The Arts, Live Festivals and Events Association (Alife) said there has not been any sign of widespread cancellation or disruptions even to large-scale events that have already been lined up, underscoring the sector’s resilience.
For instance, the tourism ministry’s three-day water music festival in Bukit Bintang from May 1 to May 3 will proceed despite the challenging environment, Alife chairman Alan Foo told FMT.
He pointed out that such events would also serve as a key tourism driver, making them relevant for Malaysia given that the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign is already in full swing.
“More importantly, we must ensure that these events are planned responsibly, with clear economic and community value,” he said.
Alife deputy chairman Brian Johnson Lowe said even international artistes are still prepared to come to Malaysia, a good reflection of the country’s attraction as a live event destination.
However, he expects some events to be scaled down in response to rising costs.
“What we expect is not a broad retreat, but a recalibration. Many organisers will revisit scale, production costs, vendor logistics, transport expenses, and overall commercial exposure before committing,” Lowe said.
“Events will need to be executed with stronger commercial discipline. That means tighter cost control, smarter use of partnerships and sponsorships, more efficient logistics, and sharper audience targeting,” he added.
On ticket sales, he said it is still too early to tell if there will be any broad slowdown across the industry.
A number of foreign acts have already been lined up for the year. Tickets for the rapper and hip-hop artiste Post Malone’s show begin selling this week.
Lowe said events with strong local demand remain stable, but those relying on international attendees may face more cautious sentiment due to higher airfares and travel considerations.
The crisis has led to the closure of the airspace in the Gulf region and, as a result, some live events in countries like the UAE have been postponed to later in the year or cancelled outright.
The surge in oil prices has also forced some airlines to impose higher fuel surcharges, scale down operations or cancel flights.
Separately, Livescape Group CEO Iqbal Ameer said live event organisers are accustomed to navigating uncertainties and they remain confident in delivering on large-scale events.
“These events are an important factor in the wellbeing of residents and act as a massive driver for tourism,” he added.
However, he said, clearer and more transparent communication from both the government and private sector is crucial for industry players to plan effectively.
“The real problem arises when we receive information that paints a nice and rosy picture, but not so in reality. That lack of clarity makes it incredibly difficult for us to pivot and adapt,” he added.