Poparazzi

THERE’S no better way to say this – or maybe there is, but I just can’t think of them – so I’m going to just go ahead and say I’ve just had one of the best concert performances this year. Yup, thanks to the good folk at Unusual Entertainment, your Abang here was lucky enough to go watch Amit astound a sold out crowd at the Singapore Indoor Stadium last night.

I know people thought that a gig so soon after her F1 Rocks performance in September, a mere four months ago, wasn’t a good idea. Well, they were silly – and wrong.

I could go on gushing about what a fantastic show it was, despite it being three hours long, but I won’t, because really, words can’t come close to that music epiphany. So I’ll just give you the highlights.

AN AMIT CONCERT IS NOT AN A*MEI CONCERT. Even though it’s done by the same person. Really. That’s what she reminded us all night. What’s different? Well, while an A*mei concert is a great exercise in showmanship; an Amit concert just simply ROCKS! There’s the slick production value, but it’s just dirty and nasty at the same time. This wasn’t just an Amit concert, this was an Amit rock concert.

NO, REALLY, IT’S A ROCK CONCERT. Even her most perky of pop numbers like OK, Three Days And Three Nights, Fire, Because Of Me and Falling were turned into hard-hitting rockers.

AMIT LOOKS… BIGGER. Speaking of dirty and nasty, her leather corset/jacket over her leopard prings dress left little to the imagination, causing someone to remark, “Did she get a boob job?” “No, push-up bra,” came the reply.

AMIT’S VOICE. An angel’s voice singing devilish hell all night. And just to prove that she could, she tackled a snippet of that famous operatic aria, Nessum Dorma – in full flight soprano. The last time we heard a range like that – live, without in-studio trickery – was probably Faye Wong. Speaking of Faye, Amit did a blistering version of the former’s Oncoming Love, with a blinding guitar solo by…

…MARTY FRIEDMAN. Yes, you read right. (If you don’t know who he is, just ask your muso friends – any rocker worth their salt will be able to tell you.) Although we weren’t sure at first. “That guitarist looks a lot like Marty Friedman,” said a fellow journo when the concert started. Then right at the end, Amit gave him a shout out: “On guitar… Mardddddddyyyyy!” But what’s he doing with Amit? The last time we checked the dude who used to kick out the jams with Megadeth was having a fun time in Japan, even starring in Japanese movies. And now he’s firing up the frets with one of Taiwan’s best singers. Yup, you said it – a step up fer sure! (Haha)

IT MIGHT GET LOUD. With Marty in her corner, why wouldn’t it? The decibels were cranked up as the show went along – and we’re pretty sure his guitar can go up to 11 – but in a good way, not like what happened with Maroon 5.

And so we left – a little tired but fired up at the same time. As the Grateful Dead might have said, what a strange long trip it was. This won’t easily be forgotten – heck, it’s 24 hours later and the ringing is still in my ears. CHECK BACK HERE FOR MORE PICS AND MEDIA.

(Thanks to Unusual Entertainment, Rich Host Productions for the photos and other media.)

Tags: A*mei, Amit, concert, F1 Rocks, Faye Wong, Maroon 5, Marty Friedman, Singapore Indoor Stadium, Unusual Entertainment

WHOOP whoop, A*mei fans!

Here’s the deal: According to organiser UnUsUal Entertainment, response for the upcoming concert by Taiwanese pop diva Chang Huimei, aka A*mei, aka Amit, has been so overwhelming that they’ve had to open another show on Jan 29, 2010, so that all her fans will get a chance to see the concert at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

Incidentally, the concert tour is dubbed Amit Live First World Tour after her latest album, which in turn was named after her Taiwanese aboriginal name, Gulilai Amit. But if her segment at F1 Rocks was anything to go by, then it doesn’t matter by what name you call her, the show will still rock.

Tickets from $88 to $168 are available at Sistic outlets. Hurry, hurry! Don’t say we didn’t tell you!

Tags: A*mei, Amit, Chang Huimei, F1 Rocks, Gulilai, Singapore Indoor Stadium, Sistic, world tour

William So (left) and Ronald Cheng pump it up

After the hoopla and hullabaloo that was the F1 Rocks and Singapore GP concerts last weekend comes this gem of a double-bill show.

I was expecting more of the same – Chinese concerts sometimes tend to follow a similar run-down – but Ronald Cheng and William So put up a show that pleasantly surprised all who were there, in my humble opinion.

After witnessing the glitz and glam presented by A*mei, Da Mouth and Jacky Cheung a week earlier, I guess it’s nice to have a concert where it wasn’t about the backup dancers, the pyrotechnics or zany over-the-top costumes – although William’s glitzy outfit and Ronald’s gold lamee at one point came close (see above).

