HANDS On Tour [H.O.T.] 2017 @ Ipoh
With a play of lighting, fluid dance moves and most of all, rhythmic drum beats, the award-winning, renowned Malaysian percussion ensemble, Hands Percussion, put on a solid two-hour performance to mesmerise Ipoh audience last evening.
Hands Percussion was established twenty years ago, originating with the traditional ‘24 Festive Drums’. With the passage of time, the ensemble’s repertoire, vocabulary and capabilities have transformed and improved significantly.
Performances by HANDS are now a testament of their commitment and genuine passion to its art form and artistry. Elaborately stylised choreography of movement and dance is synonymous with their productions, which incorporate drums and other instruments such as the gamelan, djembe, kompang, gendang, timpani and marimba.
Having performed in many corners of the world, it is only now, twenty years later, that HANDS is embarking on a nationwide tour. One of the stops is Ipoh, and the group is still here now conducting workshops today and performing yet another show at 3pm. If you missed the show last night, you MUST secure your ticket right now as Hands Percussion’s next performance will be on 29th April in Penang and on 6th May in Kuantan.
Why wait when you can watch these talented drummers right here, right now? These photos I am sharing were from last evening’s show. It kicked off with a preview of what was to come, by the 24 Festive Drums group of Hua Lian High School Taiping, under the tutelage of Hands Percussion.
HANDS currently has nine full-time performers, 11 part-timers and ten trainees. The group came out in full force to bring the best production for us, from the get-go. Awakening soon followed the curtain raiser by students of Hua Lian High School Taiping. It is the sign of hope for life, as winter passes. Starting with a ‘Tai Chi’ movement, it was a challenging number due to the difficult drums position (by design).
Other numbers in the line-up included Rhythm Ride and Owned, as well as the ever popular and crowd favourite, Drumbeat Inferno. A drummer lives on energy and there is no energy quite like fire. This fiery composition consumes the drummers in a frenzy of leaps and turns.
Then there was the Bare Hands Dance, where the drummers demonstrated their skills without the use of drumsticks. How is that possible? This is one reason you have to watch them live! Last but not least, came my personal favourite, In the Name of Celebration. The beat of the finale got the crowd clapping along, including yours truly. I think I’ll go for my second helping today at 3pm!
Get in touch with the Perak Society of Performing Arts (PSAP) right now to secure your seats!
Perak Society of Performing Arts
Add: 151, Jalan Dato’ Lau Pak Khuan, Ipoh Garden, 31400 Ipoh, Perak Darul Ridzuan.
Tel: 05-2427814 / 012-5056192
Email: pspaipoh@gmail.com 
Website: www.pspaipoh.org
Event: HANDS On Tour [H.O.T.] 2017
Venue: Auditorium JKKN Perak, Ipoh
Date: 15th April, 2017
Time: 8.30pm
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This is a mix of music and art! It always nice to see our local percussion team go to the next level!
I really love watching ethinical themed shows. It really caters the influence and the history of your country. Goodluck on the event 🙂
I watched this kind of performance at Bangkok before. Really impressive!
Wahh. This is a really good tour. Normally only see it at parades.
Im sure their performances are really great. I wish I can watch them
I would love to catch their live performance! Looks amazing
I am not a musician, but I would love to be able to play an instrument. The drum is definitely one of the instruments on the short list. I would love to see HANDS perform live.
Wow Amazing! I wish I could watch this show
Drums and movements are the best show! If done right, you will be captivated throughout the show!
This show looks so fun! A mix of culture, music and art– I would want to watch this when I visit Malaysia 🙂
WOW.. i think i have to watch them live.. it looks so fun!
It must have been so impressive watching them play live! From your pictures I can already see how Much energy this performance is!
Nice show for them! Hands Percussion is originated from my Secondary school. so proud of them
it is nice to preserve culture and history. I love it!