For over a decade now, Electro Dance Music (EDM) has been rising in Malaysia, and April 11 was proof of that.
What happened on April 11? Well, it was the night of NEON Music Festival 2025.
The event promised top of the line DJs—as expected, there was a high-octane blend of powerhouses, progressive elegance, and local legends.
But beyond the star-studded cast of performers, how did the event go, and was it worth attending?
The journey starts
This epic party is set to start at 4PM and go all the way up to 12AM.
Arriving at the scene 8PM, the festival was already in full swing, with the music pumping while lasers and fireworks flooded Kuala Lumpur sky.
The ticket price started from RM288 for their general admissions, though the organisers generously hosted for the night.
One cool thing about their admissions process is that you can simply register at the gate using QR codes, and then redeem wristbands which function also as your wallet. These tech-savvy “bracelets” can be used to purchase drinks, merchandise, and the like.
Must say, it was super convenient for a careless person like myself who might lose a thing or two while rummaging through my pouch, especially when in the middle of a crowd.
But do note that the festival does not accept cash. So keep those wristbands on, should you attend their next one!
Safety first
After checking in, we had to go through ticket verifications at the security checkpoint. Kudos to them for keeping the festival free of illicit items. The bag checking was very thorough, and even my friend’s tiny 7g lip balm was confiscated.
It was disappointing to part with her lip balm, but we understand that safety measures must be enforced. So remember to leave your lip balms—and other precious items—at home if you don’t want it taken away.
Notably, NEON had partnered with local authorities to implement intensive crowd safety protocols modeled after global benchmarks seen at top-tier festivals such as Ultra Miami and Tomorrowland. These benchmarks include:
- Real-time crowd density monitoring across the festival grounds
- Multiple emergency access lanes and rapid response teams
- Clear signage and trained personnel to ensure smooth ingress and egress
- Regular safety drills and live coordination with local medical and enforcement agencies
NEON announced, “Our top priority has always been the safety and comfort of our attendees. We worked hand-in-hand with city officials and safety experts to make sure every element of the experience was both thrilling and secure.”
It was good to see them walking the talk.
Lots of activities
Moving from the security gates, this was where the fun started. Before hitting the stage, there were other awesome attractions available for the crowd to participate in.
For one, there was a wall covered in glow-in-the-dark paints that attendees can participate in. It was facing a strategically placed radiant, luminous see-saw, complete with a glowing swing. It really sets the trippy Alice in Wonderland vibe.
There’s also a VIP venue, kept separated from the center stage. Meanwhile, the upper deck serves as a drinking zone and for VVIP.
If you’re thirsty, there’s a beverage station where you can pick your poison—or not. The drinks are divided between nonalcoholic or not, though both are pretty pricey. For one, mineral water was sold at RM15 while beer went for RM25.
More than a thirst for beverages, our thirst for the stage was stronger, so we dove straight to the main stage, called the Infinity Stage.
It’s showtime
As we arrived later in the evening, we missed the earlier sets and performances, including the first-ever B3B set in Asia (and the world) featuring DubVision, Matisse & Sadko, and Third Party.
We were able to catch Artbat, which started with their song Take Off. Their setlist really blew up the scene in the best way possible.
Featuring sync pyros and insane graphics. Hardwell was undoubtedly one of the major stars of the night with his signature mainstage energy comprising seismic drops, euphoric buildups, and a set engineered for peak festival energy.
Present that evening was also local and Southeast Asian legends such as Blink and DirtySignal, who set the stage ablaze. The momentum was continued with powerhouse sets from 22Bullets, Marvinz1r, RXB, Honey Gee, and Chukiess & Whackboi.
The lineup was definitely a result of the work done by NEON Projects Sdn Bhd, the organiser of the events.
For those unfamiliar with this staple entertainment company, NEON Projects is a company that endeavours to elevate the live music experience in Malaysia by curating events that blend top-tier local and global talent with innovative production elements.
Through its events, it has solidified its reputation as a leader in the regional entertainment industry. They’re known for the NEON Music Festival, as well as NEON Countdown and Sunset by NEON, which has gained local and international traction in the EDM landscape.
While the event offered an eight-hour marathon of non-stop, heart pumping music, we ended up enjoying just three hours.
But those three hours, filled with fantastic, pulsating beats beneath a spectrum of stunning lasers and majestic fireworks, was all it took to show us NEON Festival’s magic and the organiser’s prowess.
It’s clear to us that these EDM events organised by NEON reflects the individuality and creativity of the community. The atmosphere, sets, and imaginative designs create an euphoric experience that’s hard to come by—especially in a safe and secure environment.
If this sounds like an experience to have, keep your eyes peeled for NEON’s next events.
NEON Music Festival
Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/neon_musicfestival/
Website: https://neonmusicfestival.asia/
