“我是看他的戏长大的!” 这句经典”台词”,相信不只是我,也是在线上多位港片/Ekin迷的心声。

年轮里最美的果实堪称”青春回忆”,饱受风霜多年后的我们,忆起青春往事,嘴角还是会上扬。而我们有这份荣幸,无需戳破那美丽的彩虹泡泡,可以再次拥有那短暂2小时的美好时光。

有位不老男神”郑伊健”,他是那么地平易近人,就像一股清澈的河流,与世无争,任何事情都能够处之泰然。

即使多年不见,他依然悠然自得,用微笑和依照自己的步伐,面对这世界。
更奇妙的是,他一点老态也没有。

说起郑伊健历年诠释过的角色,在你心中留下最深刻烙印的是。。。

<<百分百感觉>>里的Jerry,
<<古惑仔>>里的陈浩南,
<<极速传说>>里的Sky,
还是<<风云>>里的聂风?

伊面演活的众多角色当中,都略带郑伊健的身影。在他身上,你能感觉到陈浩南的有情有义,Jerry的开朗和好人缘,Sky的冒险精神和风流倜傥,聂风的专情和温柔,而他们都蓄着那招牌的”飘逸中长发”。

没想到要再次一睹 Ekin 在舞台上的英姿和风采,需要21年那么漫长的岁月。这一夜,观众们都随着 Ekin 走入时光隧道,去寻觅我们曾有过的美好回忆。这场 show 无疑是为了回馈粉丝一如既往的支持和关爱,耐心等待Ekin重返舞台多年的”礼物”。Ekin虽然很久没出现在大屏幕,却心系着大家。

贵为”一代型男”的郑伊健,果然宝刀未老,依然意气风发,帅气凛然。他披着一席长袍,左侧辫着发,露出了俊俏的脸庞,右侧长发飘逸,站在钢琴旁,深情演绎了他最为脍炙人口的经典之最<<甘心替代你>>的慢版。

这就犹如年少气盛过后,学会了沉淀,把一切看得云淡风轻的”中年陈浩南”的心境,满是刻骨铭心的回忆,却略现沧桑。

虽然伊面不多话,但一开始侃侃而谈,也不忘以”伊式”幽默,逗乐大家。在”征求”群众的意见用粤语交谈后,他仿佛放下心中大石,露出沾沾自喜,调皮的笑容。他的性格比较随性爽朗,所以歌唱方式也较为随性。 虽不是以歌喉闻名,但唱功恶也算中规中矩。

狮城的观众属”闷骚”型,但不至于会让气氛瞬间凝结。大家最终还是抵不过Ekin的魅力,开始释放热情。此起彼落的掌声,欢呼声,和不间断的大合唱,例如在演唱<<一对对>>时的”啦啦啦”,都不曾间断。

伊面之前演唱的电影主题曲和插曲至今仍非常受落,能说是令大家”忆难忘”。 每一个熟悉的音符,和那陪伴我们多年的歌声,顿时把我们吸入了时光隧道。往事一罗筐,随着荧幕上的电影情节,排山倒海进入眼帘,涌入脑海里,温暖着我们的心窝。

<<极速传说>>那”帅到没朋友”,放浪不羁的 Sky 开着跑车,迷倒了无数女性。<<友情岁月>>又立即把我们带回”古惑仔”的日子,依稀浮现陈浩南和一班兄弟在街头争地盘,玩打火机的情景。随着<<吻感>>的前奏,伊面和众多搭挡谈情说爱的画面,都一一出现在大荧幕上。当一幕幕的旧电影情节以黑白的方式呈现时,你会不禁感叹,美好时光飞逝。

无论是稚嫩,有点青涩,或散发成熟男人味的Ekin,都是那么具吸引力。岁月催人老,但岁月可待他不薄。He has aged so gracefully.

平时活蹦乱跳,爱捣蛋的他,简直是个”孩子王”。伊面也有安静沉稳的一面,处之泰然,淡定的个性,喜欢简单,不爱复杂。他很懂得养生,热爱运动,过着与世无争的日子。就是那种”即使外面的世界再纷扰,也扰乱不了他内心平静”的感觉。他一向都只专注自己的节奏,做好自己的本分。这处事态度值得我们学习。

Ekin不只把体格练得特Fit,更是挑战自己的体能极限,在演唱<<蒸发眼泪>>时,以360度倒立悬挂在吊环上20几秒。

中场特别的”新加坡即时面”环节, 是只限定一晚的”回忆胶囊”。他发现在校园的日子始终是最开心的,希望这环节能够带大家回到念书的美好时光。他还打趣地说如果在座的有人还在念书,一定是被妈妈逼来的!

