Shermaine YeoOne of Singapore’s major music events, the Singapore Hit Awards is known for the big names that grace the occasion. This year, it’s no different, and to start it off, the promotional activities leading up to the actual awards ceremony on Nov 6 already seem impressive. The UrbanWire went to check out the bustle at IMM on Oct 4, catching a glimpse of 3 talented singer-songwriters.
Hosted by local DJs Cruz (丁志勇) and Peifen (林佩芬) from Y.E.S. 93.3FM, the Artiste Street Concert (新加坡金曲奖音乐趴之街头爆唱会) started off with a performance by Crowd Lu (卢广仲), who can be easily recognised by his signature mushroom hairdo and huge black-rimmed spectacles. Lu treated supporters to familiar favourites such as “Good Morning, Beautiful Dawn” (早安, 晨之美) and “I love you” (我爱你). As an exclusive showcase, the shy 24-year-old played and sang a new song, “OH YEAH!!!”, which was the first performance of the number worldwide. Apart from a distinctive style and outstanding music career, which had him sweeping the Best Composer and Best New Artiste awards at this year’s Golden Melody Awards, Lu’s sense of humour is also unique. While wiping away his perspiration with a cloth he hung on the mic stand, he said, “perspiring is a very healthy thing… it’s a very rock ‘n’ roll thing”.
Next up, was singer Lala Shu (徐佳瑩), winner of the third season of popular Taiwanese singing competition, One Million Star (超级星光大道). The petite 24-year-old shared very interesting observations of Singapore with the audience. As a first time visitor to the country, she remarked, “The trees are so green that they look fake.” Even strolling down the local shopping street could get the young star excited, “Although there are tall buildings along Orchard Road, you can actually hear birds chirping!” She also gave amusing descriptions of the local delights that she savoured in the past few days. The list included Hainanese Chicken Rice, Bak Kut Teh [A Chinese soup dish made with pork ribs, spices and herbs] and a well-liked snack, which she recounted in this manner: “This morning, I just made a new friend named ‘YaKun‘! It’s so delicious! I had so many pieces of kaya toast [toasted bread with butter slices and coconut jam] at one go, which made me really want to burp this afternoon.”
Last to take the stage was local heavyweight Tanya Chua. Clad in a chilli-red dress adorned with a black belt, the 34-year-old didn’t look a day older than 25. The wind at the garden plaza had the singer-songwriter’s skirt flying, but rather than getting irritated, Tanya was all giggly about it and her laughter infected the crowd as well. Despite her busy schedule, the veteran performer credited it as “an arrangement by the universe” that she was able to come back and be part of the Singapore Hit Awards activities. Singing tracks such as “Who” (谁) and “Only Love” from her latest album If You Meet Him (若你碰到他), she blew fans away with her guitar playing and crooning.
Earlier in the evening, Y.E.S. 93.3FM also held the finals for the Singapore Hit Awards ‘Theme Song’ Singing Competition (新加坡金曲奖音乐趴之金曲奖主题曲大决赛), in which 10 finalists had to battle it out for a chance to sing with Channel U’s Campus Superstars, first season winner Ng Chee Yang (黄智阳) and third season runner-up, Rachel Chua Ai Jia (蔡艾珈). 3 successful contestants, Chen Mei Xin (陈美心), Zhang Yi Bo (张诒博) and Cai Ning Xuan (蔡宁轩) were presented with a performer’s pass for the 15th Singapore Hit Awards, where they will sing its opening theme “Eternal Glory” (永恒的光辉).
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