SINGAPORE – British outfit Coldplay are one of those bands that can somehow put on blockbuster shows with all the bells and whistles of an arena concert while still retaining an everyman appeal.

The first of their two-night engagement at the National Stadium on Friday(Mar 31) was visually spectacular, with a celebratory atmosphere rivalling that of a National Day Parade show.

The venue turned into a kaleidoscopic forest of lights throughout most of the two-hour-long show; occasional confetti showers, pyrotechnics and the release of multi-coloured balloons into the audience enhanced its carnival feel.

Coldplay put on a carnival-like, kaleidoscopic show at National StadiumColdplay put on a carnival-like, kaleidoscopic show at National StadiumColdplay put on a carnival-like, kaleidoscopic show at National Stadium

Making the show even more NDP-like, each member of the 50,000-strong audience was given an LED wristband that automatically lit up in time to the music, making everyone a part of the spectacle instead of being mere spectators.

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2017-04-01 12:48:00

Photo Gallery

Coldplay in Singapore

Source:

The Straits Times

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By filling the setlist with hits, ranging from early songs such as Yellow (2000), Hymn For The Weekend from latest album A Head Full of Dreams (2015) as well as new single Something Just Like This (2017), the band also gave their fans a chance to sing along with gusto.

If anyone wanted proof that Coldplay tunes are middle-of-the-road, strive for positivity and inclusivity, are never offensive and have extremely broad appeal, he needed only to look at the crowd.

It was a wide demographic: There were many parents turning up with teenage children, and equal numbers of men and women, locals and expatriates.

Coldplay’s songs are not for fans who want their bands to be edgy or be insufferably cool, certainly not with frontman Chris Martin’s frequently goofy dances, unbridled enthusiasm and wide-eyed sense of wonder.

Songs such as Fix You (2005) offer encouragement in the face of trouble, Yellow is a paean to love and devotion – these are the types of tunes that many can easily relate to.

The band did not even start the concert fashionably late like many other rock stars have done here – they came on exactly on time at 8pm, after Australian singer-songwriter Jess Kent warmed up the audience with opening brief opening set that began at 7pm.

The concert, the band’s fourth time playing in Singapore, was their largest here to date. With another 50,000 expected at the second show on April 1, the Grammy- and Brit Award-winning band’s performances here are some of the biggest rock shows by a single act held here.

Read also: She’s in paradise after Coldplay reposts her photo​

To get closer to fans who were fans located farther from the main stage, Coldplay performed several songs at two smaller stages – a circular one at the end of the long runway and another situated at the opposite end of the main stage.

An extremely sprightly Martin ran tirelessly up and down the long runway when he was not sitting at the piano or strumming on a acoustic guitar.

The other members of the band – guitarist Jonny Buckland, bassist Guy Berryman and drummer Will Champion – supported him with solid musicianship.

While previous large-scale concerts held at the same venue had fans complaining about muddy sound, Coldplay’s audio mix was pretty decent, if not quite the quality of Esplanade Concert Hall.

The only time the sound was sub-par was during opening song A Head Full Of Dreams (2015), when you could barely make out what Martin was singing due to the muffled mix, but this was quickly rectified by second song, Yellow.

Like in their other stops in the tours, the band played a rarely played song chosen by a local fan, in this case Til Kingdom Come, a hidden track in 2005 album X&Y.

Coldplay put on a carnival-like, kaleidoscopic show at National Stadium

“No YouTube, let’s maintain the illusion of professionalism,” Martin said self-deprecatingly after the band botched up the middle part of the song and had to start it again.

It was an almost perfect illustration of how Coldplay are rock stars who are also everyman.

Read also: Coldplay shows appreciation for Singapore with made-up song

dinohadi@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on Apr 1, 2017.
Get a copy of The Straits Times or go to straitstimes.com for more stories.

PETALING JAYA – Writer, food cri­tic, publisher, radio and TV personality Fay Khoo (pic) has died at a hospital in Kuala Lumpur.

The Sydney-based 48-year-old was back in Malaysia for a family visit and work when she was reportedly taken ill. She died after a short battle with lung cancer, according to friends.

Khoo was a freelance writer who contributed to several magazines and newspapers, including The Star.

