Last Saturday, we saw BB Plaza’s rooftop car park area transformed into a venue of music, arts design and fashion. All hell broke loose as teenage fans gathered in a small confine area for a free gig and some cheap thrill. Even though it rained a little bit, but that didn’t stop the havoc that’s taking place on the roof top. Security was good, for a free gig.

This is the second Celcom’s U.O.X event. This time they featured some hard hitting bands.

We arrived late, as usual. Come to think of it, I had never been to any gig where I’m early. Not quite sure where it was we went all the way up to Sungei Wang’s rooftop parking lot and followed the loud music. It’s Bunkface playing. By the time we got there they already finished their slot.

Since we had just arrived, we walk around to check out the stalls. Angkatan Baju Malaya, Pop Malaya, Bangkit were all there.

It’s clear that the crowd were there for only one thing, and that thing is moshing. That is good for bands like One Buck Short, with its power pack performance, it’s wave after wave of fans crowd surfing. Other bands, more mellow bands however did not scored well with the hyper havoc crowd.

It’s one thing to boo a performer when you had paid big bucks to be at the event, but this is a free gig. You can’t expect much out of it, which is why I sometime avoid going to free gigs.

One Buck Short at U.O.X Play

Right after One Buck Short, there were Tempered Metal followed by Seven then Laila’s Lounge. We can see the crowd was disappointed. Nothing against Seven, but they were playing to a different crowd. Laila’s Lounge was missing a lead vocal. Apparently he got caught in the notorious Bukit Bintang traffic jam. They had to went on with out their lead singer.

As Laila’s Lounge was about to finish, the restless crowd starts to chant, “Bittersweet! Bittersweet! Bittersweet!” It’s clear that this British Band from Ipoh, known as Bittersweet is what everyone is waiting for.

Just when the band members with their unique look, tie and blazers, went on stage, I lost part of my hearing on my right ear as a couple of fan girls next to me starts screaming. T-shirt stalls near the stage starts packing, leaving an empty table as crowds start pushing forward and forward.

Bittersweet did their usual tuning and sound check routine, the crowd had already went wild, they had not even start their first song. They started with Capitol E and performed a few hits from their album Perfect Match and a new song Burn Berlin Down.

With all the moshing going on, the empty table left by the t-shirt vendors were flatten. One or two fans climbed up the canopy for a better view. Bittersweet plus free gig equals to massive turn out, add that with small confine place, leads to havoc. An equation organizer should always take note of.

Right after Bittersweet, we see part of the crowd leaving, and coming to the front were guys with big flat collar flower 70′s shirts. It’s time to chill with the sensual retro sounding band from Indonesia White Shoe & The Couple’s Company. It’s a totally completely different scene from what had happened just earlier. It’s a much more decent crowd.

Butterfingers were next, they played hits from their new album, which sound nothing like any of their old underground hits. A mellow performance as this once legendary grunge band changes its tunes. Emmett looks like a father figure.

Last band was SIGIT, The Super Insurgent Group of Intemperance Talent from Indonesia. I don’t really know much about this band, however they did an awesome performance. Each with face covered by their long hair. There are some serious Indonesian fans rocking to them. I know their are Indonesian because when the event was over and as we were walking back to our car, all we heard were chatters in Indonesian language.

All I can say is that it was both a bitter and sweet experience at Celcom’s U.O.X Play.