Every great movement begins with a single conversation.
Two years ago, Dhan Andreas, Head of Brands at Astro Audio, sat down with Phat Fabes, host of The LITE Drive on LITE FM, with an idea that would soon reconnect an entire generation through the universal language of music. The vision was simple yet powerful: bring back the DJs, the songs, and the unforgettable spirit of Malaysia’s legendary club scene.
Phat Fabes then reached out to RF (Ariff), founder of RF Integrated Services and an experienced entertainment consultant specialising in event production, media, live experiences & a DJ himself, to bring the vision beyond the airwaves and into reality.
Having been close friends and colleagues since their early years in the industry, the two shared a mutual passion for music, entertainment and Malaysia’s vibrant nightlife heritage. Together, they set out to reunite legendary DJs, reconnect former clubbers and introduce a new generation to the timeless sounds of the golden era.
With a shared vision to preserve the memories, stories and spirit of Malaysia’s iconic club culture, Club Roots evolved from a simple idea into a full-scale retro entertainment brand — celebrating the DJs, the music and the unforgettable moments that continue to bring people together.
What started as a one-hour radio feature on The LITE Drive, airing every Friday from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM on LITE FM, quickly became much more than a nostalgic tribute. Week after week, Club Roots brought together the pioneers who shaped Malaysia’s nightlife throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the DJs who ruled the dance floors, created unforgettable memories, and provided the soundtrack to an entire generation.
From iconic clubs such as DV8, Faces, Hot Gossip, Chukka, Cinta, Borsalino, Stardust, Party Box, 11LA, Tin Mine and many more, legendary DJs returned behind the decks — not just to play music, but to revive an era when nightlife was about connection, discovery and unforgettable moments.
Listeners didn’t just want to hear those songs again. They wanted to experience them. They wanted to reunite with old friends, return to the dance floor, and celebrate the music that defined their youth. And from a simple radio segment, a movement was created.
Today, Club Roots celebrates its second anniversary with “THE BIG JAM 2.0”, an extraordinary night of music, nostalgia and celebration happening on Saturday, 8 August 2026, at Bund & Barrel, Pacific Tower, Petaling Jaya – bringing together legendary DJs, iconic dance anthems and generations of clubbers for one of Malaysia’s biggest retro gatherings of the year.
“THE BIG JAM 2.0” is a tribute to the music, personalities and legendary venues that defined Malaysia’s nightlife throughout the 1980s and 1990s.
From disco and funk to new wave, pop and classic dance anthems, the celebration honours an era when DJs became cultural icons, dance floors became meeting places, and music created memories that continue to live on today.
Hosted by Phat Fabes, the familiar voice of The LITE Drive, Club Roots has evolved from a nostalgic radio segment into a thriving lifestyle community, reconnecting generations of music lovers through live events that celebrate the golden age of club culture.
Soraya Kee, Brand Manager of LITE FM, said:
“LITE FM celebrates all-time favourites, with a focus on the iconic decades of the 80s and 90s. Club Roots began as a way to champion one crucial aspect of that era – the nightlife – and has grown into a party series that transcends generations.
Over the past two years as Club Roots has brought together partygoers and music lovers across the country, it’s been heartening to see the community building around it. LITE listeners and Club Roots fans are thrilled that the parties bring the 80s and 90s back to life. This aligns completely with LITE’s goals to engage with audiences beyond the airwaves – creating experiences that immerse them in the music they love.
This anniversary is our way of thanking everyone who has supported Club Roots along the way – the team we’ve worked with to make the parties happen, the fans, the listeners and most importantly, the trailblazing DJs of the 80s and 90s who have paved the way for so many others.”
Since its official launch on 3 August 2024 at Visuals PJ, followed by its inaugural party on 7 September 2024 at X9, Club Roots has continued to grow into one of Malaysia’s most recognised retro entertainment brands, in line with LITE FM’s endeavours to champion the 80s and 90s.
Phat Fabes, Host of The LITE Drive, said:
“Music has always had a unique way of bringing people together. For many of us, these songs are more than just hits, they are the soundtrack to unforgettable nights, lifelong friendships and moments we will never forget.
Every Club Roots event reminds us that great music has no age. Whether you lived through the golden era or you are discovering these classics for the first time, the dance floor welcomes everyone.
That is the spirit we will celebrate at The Big Jam 2.0.”
For its biggest celebration yet, Club Roots transforms the evening into an elegant experience inspired by the glamour of a 1930s Shanghai supper club.
Guests will make a grand entrance via a glamorous red carpet before stepping into an elegant venue inspired by the golden age of cabaret, complete with crystal chandeliers, luxurious décor and stylish seating. The evening will also feature a photo backdrop, interactive photo booth and 360-degree video experiences, alongside premium Western and authentic Thai cuisine. Adding to the excitement, guests can look forward to attractive prizes and exclusive table experiences throughout the night.
Adding to the excitement, invited celebrities, media personalities and familiar faces from Malaysia’s entertainment industry are expected to make special appearances throughout the evening. Keep your eyes open… you never know who you might meet on the red carpet.
One of the biggest highlights of the evening will be the reunion of eight legendary Malaysian DJs who once dominated the country’s nightclub scene during its golden era. Returning to the decks are Adrian G. (Iguana, Kuala Lumpur), Alfred Low (Stardust, Malacca), Damian (Party Box, Ipoh), Phat Fabes (Tin Mine, Kuala Lumpur), Jazzie Jay (Rumours, Kuala Lumpur), JD (The Jump, Kuala Lumpur), Robert Mah (Branigan’s, Kuala Lumpur) and Sheela Haran (California, Malacca). Together, they will bring back the iconic sounds that defined Malaysia’s nightlife throughout the 1970s, 80s and 90s.
Guests are encouraged to embrace the nostalgic spirit of the evening by dressing in Red Carpet Glamour or Black Tie attire, adding to the elegance of this retro celebration.
The Big Jam 2.0 takes place at Bund & Barrel @ Pacific Towers, Petaling Jaya, on Saturday, 8 August 2026, from 6pm onwards. Admission is free, although table reservations are highly recommended due to limited seating, with minimum table spending applicable.
Building on the success of its inaugural edition, The Big Jam 2.0 continues Club Roots’ mission of celebrating Malaysia’s rich clubbing heritage, proving that timeless music and unforgettable memories never go out of style.
