Joe Satriani To Steve Vai Expected To Join Dewa 19 Featuring All Stars 2.0 Concert

JAKARTA - A new schedule for the Dewa 19 featuring All Stars 2.0 concert has been announced. The concert featuring the collaboration of Dewa 19 with American rock musicians will be held at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium (SUGBK), Central Jakarta on September 6.

Dewa 19 frontman Ahmad Dhani said that his party would try to add a line-up for American musicians to join this concert.

"With this new date, Paul Gilbert (Mr. Big guitarist) who initially couldn't, we will try to bring it," said Ahmad Dhani, during a press conference in Senayan, Central Jakarta, Monday, December 30.

Not only that, as compensation for rescheduling, Dhani will also try to reconnect three other well-known guitarists to join.

"Previously we also had a call from Joe Satriani and Steve Vai, but the schedule couldn't. Yes, hopefully, on September 6 we can. Likewise Steve Lukather (guitarist Toto)," said Dhani.

"Yes, as compensation for this reschedule, we try to present them," he continued.

Meanwhile, the line-up of American musicians who had previously been announced, will certainly continue to appear for a new schedule. They are John Waite (Bad English), Gary Cherone and Nuno Bettencourt (Extreme), Eric Martin and Billy Sheehan (Mr. Big), Ron Bumblefoot Thal, Dino Jelusick, and Derek Sherinian.

Meanwhile, the postponement of the Dewa 19 featuring All Stars 2.0 concert began with concerns that appeared on social media, if the concert was still held as planned, then the Indonesian national team match in SUGBK would be disrupted, due to the potential for damaged grass.

In addition, the organizers also received a letter from the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) dated December 13, requesting that the concert be postponed until the Indonesian national team completes the third round of the 2026 World Cup Qualification in the Asian zone.

"Starting from netizens who were somewhat disturbed by the concert on January 18, we finally wrote by Mr. Erick Thohir as Chairman of PSSI, which contained a request for a postponement of the schedule, because there was an Indonesia match against Bahrain in March," said Dhani.

Dhani is well aware of the consequences, if the concert is held as planned. He wants Dewa 19 and his fans to support the struggle of the Indonesian national team. In addition, he also did not want to be a scapegoat, when GBK grass was not in its best condition when holding football matches.

"We both fear that the grass in GBK will be damaged. So, we have the same awareness and concern for the national team match," said Dhani.

"We, Dewa 19 are also afraid that if the grass is damaged, it will become a scapegoat. The manager of GBK and the promoter will also be blamed. So I, the promoter, and the chairman of PSSI agreed to postpone it," he continued.

Rescheduling is the only way to continue this show. Dhani said changing the venue from GBK to another place while still choosing the initial schedule was not an option.

"We are not pushing (willing to go to GBK), but consistent. Because we first sell tickets at GBK, yes, we are consistent with buyers, who have already bought tickets to watch at GBK," he concluded.