Poparazzi

Heya people. This is not Phin (just needed his log-in ID), and this is not the Abang (he’s flirting with the dancers of Chicago in Australia). This is the Abang’s little helper Kat here with a review (kinda sorta) of the Backstreet Boys gig at Suntec City Convention Centre last Sunday.

Cue screaming fans.

The venue might have been the size of two exhibition halls, but the Boys didn’t have any problem filling it. The full house proved that, even after 17 years together (that’s, like, 119 in boyband years), BSB still has the ability to draw a crowd.

Unlike other concerts where a long wait is a sure thing, Nick, Brian, Howie and AJ launched into the show not long after the scheduled time. Kicking off with Everybody (Backstreet’s Back), the boys moved and grooved as if not a day had passed since 1993 (AJ’s waistline is another thing altogether). 

After a couple more upbeat numbers, including the raunchy PDA, BSB switched to more mellow crowd-pleasers such as Quit Playing Games (With My Heart) and As Long As You Love Me. Sing-a-long time! By cutting a few songs down to as short as a little over a minute, the boys were able to fit more than 20 tunes into a 90-minute long show, much to the fans’ delight. Everybody loves a good deal.

That’s not to say that they didn’t stop to take a breather, however. Every five tracks or so, the boys disappeared offstage, while viewers were shown short clips of the guys spoofing well-known movies. They were pros at entertaining an audience, regularly asking if the crowd was having a good time, name-dropping ”Singapore!” in the middle of songs at every possible opportunity. All this, of course, was met with more crazed screams from an audience who had already jumped to their feet from the very first note.

The enthusiasm of the crowd – “the best fans in the world,” according to Brian – was infectious. I even warbled along at the top of my voice to the encore, I Want It That Way. Which, by the by, was my personal anthem when I was eight, but let’s not go there.

So what did the other attendees think? Said Douglas, an 18-year-old student and avid BSB fan: “It was awesome!”

Tags: As Long As You Love Me, Backstreet Boys, BSB, Everybody (Backstreet’s Back), I Want It That Way, Poparazzi, Quit Playing Games (With My Heart), Singapore, Suntec City Convention Centre

MY FRIEND will be in a bit of a tizzy this weekend, because the Anime Festival Asia 09 (AFA09) is in town. I’m not as big an anime fan as she is, but I’m also pretty psyched up because four of Japan’s hot music makers will in town for that event too.

Maid in Japan: The AFA09 brings the best of anime to our shores… and these chicks too (not that I’m complaining!)

As any anime fan will tell you, anime isn’t just about the story, the effects or even the animation. It’s also about those cool theme songs and music you hear in the background. I remember watching Vision Of Escaflowne and Lain and being blown away by their theme songs. (Yeah, the story was nice too, but I could not miss the opening credits.)

May’n: She’s hot – hence the lack of clothing

So you can see why I’m a bit stoked about having Yoshiki Fukuyama, celeb blogger/singer Shoko Nakagawa, May’n and the “big bro yo” of anime songs, Ichirou Mizuki trooping into town for the I Love Anisong concert during the festival. (Of course, it also helps that Shoko’s purty darn cute, and May’n is a babe.)

Oh, and to put the icing on the cake, “Virtual Idol” Hatsune Miku will also be making her formal international debut at AFA09.

For those who still don’t know, Hatsune Miku is a popular “vocaloid”, a virtual “person” generated from music software that can be tuned to create J-pop anime songs. Not surprisingly, Hatsune Miku is a big hit in Japan – and even performed “live” to 25,000 at Animelo Summer Live.

Anime music veteran Ichirou Muzuki

On Saturday, Nov 21, Hatsune Miku, Shoko Nakagawa and Ichirou Mizuki will perform, with Hatsune using the Vocaloid 2 programme. Organisers have also planned a “surprise”. Only one way to find out what it is.

Shoko Nakagawa will also be having an autograph session at 3.30pm at the Suntec City Convention Center halls 403 and 404 hall.

The very chio Shoko Nakagawa

On Sunday, Yoshiki Fukuyama and May’n will take the stage, with the latter featuring brand new songs from her upcoming album and the latest Macross Frontiermovie. Despite his busy schedule, we managed to get Fukuyama-san to answer a few questions.

Firing up the fretboard: Yoshiki Fukuyama

Why do you like anime?

I like animation because I saw it when I was young.

Which anime do you like?

I like Heidi, although if I had to choose among recent anime, I like Gintamal and Sgt. Frog.

Do you find that the theme songs for anime are sometimes bigger hits than the anime itself? Is that a concern of yours?

I don’t think so.

What do you think the most challenging thing is about singing animation songs?

Nothing.

And there you have it folks, the only person who talks less than Mando-pop singer Jam Hsiao.

The I Love Anisong two-day passes ($188) are selling out, the $108 single day tickets are still available. I Love Anisong ticket prices include entry into the main AFA09. Tickets available from Sistic.

General entry passes to AFA09 priced at $25 (2-day pass) and $15 (one day). Student concession available, children below 12 years, free. Available at the door. For more info, visit www.afa09.com.

Tags: Abang of the Airwaves, AFA09, anime, Anime Festival Asia, Animelo Summer Live, Christopher Toh, Hatsune Miku, I Love Anisong, Ichirou Mizuki, Jam Hsiao, Macross Frontier, Mandopop, May’n, Shoko Nakagawa, Suntec City Convention Centre, Yoshiki Fukuyama