Popular Mandopop star Dave Wang returns to the stage after his maiden performance here in Singapore 21 years ago.
In Singapore for the second leg of his 2010 World Tour, Dave Wang, or more popularly known as Wang Jie to his fans, gave an emotional performance that took a capacity crowd on a trip down memory lane on Oct. 23 at The Max Pavilion. Wang, who commenced his world tour in Beijing in August, proved that he still had what it takes to get an audience going, sans fancy stage props or costume changes.
Together with his eight-piece band and three backing vocalists, Wang delivered a number of karaoke staples such as “Yi Chang You Xi Yi Chang Meng” (“A Game A Dream”), “Wang Le Ni Wang Le Wo” (“Forget You Forget Me”) and “An Ni” (“Annie”) much to the delight of his fans. Among the audience were long-distance admirers from Hong Kong and Japan who flew in specially to show their support for the talented singer-songwriter.
Bursting onto the music scene with his first major record release in 1988, the Hong Kong-born artiste has carved a niche for himself, wowing fans with his signature haunting soft rock ballads. While he lived in Canada between the early 1990s right up till 2000, he never stopped making music, and often shuttled between Hong Kong and Taiwan for his album releases and promotional activities.
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Even as a veteran who has enjoyed a career spanning almost three decades, Wang still possessed a disarming charm that many would agree is lacking in his more contemporary peers. He performed without any intermission, and belted out memorable hits that had the crowd singing along with abandon, particularly during the chart-topper, “Shi Fou Wo Zhen De Yi Wu Suo You” (“Do I Really Have Nothing”) a testament to the enigmatic and evocative nature of his songs that have stood the test of time.
Currently, the 40-something Wang is busy preparing for his swan song, a final album that will be recorded and produced in Australia. It was a bittersweet revelation to his fans, as he told them that he would most likely retire for good after production completes. He added that famed Singaporean music composer, Ricky Oh, will take the helm in reworking his classic songs and infusing them with orchestral and live recording elements to give each track a fresh interpretation. The album is due to be completed in March 2011. The seasoned award-winning singer did, however, reiterate that “singing is a form of indulgence” that he will never grow tired of.
In between songs he recounted the early days when he started out singing mostly cover songs in pubs. Even then, his audience knew he had the singing chops—he distinctly recalls getting the most tips for his rendition of “I Don‘t Want To Talk About It,” first sung by Rod Stewart. Beyond the 27-song set performed throughout the two-and-a-half-hour concert, he also related personal struggles and insightful anecdotes gleaned from three decades of showbiz experience.
With a touch of earnestness, he delivered his final song, “Ru Guo Wo Lao Le Ni Hai Ai Bu Ai Wo” (“Will You Still Love Me Even When I Am Old”)—to which he received the answer in the form of thunderous applause and cheers from the floor as he exited the stage.
Dave Wang’s next stop on his 2010 World Tour is scheduled on Nov. 6 in Tianjin, China.
