Guba

Despite the K-Pop-esque styling of his posters and his popstar appearance, Guba’s music is mostly acoustic folk ballads. Singing in a combination of Bahasa Malaysia and English, Guba’s almost androgynous, reedy tenor is melodic and entertaining in any language. By the end of his 75 minute set though, his songs begin to feel a little samey; the set list would have benefited from some variation in mood and dynamic. There were times when a lack of diction made the lyrics difficult to follow, but Guba’s ability to write witty, catchy lyrics in two languages is impressive. He is yet to develop a large following in Australia, but the audience seemed thoroughly charmed.

The seating and décor were cabaret-style, but Guba’s performance would be better described as a concert, with very little banter or conversation between songs. Particularly with his songs performed in Bahasa Malaysia, some explanation of his songs and his inspiration would have definitely added a level of interest for the audience. Guba’s performing style is shy and humble, which he often uses to his advantage, winning the audience over with his awkward manner and embarrassed smiles. He sometimes crossed the line from ‘quirky and humble’ to ‘visibly nervous’, but the audience was not deterred.  

Guba opens the show alone on the stage, accompanying himself on the guitar. The large, bare stage of the Space Theatre almost swallows him up, with his quiet guitar tunes and even quieter manner. Luckily, he is quickly joined by his band, who fill the stage perfectly and seem to know the music through and through, sometimes better than Guba himself. The sound for the show was generally well-balanced, although Guba was occasionally drowned out by his band, and the lighting was subtle and elegant, drawing the audience’s attention to the performers without pulling focus.

Guba’s confidence and performance skills are still developing, but even as is, the show is a cute one. He’s is new to the international music scene, but his talent and his collaborations with globally-acclaimed musicians such as Yuna give the impression that he will be around for a while. Most of the audience came to see Guba not knowing whether to expect perky pop or a soulful alternative set; the reality is somewhere between the two. The show is still finding its feet, and so is Guba himself, but with his writing abilities, sweet tones and his smile that would melt any teenage girl’s heart, he’s definitely one to watch.

Rating: 3 stars out of 5

OzAsia Festival
www.ozasiafestival.com.au
13-29 September