NERD cancels Jakarta gig after KL mess

(The Jakarta Poast) – US hip-hop group NERD (No one Ever Really Dies) have cancelled their Jakarta concert following an unpleasant experience in Malaysia, concert organizers announced Sunday, just hours before the concert’s scheduled start.

Java Festival Production and Urbanite-Sinjitos said NERD had called off their Jakarta gig after Malaysian authorities questioned them and took their passports following their show Saturday at the Sunburst KL International Music Festival.

Resanda from Java said NERD members Pharrell Williams, Chad Hugo and Shay Haley did not
want the same thing happening in Jakarta.

Earlier, NERD’s Malaysian promoter had twice requested a permit for the group to perform in Malaysia, but authorities had rejected both requests, saying the way the group members dressed was obscene.

Even without a permit, NERD still performed. The authorities did not stop the show, but after it was over, the group members were detained and their passports held.

After negotiations, it was decided that it was the promoter’s fault, not the group’s, so they were released.

The Jakarta promoters said in a press release they were the victims of this debacle. Resanda said the Indonesian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur had tried to persuade NERD to continue with their trip to Jakarta by assuring them the Indonesian authorities would not pull a stunt like the Malaysian authorities did, but NERD had insisted on flying home.

Ticket holders can claim a refund from March 25 to 27 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at ticket boxes. Ticket holders can also call the organizers’ hotline at 0813 090 2424, 021 570 3704 or 96810022 during working hours.