31/01/2025

FRIDAY | JAN 31, 2025

23

LYFE

Nosferatu gets local release date

Ű BY R. BALA

MALAYSIAN horror fans can rejoice! After fears that Nosferatu may not pass local censors, GSC has announced the vampire horror flick will hit local screens on Feb 27. Written and directed by Roger Eggers, it is a remake of the classic horror flick of the same name from 1922. Starring Bill Skarsgard in the titular role, the new film borrows heavily the look of the original undead from the 1922 version, which was an unauthorised adaptation of the classic Bram Stoker novel – Dracula. The 2024 version, which also stars Willaim Dafoe and Lily-Rose Depp, tells a tale of a

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The latest version of Nosferatu , starring Skarsgard is set for a local release on Feb 27. – PIC FROM FACEBOOK@MOVIESNEW

evil monster that looks it. The latest adaptation also garnered four Oscar nominations, including for Best Cinematography and Best Make Up and Hairstyle. There was also a Werner Herzog remake Nosferatu the Vampyre (1979), starring Klaus Kinski in the lead role which was reasonably well-received. Where the latest film will rank remains to be seen. Malaysians will just have to wait till Feb 27 to decide. In the meantime, viewers can check out the 1922 original Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror, which is available to watch for free on YouTube.

young women who is entranced by dreams of being seduced and beholden to a death-like, blood sucking entity. In the 1922 German version, the evil vampire is a bald, evil eyed monstrosity played to supremely chilling effect by Max Shreck, who later disappeared from public eye, further fuelling dark and mysterious murmurs surrounding the film. Skarsgard’s Count Orlok is similarly shorn of follicles and has the same pointy ears and sickly green eyes, recalling the genuine creepiness of Shreck. No good looking Tom Cruise or Brad Pitt type vampires here, just a plain old

T AIWANESE group Energy has announced a meet and-greet with fans on Feb 11 at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur. This is ahead of its Imminent World Tour which lands at the Axiata Arena Bukit Jalil on April 5. Fans who have purchased tickets to the Imminent World Tour will receive an autographed poster at the event. In addition, there will be chances to win concert cash vouchers and participate in fan

of electrifying performances and spectacular production as Energy takes the stage in KL for its upcoming concert in April. Organised by Star Planet & Live Nation, this concert promises an immersive experience featuring advanced technology, breathtaking visuals and a massive LED floor extension. Relive iconic hits such as Let Go, Love Me for Another Day, Come On, Invincible and more in a show that will leave you spellbound.

interactions. The evening is set to be a vibrant celebration of music, connection and appreciation, also coinciding with the eve of Lantern Festival. Energy, composed of Milk, Kunda, Shuwei, Edy and Toro, is known for its dynamic dance moves and unique music style. Following the group’s return, Energy has been igniting excitement with the announcement of its tour in Malaysia. Fans can expect a night

Girl power!

2024 was a historic year for the music industry. According to Luminate’s latest annual report, on-demand audio streaming reached a record global volume of 4.8 trillion listens, registering 14% growth in 2023. But beyond these impressive figures, one notable fact stands out: The resurgence of pop driven by female artistes who dominated the charts. The dominant musical genre of the 20th century, pop has long suffered from a bad reputation. Often treated as a lightweight genre or even with derision, it is perceived by many as “disposable” music, a product of the entertainment industry “machine” and regularly criticised for its lack of authenticity. And yet, of all musical styles, pop is undoubtedly the most commercially successful. According to Luminate, this is borne out by its impressive growth in US streaming audio last year as pop is up by 0.48 points, surpassing rock that is up 0.40 points. This growth is largely down to the success of singers such as Taylor Swift. Having come a long way from her beginnings in Nashville, Tennessee — in just a few years she is now a major figure in popular culture and the entertainment economy. A true global icon, Swift was crowned the most listened-to artiste of 2024, with 12.8 billion streams in the USA. The success of her 11th album The Tortured Poets Department and The Eras tour, which became the most lucrative concert bonanza in history with over US$2 billion (RM8.75 billion) in revenue, illustrate the immense impact

Beyonce’s multiple Grammy nominations highlight the power of female pop acts. – PIC FROM FACEBOOK @BEYONCE

trend illustrates the growing inclusivity and recognition of women’s role in pop culture. With blockbuster concert tours, thriving creativity and an increasingly diverse audience, women are reinventing pop. They are not just breaking through the glass ceiling, they are reshaping the musical landscape. This collective movement highlights one thing with certainty: The future of pop is being written by women. – ETX Studio Eilish is among the most popular artistes on streaming platforms. – PIC FROM FACEBOOK@BILLIEEILISH

of the singer. In the wake of Swift, Billie Eilish, Sabrina Carpenter and Ariana Grande also stood out in 2024, racking up 4.46 billion, 3.71 billion and 3.12 billion streams, respectively. This triumph of female artistes is all the more remarkable as this is the first time in history where seven of the 10 most listened-to artistes in the US were female singers. Pop seems to be regaining the lustre and Swift’s mammoth Eras Tour was a global success. – PIC FROM FACEBOOK @TAYLORSWIFT

popularity of its heyday. However, the rise of this musical genre and its female icons is not just about numbers. It also embodies a major cultural transformation in a historically male-dominated industry. According to the Luminate Index, which evaluates the influence of artistes through criteria such as streaming, social media and fan engagement, Swift, Adele and Beyonce occupy the top three places. In the top 10, only two men rank: Elton John (4th) and Eminem (6th). This