I have never been able to comprehend the pop culture phenomenon that is Justin Bieber. Sure, he boasts movie star good looks and a string of popular singles, but does he really warrant a global legion of loyal fans and tight security measures that befit a political leader? As my mobile phone was hastily checked in to the media registration counter due to security reasons ahead of his Southeast Asian press conference at the KL Convention Centre on Saturday afternoon, I was still none the wiser.

Justin Bieber at the press conference

With the clock ticking and Bieber nowhere to be seen, the regional media in the packed Convention Centre theatre had to contend with several loops of his latest record ‘Believe’. A little over two hours and several false starts by MTV Asia’s VJ Holly later, the 18-year-old finally appeared onstage with his guitarist Dan Kanter to the delirious screams from a group of female fans, who had won the chance to catch the Canadian’s special seven-track acoustic set. With poise and confidence belying the former YouTube sensation’s tender age, the Ontario native charmed his Beliebers with stripped-down renditions of ‘One Less Lonely Girl’, ‘Baby’ and ‘Boyfriend’, among others, as well as a one-too-many ‘I love you guys’. VJ Holly ended the afternoon by confirming that Bieber, arguably the biggest name in the line-up, would be the opening act at MTV World Stage Live in Malaysia later in the day, and the teen idol descended upon the impressive Sunway Surf Beach stage according to script at 6.45pm.


Kara (credit: Lucas Lau/MTV Asia)

After kicking off the evening’s festivities with smash hit ‘Baby’, he put on his dancing shoes during ‘All Around the World’ and ‘As Long as You Love Me’, which was followed by acoustic performances of ‘Die in Your Arms’, ‘Be Alright’ and ‘One Time’. A small section of the crowd left the venue following his closing number ‘Boyfriend’, but the remaining revellers were treated to a bootylicious display by Korean girl-group Kara, who finished their set with hit single ‘Mister’.


Mizz Nina (credit: Aloysius Lim/MTV Asia)

Next onstage was Mizz Nina, who wowed the crowd with a high energy dance performance that featured elaborate choreography from her dance crew before ending the set with ‘What You Waiting For’. Jay Park, a former member of popular Korean boy band 2PM, was tasked with closing a relatively early night (the event ended at 10pm) and the American-Korean did so with aplomb, thanks in part to a futuristic laser light show that complemented his power-packed dance moves.


Jay Park (credit: Lucas Lau/MTV Asia)

With no live band in sight, this year’s World Stage was a different animal from earlier incarnations that featured the likes of Kasabian, Neon Trees and Tokio Hotel. A father who was carrying his little daughter on his shoulders while swaying to Mizz Nina’s ‘Takeover’ was the scene that best epitomises MTV World Stage Live in Malaysia 2012 and Bieber in particular: wholesome, easy on the eye and mainstream. Although I am still perplexed by the amount of adulation afforded to the Biebster (fans were seen crying incessantly during his twin performances), I can’t argue with the record-breaking 16,000 crowd that braved the traffic-heavy Sunway area to catch this annual music event. These global superstars have a knack for bringing people together, and at a time when the ability to discover an obscure musician garners street cred, isn’t that what pop music is all about?

Missed the show? MTV World Stage Live in Malaysia 2012 premieres Saturday, July 28, 2.30pm on MTV (Ch 713). More info at www.mtvasia.com. Images courtesy of MTV Asia.