No, it was about two guys and the songs they were singing.  And more importantly, the fans who occupied almost every seat in the house loved it.

Now, I’ll admit that I’m not a big fan of William So or Ronald Cheng – I don’t even sing their songs in karaoke - but I’d like to think I know an enjoyable show when I see one. 

This was a refreshing change, to be sure, and one which probably made the trek out to the Max Pavilion at Singapore Expo – possibly my least favourite of concert venues simply because I don’t drive, it’s so darn far from where I live, and I have to spend at least $50 each time I go there – quite worthwhile.  

(pictures courtesy Unusual Entertainment)

Tags: Abang of the Airwaves, Christopher Toh, double-bill, F1 Rocks, karaoke, Max Pavilion, Ronald Cheng, Singapore, Singapore Expo, Unusual Entertainment, William So

HI LINDSAY, I know you probably think the people of Singapore aren’t too friendly, judging by the way they we were treated at Fort Canning Park. But really, we’re not all like that. (I mean, it was a Caucasian man spitting those Hokkien expletives, not us don’t-rock-the-boat Singaporeans, okay?)

But hey, you had an all expenses paid trip halfway across the world and all the perks, even though you haven’t done anything really brilliant since Herbie: Fully Loaded. They’re just jealous because they can’t get the same. And hey, one’s genius is almost always not recognised by others.

So here, just to spite LiLo naysayers, is a post chock-a-blog with LiLo photos.

Acting technique 1: The “lion face”

Acting technique 2: The “lemon face”

And just to help tide you on your trip home,  here is our playlist of the Top 10 Songs For Lindsay Lohan.

•  10. Tie A Yellow Ribbon ‘Round The Ole Oak Tree by Tony Orlando
• 9. Second Chance by Shinedown
• 8. Don’t Worry, Be Happy by Bobby McFerrin
• 7. Don’t Worry Baby by The Beach Boys
• 6. Second Chance by 38 Special
• 5. It’s Not Over by Daughtry
• 4. Handle With Care by The Traveling Wilburys
• 3. Free Your Mind by En Vogue
• 2. Second Chance by Liam Finn
• 1. Freedom ’90 by George Michael

(Funny, it sounds like Ris Low’s playlist – Editor)

(pictures by Andrew Timms – courtesy F1 Rocks Singapore; and the Abang)

Tags: 38 Special, Abang of the Airwaves, Bobby McFerrin, Caucasian, Christopher Toh, Daughtry, En Vogue, F1 Rocks, Fort Canning Park, George Michael, Herbie: Fully Loaded, Liam Finn, LiLo, Lindsay Lohan, playlist, Ris Low, Shinedown, Singapore, The Beach Boys, The Traveling Wilburys, Tony Orlando, Top 10 Songs

LIKE any event, F1 Rocks Singapore with LG had its fair share of highs and lows. As Charles Dickens might say, it was the best and worst of times. From inconsiderate fans to some searing shows, here then, are our awards for best and worst:

Best in show: A tie between A*mei, Gwen Stefani of No Doubt and Beyonce. A*mei’s fantastic vocals showed by she’s still considered to be one of Asia’s top singers.

Meanwhile, Gwen showed that with a lot of hard work – and cash, admittedly - you too, can have two children and still look like one hot mother. Her sizzling performance was definitely the highlight of night #2.

But if you wanted a scorching show, it was Beyonce’s closing set that did the trick. Despite being shorter than her usual shows, she still brought it on – with bootylicious moves, several striking costumes and a voice that was just above and beyond everything we’d heard previously. F1 Rocks? No, Beyonce – YOU rock.

Most fan appreciative moment: During Beyonce’s finale, Halo, she stood on the top of the stairs onstage and intoned: “Singapore, I am…” Crowd: “BEYONCE!”

She said it again: “Singapore, I am…” Crowd: “BEYONCE!!!!! (doesn’t she know who she is)???”

Then she said: “Singapore, I AM… YOURS!” AWWWWWWW! We love you, too, Beyonce!

The What-Were-You-Thinking award: Goes to Jacky Cheung, perhaps in a misguided effort to look “rock” for F1 Rocks, ended up wearing an outfit and a wig that looked like a reject from a cosplay party.

The I Am Robot award: The security guys, who were seriously either very blur or just confused. First, they kept repeating “move up/down, don’t block the stairs” to anyone and everyone, even to someone who asked them directions to the toilet. Then, they gave conflicting directions to VIP pass holders by telling them to go this way and that, making for one bunch of confused VIPs.

