The clash of dates between a major rock music festival and Bersih 5 on Nov 19 can only mean that many people, particularly urban youths, will be caught between a rock and a hard place.

Although festival organisers had suggested that the protest date be changed, Bersih has decided to proceed as planned, believing that the turnout for the rally for the people’s rights would not be affected.

Bersih chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah confirmed that both sides had met to discuss the matter.

"We are of the agreement that both can happen simultaneously as our venues are far apart. It won't affect the turnouts," Maria told Malaysiakini.

The rock festival is the Rockaway 2016, organised by Livescape Group. The event was billed as the largest rock festival in the country ever, featuring an impressive line-up of established local and international acts.

It will take place at the Extreme Park in Bukit Jalil, some 15km south of Dataran Merdeka, where Bersih 5 is supposed to take place.

For rock fans, this star-studded event may be one that should not be missed.

International bands such as Third Eye Blind, Taking Back Sunday and The Get Up Kids will be playing while a number of famous local acts such as Alleycats and Zainal Abidin will sharing the stage as well.

Making a comeback

The festival will be headlined by arguably Malaysia's most iconic Malay rock band, Butterfingers, which is making a comeback eight years after its last album, 'Kembali', for the band's 20th anniversary.

Recently, some fans already declared their position on social media: The music festival takes priority over Bersih.

Twitter user @fariddbambil for example, summed it up for many ticket holders.

"(Rockaway) is on the same date as Bersih 5. I am going to have to sacrifice my principles and struggles temporarily for Butterfingers," wrote @fariddbambil.

Similarly, @comradenami wrote: "Bersih and Rockaway on the same day? Sorry lah, Lyme and Butterfingers are more attractive".

Even human rights lawyer Syahredzan Johan has joined the bandwagon by posting this on his Twitter account: "Butterfingers > Bersih".

Livescape group marketing head Jason Kong Chee Wei said discussions with Bersih were held on Oct 24. His company's position was that the rally should either be postponed or held earlier.

This was to avoid a clash with the festival which will begin late in the afternoon, Kong said.

"We are expecting approximately 10,000 fans at Rockaway on Nov 19, given the line-up that we've put together this year - the largest rock festival line-up Malaysia has ever seen.

"I don't think it will affect much on our end, at least in terms of turnout, as Rockaway is a ticketed event, which means fans heading to Rockaway would have already purchased their tickets," he said.

Kong revealed that Livescape Group gave way to the Bersih 4 rally last year, but the same could not be done this time round.

"We have done so in the past when we organised the Electric Run last year, which coincided with Bersih 4.

"However, for Rockaway, as it involves quite a number of international artistes who are only available to perform in Malaysia on those dates, moving the festival date is unfortunately not an option for us," Kong said.