Hot to pop
The city is playing host to some of the hottest names from around the region this summer, writes Rachel Mok
This summer promises a season of non-stop live music. While international acts including The xx, The Smashing Pumpkins and Suzanne Vega are storming the city, there is equal excitement on the Asian front.
The most sought-after ticket is no doubt “Eason’s Life”, Eason Chan Yikshun’s latest live series after his acclaimed 2½ years of “Duo” touring. He will perform 25 shows from July 6 to August 2 at the Hong Kong Coliseum. But be warned: the king of Canto-pop says there will be no encores, no special guests and no talking during the performance.
Sadly, there is one more “no” – no tickets (despite an extended run). Take a look at how many seats are blocked by organisers and sponsors and you will understand just how precious an Eason Chan ticket is.
Canto-pop queen Kay Tse On-kei will appear with the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra in The Moon Is Like My Heart on July 26 and 28, a tribute to the legendary songbird Teresa Teng Li-chun. Given the orchestra’s track record in collaborating with popular artists, including Anthony Wong Yiu-ming and Jonathan Wong Cheehynn, the concert will not only be a stroll down memory lane but also a way to lure a younger audience into the more traditional Chinese music scene.
Ellen Joyce Loo – whose career as a singer-songwriter has taken off since parting with electrofolk and Canto-pop group at17 – will stage her first arena concert “V” (for valour, venture and victory) on August 23 at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium. Together with The Ripples Band, consisting of Chochukmo guitarist Mike Orange and renowned drummer Stephane S.Wong, the audience can expect a night of Loo’s original tracks and covers with new arrangements.
Record label PolyGram was part of the golden era of Canto-pop with artists such as Jacky Cheung Hok-yau, Leon Lai Ming and Tat Ming Pair in its stable. The label is set for a comeback, having signed songbird Priscilla Chan Wai-han for a three-year deal. The all-star line-up of “PolyGram Forever Live Concert”, on August 28 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, includes Chan, Alan Tam Wing-lun, Hacken Lee Hak-kan and Shirley Kwan Suk-yee, and should invoke many happy memories of the era.
For Mando-pop, the first Spring Wave festival will be at the West Kowloon Cultural District on July 27.