The Active Ageing award: Goes to ZZ Top (above) and Simple Minds (below), who showed that life really does begin after 40. (So does arthritis and hypertension, but that’s another story).

The Back To School award: To ex-F1 driver David Coulthard who mis-read 127.4 as “175″. Maybe that’s why he didn’t win as many races as he could.

Most Inconsiderate award: To smokers. Sorry, I know you need to puff and all, but come on, couldn’t you just hold off a bit, especially since people are already having to endure being thirsty in the sweltering heat and being crammed up against each other. We’re already sweaty and stinky, we don’t need the extra pollution, thanks. 

Best F&B advertising: Billy Gibbon’sGretsch guitar, which, when flipped over had the word “Beer” stenciled in gold.

The Forgiving Fashion Faux Pas award: The general rule has always been not to wear coloured underwear when wearing white, but if you looked like Gwen Stefani, we say “go ahead, make our day”. 

Best Sweat and Stinky moment: Gwen Stefani, inviting two fans to go up and towel her off.

Most Inconsiderate award #2: Those who didn’t know how to clean up after themselves, making Fort Canning Park look like Fort Canning waste dump.

Best animalistic name: DJ Havana Brown (a Havana Brown is a type of cat in Australia, much like a Kucinta here in Singapore).

The Keanu Reeves award: To Lindsay Lohan, whose wooden performance as host of the first F1 Rocks show (broadcast last night) can surely top anything by the “Cool Breeze that blows off the Pacific coastal mountains”.

Best Surprise: Beyonce, breaking out into Alanis Morisette’s You Oughta Know – complete with nasal twang.

Best Cleavage award: Beyonce. Hands down. And no, that’s not a colourful euphemism – that’s an order.

The Serene Award: Goes to this lady who could still sleep during Seb Fontaine’s rather loud DJ set.

Tags: A*mei, Abang of the Airwaves, Alanis Morisette, Alive And Kicking, awards, Beyonce, Black Eyed Peas, Christopher Toh, concert, Da Mouth, F1 Rocks, fan, fans, Fort Canning Park, Gwen Stefani, Halo, Havana Brown, Jacky Cheung, Just A Girl, Lindsay Lohan, No Doubt, rock, Seb Fontaine, set, show, Simple Minds, Singapore, Sodagreen, You Oughta Know, ZZ Top

*FOR SOME REASON, we are having technical difficulties with the videos. Or rather, I have no clue whether I pressed the wrong button or what, but nothing seems to have happened. We apologise for any inconvenience and hope to get the matter resolved soon. In the meantime, read the full interview on www.todayonline.com/plus *

And here’s a couple of pictures of the band (and one with me – because I’m an inglourious basterd showoff to boot!)

Thanks for your patience!

Tags: Abang of the Airwaves, chris, Christopher Toh, F1 Rocks, No Doubt, Singapore

Below is the exaggerated transcript of what happened at the Lindsay Lohan media cocktail.

1230hrs. The media cocktail for Lindsay Lohan starts. But first, the rules. 

The lovely Lindsay. pic: F1 Rocks Singapore With LG

• Rule #1. NO photography of Lindsay Lohan, the powers-that-be warn. If you do, her spirit will get absorbed into the camera and she will cease to exist and the media cocktail will be over, d’you hear? OVER. Only the official photographer and some dude from Associated Press can take pictures, otherwise the media cocktail will be over, d’you hear? OVER.
• Rule #2. See Rule #1.
• Rule #3. Only broadcast and official media (TV, radio, etc) can ask Lindsay Lohan a total of three questions. The rest of you lot can ask Lindsay questions when she mingles after that. IF that actually happens.

1245hrs. “Hi, sorry guys, Lindsay will be a little late.” That’s okay, we say, we’ll just start the cocktails without her. Oh, except there are no cocktails. Not even cold water to assuage our thirsting souls.

1255hrs. My bad. There is cold water, after all. But no food. Hungry. Haven’t eaten since 7am. Don’t they know hungry media makes angry media? Oh, wait. That’s just me, apparently. But now too faint to feel angry.

1300hrs. First “drama” moment of the day. A spotlight for the TV crew explodes people get impaled by the shards. Okay, the impalement didn’t happen, but that’s how bored I was – that an exploding light bulb was the highlight of my day so far.

1310hrs. Wait, what’’s that noise outside? Oh, it’s Jacky Cheung and A*mei rehearsing for their slot. Excuse me while I step out for a while.

Da Mouth, Jacky Cheung, A*mei and Sodagreen rehearsing Heal The World.

