‘BARDO’ Is a Rock Funeral That Explores Death & Rebirth

By Danial Martinus • 20 May 2026 in Events

Thirsty for JUICE content? Quench your cravings on our Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and WhatsApp

Have you ever thought about death and what happens in the in-between? You might have heard of the Buddhist concept of “bardo”, which refers to the intermediate state between death and the next life; a limbo of sorts.

Immersive music-theatre ritual BARDO will be making its KL debut at KongsiKL from 29 to 31 May 2026, bringing with it a deep and gritty exploration into death, release, and rebirth, presented by The Razors Experimental Theatre and 䰱 LING.

An intense blend of music, theatre, and ritual

BARDO isn’t your typical theatre production or music gig. Far from it.

It’s an amalgamation of live rock music, physical performance, ritual movement, fire, and traditional paper effigy craft, which the production uses to create an immersive funeral-like experience.

Laid out across seven chapters, BARDO features a seven-member live band as well as two theatre performers who embody “the body” and “the consciousness.” Throughout this journey, the consciousness leaves its body, going through the many phases of this in-between state: confusion, memory, karmic reflection, fear, struggle, judgement, and finally, ritual burning.

Of course, this experience wouldn’t be what it is without its dark and atmospheric sound, which 䰱 LING provides in spades. But make no mistake, their music acts as more than background noise. It’s integral to the entire production.

Vocalist Teoh Siang Kok will also play as a ritual figure, delivering “scriptures” through raw, rock-inflected vocals. Though you might be inclined to associate these chants with a particular religion, it’s important to note that they don’t belong to any known language or religious text. Said “scriptures” take on their own spritual vocab.

Music director, drummer, and traditional paper effigy artisan Samm Koh will have his striking paper effigy works on display, featuring Da Shi Ye, Black and White Impermanence deities, the Judge of the Underworld, and the Earth God, which is quite a rare sight on a contemporary theatre stage.

Due to the nature of this production, it’s safe to say that anyone with pyrophobia should probably think long and hard before choosing to attend. Fire plays a major role in BARDO, with the act of burning becoming both a ritual action and theatrical language.

BARDO primarily focuses on death and the afterlife, but the beautiful irony in all of this is the fact that its message is meant to be seen, heard, and felt by the living.

Check out the event details below:

Title: BARDO / 《中阴身》
Presented by: The Razors Experimental Theatre x 䰱 LING
Dates: 29 May 2026, Friday / 30 May 2026, Saturday / 31 May 2026, Sunday
Time: Doors open 8:00 p.m. / Ritual begins 8:30 p.m.
Venue: KongsiKL, Old Klang Road, Kuala Lumpur
Tickets: Early Bird / Presale RM80, Door Sale RM100