Anggun and Remaining Dreams

Anggun began to attract international attention when her single, "Snow On The Sahara", was released in the late 1990s. The singer then released his international debut album in 33 countries which sold more than two million units.

Anggun's career has received recognition in various countries, including Indonesia, Italy, France, Malaysia, Switzerland, Philippines, the United States, Singapore, and many more. In addition to her music career, she also serves as a judge in several talent competitions, including Asia's Got Talent.

Ahead of the concert, with Flashback Motion as promoter, Anggun stopped briefly in Indonesia. This beautiful singer revealed a few stories about her event preparations, career journey and life experiences so far in an interview at the Mulia Senayan Hotel, Jakarta, Friday (3/5/2024).

During the conversation, Anggun showed herself as the same Anggun as before. Her long black hair, tanned skin, and firm voice remain unchanged. Sweet smiles occasionally appear on her face accompanied by laughter. The diva remains humble and genuine.

The following is a snippet of Kompas's interview with Anggun:

After the end of 2019, Anggun will finally hold another solo concert in Indonesia. What is the background to this concert?

Actually, I want to have a concert every five or six years. And indeed before that, the first concert was in 2006, the second concert was in 2011, the third concert was in 2019, and now the concert is in 2024. So, yes, there is indeed a five year gap. I actually feel sorry for the fans because every time I post on social media, they ask when the concert will be again.

Wait a minute, yes, because this is not just preparation, but there are also many things in terms of the venue that has to be right, the promoter has to be right, the sponsor has to be there. There are so many things that make a concert complicated. And thank God, thank God, we can have a concert on July 28th.

What is special about this concert?

Yes, every concert wants to be special, bro, and this is the fourth concert. The previous three solo concerts were very variable because the musicians were different, the venue was also different, the guest stars were also different. And we will know the difference when we start doing it, when we start practicing because the treatment for the songs will definitely be different.

This time, I played with Mas Andi Rianto and the Magenta Orchestra. With 50 musicians, this concert will have a magnificent impression. My songs will be transformed, the rock ones will probably be made into orchestral rock. This is why I'm nervous because I haven't practiced yet so everything is still in theory. What is clear is that we will make something that the fans will be happy with. That's my homework.

Are there any leaks about the songs that will be performed?

I have many songs, yes. Basically, all of them represent the many decades from the 1990s, 2010s, to the present. So, I have been making music for four decades now and of course, I cannot bring all the songs, so they have to be selected. Maybe around 20 songs.

Can you say this concert is a moment to reintroduce Anggun to the younger generation?

I don't have such a strategy at all because I'm not a new artist. If you're a new artist, you need a strategy to conquer the market.

I am one of the lucky singers because I have songs from the 1990s until now. I see a lot of shows, like X Factor, and The Voice, lots of singers singing my songs and many of them are automatically from Generation Z. Then the little kids who often sends DMs singing the songs "Dream" and "Tua Tua Keladi". Even though, jeez, that's a song from the 1990s and their parents were probably just born too. Until now they still sing those songs.

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This made me think, if one song or one singer has crossed generations, what else would they introduce? I don't have a strategy at all because I already have a fanbase.

Many of Anggun's songs are "timeless".

That's what I want. Incidentally, I am one of the lucky artists because I have many songs that are evergreen (timeless) in Indonesia, including "Mimpi" and "Tua Tua Keladi". Some of my friends say that everyone knows the songs "Indonesia Raya" and "Tua Tua Keladi". It seems like an exaggeration, but actually it's not, ha-ha-ha. The thing is, every time I perform that song, everyone is happy and knows it no matter how old they are.

In his work, Anggun can create works in three languages, namely English, French and Indonesian. Does each song in this language have a different creation process and approach so that the song's message can still be conveyed?

Language is just a vehicle, what matters is the content. So, what is it that needs to be conveyed? I've always believed it's important to create lyrics that are meaningful and have substance. Therefore, regardless of the language used, if the meaning and content are accurate, the message will hopefully still reach the listener. Especially in today's age where tapes and CDs are no longer in use, songs will still strike a chord and be remembered even if they don't remember every single word. They will remember the essence and feeling.

