At this event, different generations met: to the sounds of familiar hits, both those who grew up with cassettes and MTV and the youth who discovered these songs in the streaming era danced together.
On stage performed artists such as Nana, Outlandish, Haddaway, and Natascha Wright, known as the voice of La Bouche. The day before the concert, the global stars held a press conference attended by a correspondent from VB.KG.
Nana shared his impressions of Kyrgyzstan:
- I was pleasantly surprised by the warm welcome I received here. I am sure I will return again. Today I will perform my famous hits, such as Lonely, Let It Rain, Dreams. It is especially nice to see parents bringing their children to concerts, and the younger generation enjoying this music — it truly is a connection of generations.
The artist also noted the unique atmosphere of festivals:
- They have a special energy. I am looking forward to performing and hope to light up the stage together with the audience of Bishkek.
Nana emphasized that his songs have a deep meaning:
- Our compositions are not about drugs or alcohol, but about feelings and significance. If they resonate in people's hearts, then we are doing everything right.
Additionally, he mentioned a possible collaboration with Kyrgyz singer Bakr:
- I know about Bakr, and perhaps one day we will create a joint track.
The group Outlandish also shared their impressions of the region:
- We have been familiar with this part of the world for a long time. The nature here is magnificent, the people are amazing, and of course, the cuisine is wonderful.
They believe that the popularity of 90s music is not just about nostalgia:
- It was the era of MTV. That’s when Nana and Haddaway became icons for millions.
The musicians are confident that artists should remain sincere:
- It is important not to try to be fake for the sake of trendy trends. Social media can be a useful tool, but people feel insincerity. You can experiment, but the main thing is to remain yourself.
The group spoke warmly about the local audience:
- In different countries, the audience reacts differently, but here people are joyful from the very first minute. This is a very warm and grateful audience, and we feel their support.
Haddaway, who visited Bishkek for the fifth time, noted the changes in the city:
- Bishkek has changed a lot over the past 25 years. But the main thing is that people here still know and love my songs.
In his opinion, the reason for the popularity of 90s music lies in its melodiousness:
- At that time, we competed with Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston. It was an era of musical diversity, and that diversity holds the secret.
The artist also touched on the importance of copyright:
- Modern performers can send remixes without proper respect for copyright. If we stop caring about this, the music industry will have no future.
Haddaway noted how the musical landscape has changed:
- Previously, MTV set the tone. Now streaming platforms provide access to any music. For example, K-pop is a unique combination of hip-hop and local traditions. I don’t strive to teach the new generation; I just perform, and if people like it, I am grateful to them.
Natascha Wright shared her experience and time in Eurodance:
- I am a girl from the 90s. My career began in this amazing time. Many don’t know, but I started with Haddaway and then became part of La Bouche.
She promised to gift the audience with beloved hits:
- Be My Lover, What Is Love, Sing Hallelujah — this is music from an era full of hits. Back then, Eurodance, rap, and hip-hop created a unique atmosphere.
The singer mentioned that she doesn’t collect souvenirs but keeps memories:
- I have an imaginary box where I store emotions from different countries. If someone asks about Bishkek, I will say that it has wonderful nature and beautiful people.
About her success, she simply says:
- It takes talent, hard work, and a bit of luck. I dreamed of this, worked hard, and met the right people along the way.
The festival organizer, Darika Ibraimova, talked about the origin of the idea:
- We have been organizing concerts and festivals for 20 years, but before, there were no suitable venues in Kyrgyzstan for a project of this scale.
The situation changed with the opening of the "Zhashtyk-Arena":
- When a modern venue appeared, we realized that we could implement this idea. The festival is dedicated to the 20th anniversary of our company, and we plan a series of Dari Fest events.
According to her, the project will continue:
- This year we hope to hold three festivals and count on the support of listeners.
The selection of artists was thorough:
- We compiled a list of performers based on their 90s hits and their ability to come. We were lucky to gather everyone in one day in Kyrgyzstan, - noted the organizer.
Dari Fest demonstrated that the hits of the 90s are still relevant, uniting people, cultures, and countries.
The audience sang familiar lines, danced to the energetic rhythms of Eurodance, and captured moments filled with emotions and memories on their phones.
Nostalgia, the energy of the stage, and the sincerity of the performers made the festival an event where the past and present intersected in a unified rhythm.
This confirmed that true music is timeless.
