Bringing the Sounds of Japan to the World, CENTRAL MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT FESTIVAL 2025 in Kuala Lumpur

ATARASHII GAKKO!, Creepy Nuts, Tatsuya Kitani, and K.O.I (Opening Act) ignites Zepp Kuala Lumpur as CENTRAL MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT FESTIVAL 2025 made its highly anticipated stop in Malaysia on April 26. The Kuala Lumpur show marked the grand finale of CENTRAL’s overseas tour, following a sold-out night in Zepp New Taipei. 

Bringing the Sounds of Japan to the World,  CENTRAL MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT FESTIVAL 2025 in Kuala Lumpur

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.

CENTRAL MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT FESTIVAL 2025 in Kuala Lumpur

◇ 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

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!

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

Creepy Nuts

Last but not least, a hip-hop duo with high reputation all over the world Creepy 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.