Effendi Simbolon and Posan Tobing Bring Batak Music Show to 165 Cities

JAKARTA - The Indonesian music stage is again enlivened by an ambitious event that combines the breath of tradition with a modern package on a national scale.

Ahead of the 165th anniversary of the Christian Batak Protestant Church (HKBP), a series of music tours titled "Concert Road to 165" is planned to be held at hundreds of points throughout Indonesia.

This project was initiated by national figure Effendi Simbolon who collaborated with musician and producer of Batak blood, Posan Tobing.

Through the Anak Ni Raja Production flag, Posan is trusted as a promoter to escort the marathon concert in more than 160 cities.

This big ambition is not just chasing the quantity of the stage, but a concrete effort in preserving and elevating Batak music to a more prestigious level.

Until mid-February, this euphoria has successfully greeted Surabaya, Semarang, and Bandung with the enthusiasm of the audience.

Effendi Simbolon emphasized that this event is a cultural movement that aims to ensure that the identity of Batak music does not fade away with time. According to him, cultural heritage must remain relevant for the younger generation.

"We want Batak music to stay alive and be known across generations. Road to Concert 165 is a manifestation of our commitment to preserving cultural heritage while presenting the best work for the Indonesian people," said Effendi in a statement, Friday, February 20.

In line with this, Posan Tobing admitted that he had a great responsibility to maintain the quality of the performance in each city. He wants to ensure that the energy of Batak music can be felt universally by all layers of Indonesian society, regardless of their background.

"We are trying to present a concert with maximum quality, so that every city feels the same spirit and energy," said Posan. "Batak music has the power to unite, and that's what we want to bring to the stage."

A number of musicians across generations also strengthened the lineup of performers, ranging from Marsada Band, Osen Hutasoit, Tongam Sirait, to Maria Calista and Bastian Steel.

After completing the schedule in several major cities, Jakarta is scheduled to be a crucial point, before the tour series resumes after Lebaran 2026 to the international arena such as the United States and Germany.

This long series will culminate in the planned peak event at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium (SUGBK) in October 2026.

Even though it is related to the anniversary momentum of HKBP, Effendi emphasized that this event is inclusive for anyone.

"This event is secular, open to anyone. It has nothing to do with worship," he said.

For people who want to be part of this history, tickets can be accessed officially through the tiketapasaja.com page.