Despite being 'cancelled' initially, it looks like Namewee is going ahead with his year-ending concert after all.

Muar-born Namewee (real name Wee Meng Chee) was slated to ring in year 2020 with his Namewee 4896 Final Call Countdown concert at Axiata Arena, KL Sports City, Bukit Jalil.

However, original organiser Star Planet cancelled the concert on Dec 13, just two weeks before the concert date, citing that they were ‘unable to reach mutual consensus in co-operation’. Several thousand fans had already purchased their concert tickets from Star Planet at the time.

On Dec 14, Namewee, who has a formidable online presence with 2.2mil subscribers on Youtube and 2.1mil followers on Facebook, took to social media to air his grievances. Fans rallied around Namewee in droves, calling for a boycott of Star Planet.

Within days, matters quickly spiralled out of control as negative comments flooded the social media platforms operated by Star Planet. In order to minimise further damage to its credibility and reputation, the management of Star Planet conducted a press conference in Kuala Lumpur on Dec 18 to refute Namewee’s allegations by providing documents as proof of their claims. It was attended by Star Planet’s Managing Director Datuk Alan Foo, Operating Officer Carmen Liew and General Manager Elise Kee.



Star Planet held a press conference on the cancellation of Namewee's concert. Photo: Handout

While there are still many questions surrounding the controversy, the most pertinent ones now would be those concerning the concert. Here are a few things you should know if you're planning to go for Namewee's show.

What is the current status of Namewee’s concert? Has it been cancelled?

Namewee will carry on with his New Year's Eve concert at Axiata Arena at Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur on Dec 31, starting at 9pm. The show will now be organised and promoted by NSP (Namewee Studio Production) Entertainment.

Are the tickets I bought from Star Planet still valid?

No. Please note that the tickets bought from Star Planet are not eligible for admission to Namewee’s upcoming countdown concert as Star Planet is no longer the concert organiser nor tour promoter.

Star Planet has announced that it will be processing full refunds, starting Dec 23.

Those who have purchased their tickets from Star Planet are reminded to get their refunds from Star Planet (refunds@starplanet.com.my/+603-92233667), contactable during office hours, Monday to Friday, 11am to 7pm.

Where can I buy tickets to Namewee’s concert?

Tickets to Namewee 4896 Final Call World Tour countdown concert are currently available for purchase from My Ticket Asia (www.myticket.asia/+603 8605 0196).

In keeping with the festive spirit of the countdown show, Namewee has significantly slashed ticket prices to his upcoming concert. The tickets to his countdown show will now be selling for RM150, RM214, RM278, RM342, RM398, RM478.

Fans will enjoy this 20 percent discount on concert tickets purchased from this link (https://myticket.asia/#event=34665763)

Those who purchased tickets between Dec 14 and Dec 16 can also apply for the 20 percent discount.

Children of 95cm height or below are eligible for a child ticket priced RM54 without seat. There will be no admission for infants and children aged two and below.

Why is Namewee carrying on with the show?

Namewee has said before that playing at Bukit Jalil is a dream come true for him, as he had been waiting nine years to make it happen (a planned show in 2010 was cancelled). His current 4896 tour has previously played to sell-out crowds in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore and Genting.

Namewee has stated that it will likely be his last major show in Malaysia, owing to his poor health condition, as he has already lost 30kg due to illness, hence, he wants to perform the major concert of his dreams in KL while his health still permits.

Due to contractual obligations to Star Planet for the concert, Namewee said declined up to 25 offers to perform in shows including the lucrative Taipei 101 countdown show. Like Namewee, his entertainment team, concert crew, musicians, dancers and others involved in preparing for the countdown also had to forgo other projects for the past few months and have been working hard towards making the year-end show a success.

Namewee has pledged to donate profits to charity organisations, specifically non-profit organisations without any political affiliations or corporate financial backing. Interested parties may apply via email (contact.namewee@gmail.com).