Avantgardey steals the show at ACG Concert 2026

KUCHING, 1 February 2026 - The Band Lab did an amazing job putting together last night's ACG Concert at Stadium Perpaduan in Kuching. The show drew thousands of concertgoers who were not just fans of anime, comics and games (ACG) but also music lovers and avid followers of Avantgardey, the immensely popular dance group from Japan that stole the show, shook the entire stadium, and had the fans screaming their lungs out at their every move. Even guest of honour, Dato Sri Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah (Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak) and his wife thoroughly enjoyed themselves last night.

Dato Sri Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and his wife with the concert lineup at the end of the stellar show.

ACG 2026 is the biggest, most ambitious iteration of the concert to date. Biggest in Borneo, in fact, and it brought together singers and musicians not just from Sarawak, not even just from elsewhere in Malaysia, but even all the way from Japan (The Band Lab Japan). And that was indeed the highlight of the concert… the fact that it brought together people from near and far and from different backgrounds, all for the love of ACG music. Many of the concertgoers came from outside Sarawak, even all the way from Singapore, Indonesia, and Japan.

The stellar line-up included Chien Ng, Dell Lawrence, Christine Chai, Binyun, Su Shane, Talitha, and guest choir Dolce Chanticleer, and of course The Band Lab, who performed an exciting repertoire that included music from some of the most beloved anime, comics (manga), and games that have been huge parts of Japanese pop culture. The concert programme featured the energetic and catchy "Idol" from Oshi No Ko, the adrenaline-pumping "Fly High" from Haikyuu, the nostalgic and tender "Promise of the World" from Howl's Moving Castle, the hauntingly beautiful "Always With Me" from Spirited Away, the enchanting and whimsical theme from My Neighbour Totoro, the epic and emotionally charged "Ashitaka and San" from Princess Mononoke, the soulful and moving "Tanjiro No Uta" from Demon Slayer, the powerful and cinematic "Homura" also from Demon Slayer, the iconic and electrifying "A Cruel Angel's Thesis" from Neon Genesis Evangelion, the heartfelt and soaring "Sparkle" from Kimi No Nawa (Your Name), the uplifting and triumphant "Main Theme" from Naruto, and the emotional and hopeful "Bluebird" also from Naruto, among many other songs.

One of the moving performances at last night’s ACG Concert.

Towards the end of the second half of the concert, the crowd went completely wild when Japan's viral dance group Avantgardey took to the stage. And with just a day to rehearse on that very stage, they completely owned it. Every cool move had the crowd roaring with cheers and screaming, especially when they danced to their hit song "OKP Cipher" and De Fam's "Alamak Raya Lagi!" And of course they danced in their signature school uniform getup.

An amazing show indeed and worth every bit of the admission ticket price. The stage setup, the lights and background visuals, the orchestra, the soloists, the special guest choir Dolce Chanticleer, The Voice Lab singers on the backup vocals, dancers from Miya Dance Studio and Iris School of Ballet, the repertoire… everything was executed so well for an evening that is unforgettable. And of course, Avantgardey's appearance was the icing on the cake. ACG Concert was definitely a huge success and by far one of the best musical events to have happened this year. Bravo!

The Band Lab readies to perform the theme from My Neighbour Totoro.