THE Penang government is welcoming both traditional and modern concerts as part of its strategy to promote concert tourism in the state.
State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said Penang is positioning itself as an international city that embraces mobility, creativity, and cultural vibrancy including live music events.
“Concert tourism is a growing trend where fans travel to specific destinations, often internationally, to attend live performances.
“These events have become a key part of people’s travel experiences,” Wong told Buletin Mutiara during an interview at Komtar today.
He explained that the trend is largely driven by the desire for unique, immersive experiences and the universal appeal of live music.
“There is increasing interest in concerts featuring Malaysian, K-pop, J-pop, Chinese, Indonesian, and Tamil artistes. This multicultural demand reflects Penang’s diverse population and its appeal as a tourist destination,” he added.
In support of this growing sector, Wong said the state government is ready to collaborate with concert organisers by facilitating suitable venues and providing necessary logistical support.
“This initiative not only boosts tourism in general but specifically enhances Penang’s profile in the concert tourism segment.
“Among the popular venues for concerts in Penang are Padang Kota Lama, Setia SPICE Convention Centre, and SPICE Arena.
“With the soon-to-be-completed Penang Waterfront Convention Centre (PWCC), we will add another prime location for staging concerts in the state,” Wong said.
Wong explained that there are typically two categories of international performances namely free and ticketed.
“Free events are often held at Padang Kota Lama or the Esplanade, such as the Penang Yosakoi Parade, where we have previously invited Japanese performers,” he said.
However, he acknowledged that Penang is currently only equipped to host small and medium-scale concerts due to limitations in venue capacity.
“We are not yet ready for mega concerts like those held in Kuala Lumpur, which has facilities that can accommodate up to 80,000 concert-goers, along with better public transportation systems like the light rail transit (LRT) to manage crowd flow.
“Despite this, Penang is still capable of hosting concerts with audiences of between 10,000 to 20,000 at venues like SPICE Arena, Setia SPICE Convention Centre, and soon, PWCC,” he said.
Looking ahead, Wong expressed optimism that the upcoming Penang LRT project will significantly enhance the state’s concert tourism potential.
“Improved mobility through the LRT will make it easier for concert-goers to access venues and could open up new opportunities in the concert economy,” he said.
Wong also revealed that Chinese-language radio station My FM will be celebrating its anniversary in Penang for the first time by bringing in a lineup of local and international artists.
“Traditionally, their celebrations are held in Kuala Lumpur, but this time, Penang will host the event. An official announcement will be made by the station soon, so stay tuned,” he said.
Additionally, Wong shared that Dewan Sri Pinang is scheduled for an upgrade next year, which will enable it to accommodate mini-concerts and smaller performances.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Alissala Thian