Japanese and English, expressing their excitement to be back in Malaysia. They closed their set with the new pop anthem “One Heart,” a warm, unifying moment that brought the crowd together—dancing, singing, and sharing smiles.
As the show drew to a close, they said “Terima kasih!” (“Thank you!”) and the crowd showed a sea of hearts raised in return, which led them to a finale with lots of love and smiles
◇ Creepy Nuts
Last but not least, a hip-hop duo with high reputation all over the worldCreepy Nuts came on stage. From the moment DJ Matsunaga hit the first beat and R-Shitei grabbed the mic, the crowd was theirs. The audience was overwhelmed by the rhythm and lyrics while shouting for each one of the sharp lyrics, which disseminated the powerful energy throughout the hall. They erupted into “Yofukashino Uta,” one of their signature songs that gives you feelings of a night town and speed. The crowd moved their body and captivated by their world.
As they approached the end of the show, the unified moment was created through “Dandadan,” an opening song from TV Anime “Dandadan.” Audiences raised their hands, resonated with the lyrics, and cheered for their incredible performance.
As they closed with the high-energy “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born,” a song that dominated the music chart around the world with 700 million streams, the floor of Zepp KL was a sea of moving bodies. They had an outstanding finale of the show.
The Kuala Lumpur performance marked not just the end of a tour, but the beginning of deeper cultural exchange through music and artistry.
As CENTRAL wraps its inaugural international tour, the success of both the Taipei and Kuala Lumpur shows signal a new era of cultural exchange and artistic diplomacy through music. From Yokohama to the world, CENTRAL has proven itself as more than a festival—it’s a movement for global resonance.
– END –
Note to editor:
About CENTRAL MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT FESTIVAL 2025
Bringing the sounds of Japan to the world CENTRAL begins
CENTRAL is a festival that turns the city itself into a venue. It is where the sounds of Japan come together and a starting point for domestic and international talent to meet.
The pure white color represents infinite possibilities, and the square-shaped frame signifies the future we envision and draw. The logo of CENTRAL describes the philosophy of CENTRAL that we wish to deliver. We want you to draw your vision in this pure white frame of the future and be part of a new story.
CENTRAL will create a platform to connect and spread various forms of entertainment to the world that are constantly being born, including Japanese music.
Bringing the sounds of Japan to the world. CENTRAL will be launching in the spring of 2025.
You may also find the press kit attached for your reference.