Neither the rain nor traffic congestion in Bukit Jalil could stop fans from making their way to the National Hockey Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, to catch American singer-songwriter Jason Mraz in action.
The ‘Jason Mraz Asia Tour 2026 Live in Kuala Lumpur’ concert on Saturday night attracted more than 8,000 fans. The 49-year-old artiste last performed in Malaysia seven years ago.
Interestingly, the audience comprised not only millennials who grew up listening to his hit songs but also members of Generation Z, demonstrating that Mraz’s music continues to resonate with fans across generations.
Dressed casually in a shirt and hat, with a guitar in hand, he opened the show with ‘You and I Both’, immediately setting the mood with the laid-back vocals that have become his identity.
Known for his acoustic pop sound infused with elements of folk, reggae and R&B, Mraz captivated the audience with his relaxed stage presence, while also engaging with fans in Malay throughout the concert.
His repeated greetings of ‘Apa khabar?’ and ‘Terima kasih’ drew cheers from the crowd, reflecting his warmth and appreciation for his Malaysian fans.
“It’s so good to be back in KL. I miss you guys and girls. Turn to the person you came with and say thank you. Thank you for being here with your friends and your family. I hope you will enjoy tonight’s show,” he said.
Besides his popular songs, the evening was also enlivened by his spontaneous and humorous remarks, particularly when he joked about how he had changed over the years, from someone who loved dancing to someone who now preferred a more relaxed and laid-back approach.
The singer admitted that he would rather sit during performances, rather than expend energy dancing as he did in his younger days.
“Eleven years ago, when I was a little younger, I felt like dancing. But now I feel like sitting down because why dance when you can sit down? In fact, why sit down when you can lie down? I feel like napping,” he quipped, drawing laughter from the audience.
It was clear that age was no obstacle to his ability to entertain as he continued with a string of songs, such as ‘93 Million Miles’, ‘Have It All’, ‘A Beautiful Mess’, ‘3 Things’ and ‘Make It Mine’.
The two-time Grammy Award winner then continued with ‘Unfold’, ‘The Remedy (I Won’t Worry)’ and ‘Love Someone’, all of which were greeted with cheers and enthusiastic singalongs.
Another highlight of the night was the appearance of Raining Jane, the band that has collaborated with Mraz for many years, giving fans an extra-special musical experience.
After nearly two hours of entertaining the crowd, Mraz finally brought the evening to a close with a parting message that fans would surely have loved to hear.
“And I’ll see some of my biggest and most sporting fans. See you very soon, jumpa lagi,” he said.
It may have been a simple farewell but it was enough to leave his fans hoping that the singer would not take too long to return to Malaysia. – BERNAMA
