MALIQ & D'Essentials Songs Inspire Futuristic Musical 'Senja Teduh Pelita'

Jakarta Movin is set to stage "Senja Teduh Pelita," a musical theater production featuring 20 songs by the popular Indonesian band MALIQ & D'Essentials. The show, scheduled for July 3-5, 2026, at Graha Bhakti Budaya, has already sold out its initial run and added performances through July 12, 2026, due to overwhelming demand.

The musical's narrative unfolds in a fictional futuristic setting, depicting a world on the brink of collapse and a quest for new hope. Producer and director Nuya Susantono explained that the project aims to blend Indonesian pop culture with the musical theater genre, extending its reach. The choice of MALIQ & D'Essentials was strategic, given their cross-generational appeal and rich storytelling potential.

Susantono, who grew up with MALIQ & D'Essentials' music, believes their songs offer interpretations far beyond typical romantic themes. "MALIQ & D'Essentials are synonymous with romance, but if you delve deeper, there are many broad interpretations," Susantono said. "It's not just limited to romantic love, but can be for family, friends, feelings of love, or even for our lives."

Angga Puradiredja, a vocalist for MALIQ & D'Essentials, expressed surprise at how their songs could inspire a new narrative. "These are songs about life, I only understood love," Angga remarked. "I asked them to interpret MALIQ & D'Essentials as we usually perform it, so that 'Senja Teduh Pelita' could be created. Suddenly, 10 years later, this musical inspiration comes from songs I didn't understand back then."

Indah Wisnuwardhana, another vocalist, sees the collaboration as a vital opportunity for their music to remain vibrant and connect with a wider audience. "It's more sustainable. For us, this collaboration with Jakarta Movin is a new opportunity, a new inspiring medium. For me, it's a new excitement. I want the songs to fill friends' lives for longer," she stated.