The Penangite’s first foray into publishing was in 1997 when she came out with a food guide of her hometown. She also appeared on Discovery Asia’s Food on Penang.

She recently published Grow, Cook & Eat with food stylist CY Phang who spoke to Khoo before her untimely passing on Saturday.

“She thanked me for visiting her.

“Her speech was slurred, but I remember what she said clearly because she thanked me twice,” said a distraught Phang, 44.

Khoo was also the founder of Rhino Press, a publishing house that features emerging Malaysian writers. Rhino Press’ successful non-fiction endeavours include the Asian Parenting Today guides and the popular Best Eats titles.

The foodie was known for her commitment to educate people, particularly children, about environmental issues.

She worked with her celebrity friend Asha Gill to launch the Eco Kids-scripted stories series to help kids understand their impact on the environment.

“Fay was passionate about the environment. She avoided using things made of plastic, including straws.

“I believe that she would like to be remembered for her persistence in creating a sustainable environment. We should continue spreading her positive messages,” added Phang.

Khoo was a presenter on BFM radio station, popular for her Saturday noon Feeding Time podcast, which revolved around the culinary business, restaurant reviews and interviews with chefs and restaurateurs.

She also co-produced and moderated BFM’s annual Enterprise Takeaway food event, and had a short stint as a video host for its former e-magazine, B-Side.

“Fay was driven by her passion.

“She would do the research and get contacts for Feeding Time when she was in Sydney.

“Then she would come to Malaysia and do a solid number of shows. Fay was an absolutely creative person,” said BFM founder Malek Ali.

Khoo’s celebrity friends and fans took to social media to share their grief.

Comedian Harith Iskander wrote: “It’s absolutely crazy how this can happen so fast.

“You have been one of my oldest friends and one of the most loving and outrageously authentic people I know.

“You will be missed by many, not least of whom, me. Rest in peace ‘mangkuk’. Love you Kay Foo!”

Radio veteran Patrick Teoh, who knew her for over a decade, posted: “My dear friend Fay Khoo is gone. I just can’t believe it.

“We met and spoke what seemed like just a week ago.

“She was so alive, so beautiful, so full of life … so Fay. Too young. Too soon. Goodbye, Fay. I will miss you. Rest In Peace.”

The private funeral for Khoo will be held in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday.

HONG KONG – Movie producer Tiffany Chen has spoken up for actor Jackie Chan, saying her friend is a man of affection who has cried over his love child, Etta Ng, many times.

Chen spoke to reporters at a charity dinner last Saturday, two days after beauty queen Elaine Ng and lawyer Mary Jean Reimer said at a press conference that Ng had not received a cent from her daughter’s father, Chan.

Chen said it was Ng who put her former lover Chan and his wife Lin Feng-jiao in a dilemma, reported Ming Pao Daily News. “Someone was determined to give birth. Etta is the most innocent, most pitiful one because she had no choice. Her mummy had a choice.”

She said she did not know about Ng’s financial difficulties, but added: “When Etta is big enough, 21, I believe Jackie Chan will give Etta money, but not her mummy.”

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2015-03-14 16:36:12

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Jackie Chan’s love child calls police on mum Elaine Ng again

Source: Sina Entertainment, Ifeng Entertainment, YouTube screengrabs

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She said Chan’s and Lin’s hands were tied. Even if Lin means to help her husband’s child, she cannot because Etta is another woman’s child, Chen said.

Someone on Ng’s side, who has since died, blackmailed Chan, and the actor “embraced us and cried”, Chen said.

Last Thursday, Ms Reimer said Chan rebuffed her request for help for Ng, who was jobless in 2015.

Chen said Ng’s actions made Chan give up on her. Asked about Chen’s comments, Ng told Oriental Daily News: “I dare not answer.”

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2016-11-13 19:03:30

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Jackie Chan ‘finally’ wins Oscar at Governors Awards

Source:

AFP

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Read also: Jackie Chan refused to help his daughter’s mother, says lawyer

Jackie Chan refused to help his daughter’s mother, says lawyer

Jackie Chan turns media shy after ex-lover gets detained by police

This article was first published on April 2, 2017.
Get a copy of The Straits Times or go to straitstimes.com for more stories.