1320hrs. People start to grumble: How late can she be, we have other assignments you know, etc, etc, etc. Come on, she was Tweeting at 3am about having a fun time at Club McDonald’s. “Don’t hesitate, appreciate!” is what she wrote. Right on, Lindsay. But, er, where the heck is Club McDonald’s?

1330hrs. No, seriously, where IS Club McDonald’s?

1345hrs. Hello, KFC? I’d like to order a Hot Box, pop corn chicken, snackers and one root beer, no ice, please. Where? Fort Canning Park. Yes. At the building. You can’t miss it, it’s at the top of the hill. Hello? Hello? Heeelllo?

1346hrs. SHE’S HERE! Lindsay arrives, looking rather perky for someone out at Club McDonald’s at 3am. Unless, you know, she’s been having her Coca Cola. Hee hee! Oh, but nice shoes though. Alexander McQueen, we are told.

Nice shoes, where’d you buy them?

1348hrs.  The questioning starts. Of course, the music from the rehearsal outside is a little loud, so we can’t really hear what she’s saying. Something about being nervous because she hasn’t a clue what F1 is all about, but she’s going to do her best to learn as the day goes on.

1353hrs. Is it me, or does she look a little out of proportion. Maybe my not eating has affected my vision. Her arms look really thin, but dang, talk about being blessedly endowed.

1355hrs. For some reason, Lady Gaga’s Paparazzi gets stuck in my mind and I can’t get it out. Another journo turns to me and says, “For some reason, I’ve got Poker Face stuck in my mind.” OMG! Coincidence? I don’t think so.

1401hrs. Someone asks her about her movie role, which is rumoured to be “Paris Hilton with guns”.

“What do you mean by Paris Hilton with guns?” asks a befuddled Lindsay.

You know, Paris Hilton, like, a socialite… but carrying guns!

“Oh… Okay, you have one last question.”

That was never three questions just now!

Oh, snap!

1410hrs. The broadcast and official media segment ends. No mingling, time for Lindsay to go to her photo shoot.

“Hi Lindsay,” I ask. “Can I take a picture with you?”

“Sorry, I can’t! I have to go to a photo shoot now. But anyway, here’s my number, let me write it down for you. Call me later, we’ll have drinks. We’ll go to Club McDonald’s.”

Okay, so what if all that didn’t happen and I was probably hallucinating from lack of food? Somebody bring me a steak, my kingdom for a steak. Oh. I don’t have a kingdom…

Tags: A*mei, Abang of the Airwaves, Alexander McQueen, Christopher Toh, club, Coca Cola, cocktail, Da Mouth, F1 Rocks, Fort Canning Park, Jacky Cheung, KFC, Lady Gaga, LG, Lindsay Lohan, McDonald's, media, Paparazzi, Paris Hilton, Poker Face, radio, Singapore, Sodagreen, TV

If you’re Richard Branson, this is the view you’ll have of the largest outdoor stage in Singapore.

IF you think putting a show like F1 Rocks is as easy as pie, think again.

Heading into the final 48 hours, Paul Morrison and Becky Morgan, the CEO and COO of All The Worlds, respectively, let us see what it really takes to make F1 Rocks, well, rock.

The answer: Sweat, and loads of it. I’m not just talking about the sweltering heat. The logistics alone for the largest outdoor stage ever assembled in Singapore are staggering: Between 100 to 200 people working everyday, erecting a stage that’s 15m by 40m by 25m, installing 600 light units, about eight mixing desks, 250 sq m of high resolution LED screens, 70 speaker boxes, about 14.5 km of cables transferring six megawatts of power… and that’s just the stage area!  

(They even calculated that each worker walks about 10km a day just up and down the hill. Which, if you look at the bright side, is not a bad way to lose weight and build muscle – although I’m not signing up just yet…)

Paul Morrison and Becky Morgan in da house

At the top of the hill, another surprise: The Red Bull stage(below), built from cargo containers and decked out in the signature Red Bull colours, will also provide musical entertainment from the likes of Red Bull artiste Black Gold, DJ Ko Flow, MC Vijay Singh (no, not the golfer) and the UK’s Killa Kela.

The Red Bull stage

 And then there’s the VIP and artiste hospitality. No, no one’s asked for all the blue M&Ms to be removed from the candy bowl, or for all the olives to be pitted, but you never know. I heard that someone even asked for a goldfish in their dressing room – no telling who though, but with uber VIPs like Richard Branson, true blue-blood royalty and Beyonce popping down, anything is possible.

And after everything’s over, they have to tear everything down again. Say what you like, these people work hard for their money.

