KUCHING: Live performance remains the soul of music despite rapid technological advances, according to The Commodores co-founder Thomas McClary.
Speaking during a meet and greet session ahead of the band’s Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) 2026 performance on Saturday, McClary urged younger musicians to embrace technology without losing their own creativity.
“Live performing is still very important. Don’t allow technology to take away your creativity. Utilise innovation, but do it in a way that still includes your own input,” he said.
McClary said the next generation has successfully carried music forward by drawing inspiration from older sounds while creating something original, reflecting this year’s RWMF theme, Regenerations: Roots and Rhythms.
“It is inspiring to know they have embraced that and created their own original sound by utilising the influence from the older sounds. That is the beauty of generations coming together through music,” he said.
He credited The Commodores’ enduring appeal to the connection shared between performers and audiences.
“When we walk onto the stage, we get energy from the audience, and we are waiting to give it back. Writing songs people can relate to with simple melodies they can sing along to has always been the key,” he said.
McClary also shared how The Commodores began after meeting Lionel Richie while registering at the Tuskegee Institute, before later opening for the Jackson 5 and signing with Motown Records.
He revealed the band is currently working on new music alongside a documentary about its journey.
Returning to Malaysia for the first time since performing in Kuala Lumpur in 1975, McClary said he was impressed by Sarawak’s musical heritage and the way local musicians incorporate traditional instruments into contemporary performances.
“We were inspired by what we heard here. All musicians are inspired by someone, and hearing the local instruments and rhythms has been a wonderful experience,” he said.
