Indonesian singer Fadhilah Intan urges artists to skip albums for small concerts
PETALING JAYA — Indonesian singer Fadhilah Intan challenged the convention that artists must release an album before holding concerts, arguing small-scale events can thrive without one. In an interview with Utusan…
Source: utusan.com.my · September 24, 2026 at 8:32 AM · AI-assisted report
Single-sourcePETALING JAYA, 24 SEPTEMBER 2026 —
PETALING JAYA — Indonesian singer Fadhilah Intan challenged the convention that artists must release an album before holding concerts, arguing small-scale events can thrive without one. In an interview with Utusan Malaysia, she said intimate, free-ticketed shows—without major sponsors—create meaningful fan connections regardless of an artist’s discography.
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“For a small, self-organised concert, I’d do it even with a small crowd,” she said. “Free tickets let more people attend, while bigger, professionally backed shows naturally need an album to justify a full setlist.” Her reasoning: a two-hour concert with just one song would feel incomplete.
Fadhilah’s stance follows a statement by composer and performer Ajai, who insisted artists should have at least one album before touring. She countered that emerging artists shouldn’t despair—proving her point with two recent intimate concerts in Jakarta and Surabaya, where she performed alongside guest artists Aina Abdul and Kak Barsena Bestandhi.
“If I can do it without an album, why can’t others?” she said. “My shows were successful, and the focus should be on live performance and audience engagement, not just records.”
The debate echoes broader industry shifts in Southeast Asia, where independent artists increasingly prioritise live performances and digital releases over traditional album releases. Fadhilah’s approach could encourage more musicians to experiment with smaller-scale events as a stepping stone to larger opportunities.
Related: Fadhilah Intan · Petaling Jaya