An ace a capella experience at Six2Eight's anniversary outing

Source: Free Malaysia Today
Author: Fmt Lifestyle, Terence Toh

PETALING JAYA: The human voice is capable of creating sounds that can evoke an astonishing range of emotions, dynamics and textures. These are best showcased through a capella, or singing without musical accompaniment.

Local music group Six2Eight have been performing it for three decades now. In their new show, "Six2Eight Presents: 30 Years of Rockapella", they look forward to treating audiences to high-energy performances of various popular hits.

"The appeal of a capella lies in the challenge of performing a new song, especially when it has complicated instrumentation to begin with. When we harmonise on that one complicated note, it's exhilarating," director and performer Nicole-Ann Thomas told FMT Lifestyle.

Six2Eight comprises members of all backgrounds, from age 40 to 80. Previous performances include "Rocking the Eighties" (2009) and "Songs of the Festive Season" (2012).

Originally known as "BuburChaCha", the group began as an offshoot of "Yesterday", a 1993 show by the Selangor Philharmonic Society that was scaled down for private functions.

After difficulties registering their name as a company, they renamed themselves Six2Eight in the late '90s - a reference to the fact that their performances would feature six to eight singers on stage.

This weekend, "30 Years of Rockapella" will be performed by a mix of the group's older and newer members. The 120-minute concert features 35 signature songs from the group's long and colourful journey.

Music lovers can look forward to four sets, including the "BuburChaCha era" and the "Six2Eight era". The former includes classic hits such as "Proud Mary", "Why Do Fools Fall In Love", "The Lion Sleeps Tonight", "Under the Boardwalk" and "Blue Moon".

Fans of the group's Six2Eight era, on the other hand, can look forward to numbers such as "Massachusetts", "My Girl", "Yue Liang Dai Biao Wo De Xin", "Stupid Cupid" and "Blue Suede Shoes".

"We will definitely take listeners of any age down memory lane, whether it's 20 or 80 years ago. So come and be entertained with classic and nostalgic songs - there's something for everyone," Thomas concluded.

'Six2Eight Presents: 30 Years of Rockapella'

When: Saturday (March 9), 5pm & 8.30pm

Where:

Cosmic Theatre Hub,

Block G, Phileo Damansara 1, Jalan 16/11,

Pusat Perdagangan Phileo Damansara,

Petaling Jaya, Selangor

Tickets, priced at RM39, can be booked here.