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Noah (band)

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Noah is a highly influential Indonesian alternative pop/rock band.

Noah2016
Noah2016

They are recognized as one of the most successful musical groups in the history of Indonesia. Most of the band's lyrical content is composed by Ariel, who serves as the lead vocalist. The group's journey began in Bandung, West Java, in the year 2000. Originally, the band performed under the name Peterpan. Since its inception, the group has navigated various membership changes and name transitions. Today, the band is on hiatus following a period that began on New Year's Day in 2024.

The band's origins can be traced back to 1997 with a school group called Topi. Formed by keyboardist Andika, Topi included members Abel, Ari, and Lukman. Lukman eventually invited his friend Ariel to become the vocalist due to his unique voice. Ariel then suggested his friend Uki join as a guitarist. After Topi disbanded, Andika regrouped several former members to form Peterpan on September 1, 2000. Interestingly, the name Peterpan did not come from the famous literary character. Instead, Ariel noted the name was inspired by a rabbit satay stall in Puncak, Bogor.

Peterpan2008-1
Peterpan2008-1

Peterpan's rise to stardom followed a specific sequence of musical milestones. They began by performing covers of alternative rock bands like Nirvana and Coldplay in local cafés. Their first major breakthrough occurred in 2002 with the song "Mimpi yang Sempurna." This track was featured on the compilation album Kisah 2002 Malam and sold 150,000 copies. This success led to a contract with Musica Studio's and their debut studio album, Taman Langit, in 2003. This debut was a massive success, selling over 650,000 copies and earning a Multi-Platinum Award.

The band reached a massive peak with their second studio album, Bintang di Surga, released in 2004. This album became a cultural phenomenon across Indonesia and neighboring countries like Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei. In Malaysia, the album was awarded 6× platinum status. By the end of 2005, the album had sold 2.7 million copies, eventually surpassing 3.2 million sales in Indonesia. During this era, the band also achieved a significant feat known as the "Konser Breaking Record." They performed concerts in six different cities across Sumatra and Java within a single 24-hour period. This achievement earned them a recognition from the Indonesian World Records Museum (MURI).

Membership changes significantly shaped the band's evolution over the decades. In 2006, keyboardist Andika and bassist Indra left the group due to musical differences. Following their departure, keyboardist David joined the band in 2006 and became a permanent member after two years. The group released their third album as Peterpan, Hari yang Cerah, in 2007. In 2009, the band decided to change their name. This transition was delayed until 2012 because of the arrest of vocalist Ariel. Upon his release, the band officially debuted under the new name, Noah.

ArielDanLukman
ArielDanLukman

As Noah, the band experienced a massive resurgence in popularity. Their first album under the new name, Seperti Seharusnya, sold over one million copies in Indonesia. This album also earned them their second AMI Award for Best of the Best Album. The group continued to see success with the album Keterkaitan Keterikatan, which also won a Best of the Best Album award. However, the lineup continued to shift as drummer Reza departed in 2015 and rhythm guitarist Uki left in 2019. Despite these changes, the band's commercial impact remained enormous. By 2020, Noah had sold more than 9 million albums within Indonesia.

The band's legacy is cemented by their presence on various historical music lists. Three of their albums are among the best-selling in Indonesian history. Bintang di Surga holds the #4 spot, Seperti Seharusnya is at #5, and the Alexandria soundtrack is at #15. Their work has also earned international recognition, including two MTV Asia Awards and a Best Contribution Award at the 2007 Asia Song Festival. Noah is widely regarded as the best-selling alternative pop/rock band in the country. Their ability to maintain popularity through name changes and lineup shifts marks them as a central pillar of Indonesian popular music.

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