Chandeliers (above) and furniture specially brought in (below) for the VIPs and stars like Beyonce. No sign of goldfish yet though 

 

Paul with the cool vintage gramophone in the artiste’s green room

Tags: Abang of the Airwaves, All The Worlds, Becky Morgan, Beyonce, Black Gold, Christopher Toh, F1 Rocks, Killa Kela, Ko Flow, MC Vijay Singh, Paul Morrison, Red Bull, Richard Branson, rock, royalty

Meet the new host of F1 Rocks

IT’S confirmed, folks. Hollywood starlet and all-round paparazzi favourite-cum-wild child Lindsay Lohan will be gracing our shores as the host of F1 Rocks Singapore With LG, organisers said yesterday.

“We got a call… saying Lindsay Lohan was really keen to come to Singapore,” said Paul Morrison, CEO of All The Worlds, which is putting the event together. “She’s on the plane even as we speak. And she’s dead up for it! She can’t wait!”

Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger was originally set to host the show, but pulled out last week. According to Paul, other considerations for the position included Katy Perry, Victoria Beckham and “a number of the Spices”, before they finally landed Lindsay.

“We don’t know why she wants to come, we can’t really see the attraction – she must be a real F1 fan,” he joked.

Ooh, I have a reason: Interestingly, Lindsay’s gal pal Samantha Ronson will also be in town to spin at the Fuel Festival at Novus. What do you think? Nudge, nudge, wink, wink, say no more!

On a slightly more serious note, Paul said: “But we’re pretty excited because we’ve got a whole new dimension to the how. We’ve got a pretty famous movie star, who’s going to be coming in with a global reach, because that girl doesn’t do anything without the paparazzi knowing.

“I don’t know why that is either,” he deadpanned.

(Okay, maybe not so serious, then…)

Well, whatever it is, we say she’ll probably do a fine job of hosting the show, although it might not be such a good idea to let her get behind the wheel of the racecars, if you know what I mean!  Nudge, nudge, wink, wink, say no more!

 F1 Rocks Singapore With LG happens Sep 24 to 26. Tickets still available from Sistic.

Tags: All The Worlds, F1 Rocks, Fuel Festival, Hollywood, Katy Perry, Lindsay Lohan, Nicole Scherzinger, Paul Morrison, Pussycat Doll, Samantha Ronson, Victoria Beckham

One’s a Heavenly King, the other’s a newbie group.

But when we spoke over the blower to both Hong Kong singer Jacky Cheung and Taiwanese group Da Mouth are going to be performing at the inaugural F1 Rocks Singapore With LG concert on Thursday. And it’s something that both artistes said they’re really looking forward to.

The Heavenly King promises a “rock” show

“It’s a privilege to perform along with Jacky, A*mei and Sodagreen,” said the Taiwanese quartet. “We’re very excited to be here.”

“Excited” is also what Jacky is feeling, who added that he still feels jittery when he performs. “For my show on Sep 24, I have been singing two or three times a day since the beginning of the month,” he elaborated on the blower. “Then I won’t forget the songs when I get nervous.”

Those who attended Jacky’s last concert here in 2007 might want to know that he’s promising a different show.

“It will be a pure rock show this time. There will be some rock ballads; and some heavier stuff,” he said, adding that he was trying to cater to the F1 Rocks theme.

However, Jacky said he might give the actual race a miss. “I’m not really interested in it,” he said. “I don’t think I have the patience to watch the whole race of cars going round and round.”

Da Mouth can’t wait to rock out

However, the race is not the only thing that Da Mouth are interested in watching. “Beyonce! Black Eyed Peas! N.E.R.D!” they exclaimed when asked who they’d like to see.

“We love Pharrell Williams,” said the band. “And will.i.am of Black Eyed Peas is a great producer.

“Some people compare us with Black Eyed Peas, but I think that we’re only similar in that there’s three guys and one girl. Our style of music and all that are really different. “Will we get him to produce an album with us? Hmm. Only if he asks us – and even then we’ll probably have to think about it if he asks us! Ha ha!”

Riiiight, guys. LMAO and all that. Well, you’ll certainly have more than enough opportunity to bend their ears when they’re here, so as ex-F1 driver Alain Prost used to say, “If you see an opportuneetee, take eet!”

Both Da Mouth and Jacky Cheung perform Sep 24, from 7pm at Fort Canning Park. Doors open 5pm. Tickets from $175 still available from Sistic.

Tags: Abang of the Airwaves, Beyonce, Black Eyed Peas, Christopher Toh, Da Mouth, F1 Rocks, Jacky Cheung, N.E.R.D., rock