Eason Headed Back to Beijing

After the cancellation of shows last year, Eason Chan will head back to Beijing for two unnamed shows (though it appears to be part of the 90 Minutes of Happiness Tour with Mr.) on April 29th and 30th, 2010.

Eason Chan back to rock Beijing
April 16 2010
By Xing Daiqi

Following the success of Eason Chan's 18-gig residency at the Hong Kong Coliseum running from March 20 to April 6, the Cantopop idol looks to keep up the momentum with two solo concerts on April 29 and 30 at Beijing Workers' Gymnasium.

After what turned out to be a wild performance in Hong Kong, a hoarse-voiced Chan greeted fans in Beijing at the studio of concert promoters Enlight Media on Monday.

"I shouted until I lost my voice at that show. It was more mind-blowing than listening to a CD," Chan explained.

Part of the Meet in Beijing Arts Festival, the concert, 10 Years of Eason Chan, marks the decade since Chan's smash hit album King of Karaoke (K Ge Zhi Wang), a title Chan well deserves.

Although he is one of China's top selling recording artists since 2000, Chan admits his biggest passion has never been producing albums, but rather live performance is his ultimate goal.

"The sound and feeling of performing live is fresher and more interactive," Chan said. "For instance, if I rearrange the music and replace piano with organ in a song, the feeling is very different. This is the reason why I enjoy giving concerts so often."

Known for his provocative and eccentric stage shows, Chan has donned tiger costumes, over-the-top wigs and even 7-centimeter-high-heel shoes. "But this time I'm giving up all that and letting the music speak for itself," the singer added.

During the 90-minute concert Chan will perform some of his all time classics in Putonghua, Cantonese and English, including "10 Years" (Shi Nian), "Your Backpack "(Ni De Bei Bao) and "Love's Transference" (Ai Qing Zhuan Yi).

"I will continue to collaborate with the new Hong Kong band Mr. which will give the show more of a pop-rock flavor," he explained. "For example, 'Your Backpack' (Ni De Bei Bao) will be in a U2 style, and many of my old songs will be done in different arrangements."

As Chan's landmark album King of Karaoke has inspired many KTV dreamers over the years, an online karaoke competition is being conducted among Chan's fans, the winner getting a chance to perform with their idol at the upcoming concerts.
Touted as one of the most prominent Hong Kong singers since Jackie Cheung, Eason Chan is looking to shed his boyish image and usher in the next generation of Cantopop.

Chan created a stir in the 90s with his debut album, Drifter (You Li Fen Zi), singing about one-night stands, which at the time was subject matter rarely found in mainstream Chinese pop. In another song, "The Fifth Modernization" (Di Wu Ge Xian Dai Hua), the singer questioned the effect of modern science and technology on human life.

"I think it's a good thing if I can provoke attention to social issues through music," Chan stated. "In creating music, I would describe myself as rebellious; When everyone is doing the same thing, I find a new direction and a new door to open."

Besides a talented vocalist, Chan is also a versatile musician who plays a wide variety of musical instruments, such as piano, drums, guitar, violin, harmonica, saxophone and trumpet. Songs written by Chan, "Anticlimax" (Fan Gao Chao) and "Song of the Times" (Shi Dai Qu), have garnered both commercial and critical acclaim.

After his Beijing concert, Chan will set out for his first European tour, playing London, Manchester and Rotterdam in May. According to Chan's promoter, tickets for the London and Manchester dates sold out within hours of release.

Source: global times 04.16.2010