Apart from music, Anggun is also a judge at competition events in various countries, including Singapore, France and Belgium. What's it like being a judge?

Actually, my first experience as a judge was at X Factor in Indonesia in 2013, a long time ago. After that, I became a judge on Indonesia's Got Talent, Asia's Got Talent, The Voice, Mask Singer, and < i>Starmaker. It's nice because so many artists become judges in competitions that are watched by many people to stay relevant. Actually, for me it's fun and it's nice to be able to see new talents, I'm always amazed to see the talents that are right in front of my eyes. If they want to get my input, yes, I'm happy.

What tips does Anggun usually share with new singers?

So be yourself, okay? This is the most expensive because being someone else is easy. Cheating is easy, but being yourself is difficult.

What is Anggun's experience working in different places with different expectations?

Expectations are no different, they are always the same. From the label, they want the album to sell well, the concert promoter wants the concert to sell out. As an artist, my expectation is for the public to be happy, but in the most important way for me it remains honest. In that sense, not only from the business aspect, but also from the showmanship and the creative side, don't forget. Must always be honest.

Is this song really good for you or the market? Can the song represent you, your thoughts, who you really are today or not? Or is it just good for the market? Is this song good for the market and good for you? There are lots of questions like that in an artist's head.

Anggun has had a career spanning four decades. From the beginning of singing in the 1980s. Did Anggun ever think that Anggun's career would reach this point?

No, not really. In the past, the dream was to become a successful singer who could entertain many people, not just in one country, but in many countries. That's what was desired. However, between aspirations, dreams, and theories, there are many paths that have to be taken.

I felt lucky, really, that I probably got out of Indonesia at the right time. I was 21 years old at that time and at that time there was no social media, no YouTube. So, everything starts from the bottom. I have to make a demo, find a studio, hire musicians to make music. Then I had to make a CD, call the labels, keep asking for an appointment to hear whether the CD was good or not. Do they want to sign or not? It was really slow from the bottom.

Things like that no longer exist in the world today. It's called old school. So, the way I started my career outside was like that. From below and instant. Maybe that's why every stage I get, or every small or big success, I'm very grateful because I feel how hard it was from before.

With a lot of international experience, Anggun is now a cosmopolitan because Anggun has been exposed to many cultures from various nations. How does this exposure affect Anggun's identity and influence Anggun's work or attitude?

Actually, my identity remains the same wherever I go. Though I absorb other cultures, my child was born in France and attended a public school in Paris. Her name is Kirana, not Elizabeth or any other name. She can still speak Indonesian because I communicate with her in that language, even though she doesn't have any friends to speak Indonesian with in France. If one day my child cannot speak Indonesian, it will be my fault.

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So, this is something that I always uphold. Because nation is not blood, not geographic location, and not the color of your passport, but your identity. For example, I am currently fluent in other languages, but I still use Indonesian when I think and calculate. Still, if you don't eat rice, you'll still be hungry. We can't make something like that happen because it's always been like that.

I am somewhat concerned every time I come to Indonesia and see children born to Indonesian parents with Indonesian passports, but unable to speak Indonesian. Meanwhile, I am bombarded with questions about changing my nationality, but my child can speak Indonesian. So, where does the level of pride in a nation actually lie? Is the color of the passport more important than maintaining identity?

After a career spanning four decades, is there still another dream that Anggun wants to make come true?

A lot, really. Now actually I'm not just into music, but have moved into the world of acting. Recently, I got into a musical comedy. This year, I played in an English musical comedy in Italy entitled Jesus Christ Superstar. It was a film in the 1970s and was famous in America and Europe. This is a very legendary and iconic musical. It's kind of like a Broadway show and the experience is different, yeah. If it's a solo concert, it's his own responsibility even if there are lots of guest stars or musicians. In musicals, we share with other actors. This is my second experience. So, it's nice to have an experience like this.