bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

moreOnThisArticles

urlAlias

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

paywallTypes

corrections

sponsorType

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

socialHeadline

headline

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

publishedDate

additionalInfoBoxes

images

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

createdDate

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Phila Siu

Tony Cheung

Peace Chiu

Canto-pop king Leon Lai Ming’s long-awaited concert finally went ahead on Friday after an abrupt cancellation the day before.
Dozens of fans who waited anxiously outside the outdoor venue at the Central Harbourfront screamed in joy when their idol made the announcement on his Facebook page at around 4pm – just four hours before the concert was scheduled to begin.
Canto-pop king Leon Lai cancels Hong Kong concert at last minute due to fire safety concerns
“We have decided ... to dismantle the marquee. The concert will take place as scheduled,” he said in a video on his Facebook page.
The Canto-pop legend said he had decided to take away the marquee because that was what failed to meet fire safety standards.
The show did not start until way past the scheduled start time as fans were continuing to stream into the venue until about 9.30pm.
Shortly after, Lai gave a speech thanking fans for their support. He kicked off the show with a ­Putonghua classic.
The concert finally ended at around 11.20pm, with Lai saying the gig had to end because of noise control regulations.
A fan said she enjoyed the concert and its 4D elements including a “snow” effect and cold wind during one of the songs.
Another fan enjoyed the special lighting effects, but lamented that it would have been better if the marquee was in place, while another said she was disappointed that the concert lasted less than two hours, although she still enjoyed watching her idol.
Outside the venue, there were at least 300 fans, some shouting their idol’s name as a sign of support, while others sang along to his best known songs.
“Despite not being able to get tickets for the concert, I’m enjoying it from outside the venue. It’s a really unique experience listening to a concert this way” said one Lai fan.
The 5 biggest hits of Leon Lai Ming, Canto-pop ‘heavenly king’ who’s back on stage
Fans who bought tickets to his cancelled show on Thursday can either get a refund or go to a make-up session on May 4.
But some fans, many from the mainland, said they could not make it to the extra session because they could not afford to stay in Hong Kong for a few more days.
Others from the mainland said that as much as they wanted to go to the May 4 concert, they would not be able to apply and receive another permit to return to Hong Kong in time after going home.
But no one blamed the Canto-pop idol they have admired for all these years.
“I don’t know what to do. But I am his loyal fan and so I won’t blame him. He did his best,” a visitor from Foshansaid.

Some fans who bought tickets to the cancelled show asked concert staff if they could go to yesterday’s concert so they did not have to wait until next Wednesday. The requests were rejected.
“I don’t want a refund. I just want to go to the concert,” a mainland visitor argued with staff. Tears rolled down her face after her request was turned down.
At around 7.30pm .on Friday, the Fire Services Department granted approval for the concert to go ahead. The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department issued a licence at about 8pm.
The Environmental Protection Department said the event organiser had conducted noise tests for a rehearsal and undertaken to ensure sound levels would be within limits.
On Thursday, just two hours before Lai’s 8pm concert was set to begin, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department ­announced that it had refused to issue a temporary permit because the event organisers had failed to meet fire safety standards.
Lai, 49, apologised in a video on his Facebook page. He ­explained that the fireproof ­material for the marquee which would house the show did not meet British safety standards.
The singer had originally planned eight nights of concerts at the outdoor venue, which can ­accommodate 4,500 people. ­Tickets cost HK$980 to HK$2,980.
The Fire Services Department noticed the problems with the marquee last month and subsequently informed the organisers. But they were unable to resolve the problem in time and so Thursday’s concert was ­cancelled.


Playing at Coachella 2025, EDM collective Indo Warehouse spotlight South Asian culture

Vendor denies ticket sale glitch for NJZ’s show at ComplexCon Hong Kong

ComplexCon Hong Kong in March to feature K-pop girl group NJZ, formerly NewJeans

NJZ, formerly NewJeans, are coming to ComplexCon Hong Kong

Hong Kong gigs

Hong Kong Canto-pop king Leon Lai finally wows the crowds, although some had to listen outside the venue

Fans queue up for the Leon Lai show that finally took place. Photo: SCMP Pictures

workers removal marquee of Leon Lai Ming's concert arena at the Central new Harbour front in Central. 29APR16 SCMP/Dickson Lee

Will show go on? Anxious fans await 4pm update from Canto-pop king Leon Lai 

The Canto-pop idol was at the scene with a hand-held megaphone to announce the concert was cancelled and apologised for his team not meeting safety standards. Photo: Robert Ng

Singer Leon Lai Ming's fans hold the tickets protest outside Arena at the Central new Harbour front in Central after Leon Lai Ming concerts cancel. 28APR16 SCMP/K. Y. Cheng

The 5 biggest hits of Leon Lai-ming, Canto-pop ‘heavenly king’ who’s back on stage 

<p>The humble Hong Kong phone salesman turned singing star hasn’t looked back since the release of his debut album in 1990. We recall Lai’s biggest hits ahead of his concert series this month </p>

Leon Lai Ming takes part in the 5th New Talent Singing Awards contest in 1986 which launched his showbusiness career. Photo: SCMP

Leon Lai’s 5 best film roles, from Fallen Angels to Forever Enthralled

Maggie Cheung (left) and Leon Lai-ming star in Comrades: Almost a Love Story. Photo: Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc

This handout image, taken on May 18, 2007, shows Hong Kong actor/singer Leon Lai Ming. 29NOV08 [FEATURES LIFE]

News

Hong Kong

Education

Some mainland Chinese fans with tickets for Thursday’s cancelled concert were disappointed that they could not get in on Friday; those with tickets for Thursday will be able to attend a show on May 4