眼看Ekin一身白衣裳,就像是”冻龄”的白马王子,慵懒地坐在舞台中央和乐手们一起演唱起 <<二十世纪的恋人们>>,<<看天的日子>>,<<爱情盛放的季节>>, 那些年的回忆就像是有股暖意涌上心头。

到了演唱会尾端,唱起<<风云>>里的夯曲,又岂能不展示苦练多时的”麒麟臂”呢? 手握拳头的姿势也有种”把握现在,珍惜当下”, “一切都掌握在自己手里” 的感觉。

演唱会也在大家正意犹未尽的同时,随着”花洒”的飘落,划上句点。

尽管岁月匆匆流逝,但我们要创造更多更好的回忆,才不会留下更多的遗憾。能听到许多耳熟能详的经典歌曲,见到儿时的偶像,是种福分。

“这段缘,不知怎去讲,感激我遇见”。。
Read More →

若2018年的”圣所1.0″是一大”盛举”,那”圣所2.0″就是为JJ 林俊杰写下更多的”创举”和重要”里程碑”的辉煌诗篇。

JJ在2019年更是再次打破记录,创造了更多的”第一次”。这除了是JJ首度在新加坡国家体育场办演唱会,他也是在这里连办2场演唱会的第一位华人歌手! 之前成功办2场个唱的还有天团 Coldplay 和 U2.

在升级版的”圣所2.0″,JJ披着镶满黑色晶片的”未来战士”战袍戴上银黑头盔,以前卫造型出现在塔有一个”三角型”的舞台中央,唱出曹操想统一三国的野心和霸气。那三角型的镭射效果,就像是迅速地穿越时光隧道,把大家带到一个遥远的世代。那似乎是在向世界宣示他即将开创一个崭新的”圣所2.0″世代,的理想和抱负。

或许是能回来和亲朋好友过圣诞节,JJ整个人是容光焕发,朝气蓬勃,状态大好。他的歌声没有去年连办4场后的疲态,而是大家所公认的”会行走的CD”。

那嘹亮的歌声具有穿透力,环绕整个体育场,是最佳的 surround sound system. 因为状态堪佳, JJ的音准极近Pitch Perfect,飙高音时也似乎不费吹灰之力,整个人很有能量。

这是场4万人的大型KTV,不管是旧歌还是新歌,具有戏剧张力或抒情歌曲,观众都给予最佳的掌声和尖叫声,可谓是最”捧场”的观众。

JJ温暖的歌声回荡在空气中,环抱着每个观众,抚慰着他们的心灵。在演唱首首经典歌曲时,除了听出耳油,脑海里泛起了许多回忆,都令暖意涌上心头。

Because it was a homecoming for JJ Lin, 来自家乡的热情和暖意整夜都在空气中弥漫着。 谁说新加坡人一点都不热情? 我们自有表达热情的方式。

歌迷们在台下摇曳着精心准备的卡片,就是想告诉JJ “Welcome Home Lah, 永远是一家人”。这既简单又温馨的表达方式,JJ 看在眼里,暖在心里。

Home is truly where his heart is at. Home is where he could be at so at ease and unassuming on stage. He could speak freely and make all sorts of jokes which he needn’t worry if anyone would understand.

JJ每到一个城市,都会准备一首特定歌曲。回到家乡,当然要来点特别的。于是他选唱了另一位新加坡”国宝”孙燕姿的经典歌曲<<我怀念的>>和边弹钢琴边唱一小段的爱国歌曲<>。当大家沉醉于他的美妙歌声时,也附和大合唱的画面,令人起鸡皮疙瘩。

弹奏乐器就是创作歌手最佳的武器和魅力。那收放自如,随性的弹奏,极其优美和柔和的高音,就像一阵微风掠过你心里。 这就是沉浸沉醉在大合唱的氛围。

他也说”Music is my only escape. It’s how i keep a record of my life, on what i go thru.. ” 一个人在外打拼,难免会有觉得孤独和沮丧的时候,而音乐就是JJ最好的寄托。

酷炫壮观的舞台,搭配灯光视觉效果,让人有身临其境的感觉。时而有云雾,时而有彩虹,还有荧光粉红色,雨伞形状的 “Jellyfish”在”飘浮”着。

JJ的演唱会也显露了他关心社会议题的想法。在惯连不同曲目的视频里,会看到关心世界和平的信息,如战争会带给人们愤怒和绝望的画面,和用舞蹈员的肢体诠释出这种无奈感。

小编个人喜欢的是出现在<<杀手>>时引用的”黑红”视觉效果。那似乎凸显了”杀手”沉溺在阴暗层面的思绪,有点诡异,有点神秘,和充满血腥和恐惧感的鲜艳红色。

值得一提的是, JJ 依然不忘展现他的 “Rocker 魂”,为大家带来一连串的轻快组曲如 <>, <<因你而在>>, <<丹宁执著>>,把现场气氛炒热, 带入另一波高潮。

JJ的歌曲大多属于细腻情感的抒发。他擅长的是“情”字,总能把自己的人生故事和细腻的情感投入创作,谱成首首扣人心旋的歌曲。不管是祖父母的爱情故事,自己的爱情故事或经历,他都能把它们化为不同时间点的记录。首首经典,不会因时间的流逝而变得枯燥乏味。

JJ 化身林老师,语重心长地分享了一个人在外国打拼16年的感想。 不管我们怎么去准备或规划人生,”计划永远都赶不上变化”。尽管阻碍再多,劝阻的声浪不断,只要自己不放弃,用正面的态度面对,没有什么事情是不能一一去克服的。

调皮的林老师一时兴起,开始和大家解说如何运用新加坡惯用的”Singlish”. “Lah”, “Leh”, “Lor”, “Meh”, 是我们日常里的语助词,但JJ的详细解说和例子简直是太棒了!

在娱乐圈打滚了16年,有起也有落。他是新加坡的骄傲,为下一代的年轻人铺了路。他的成功励志奋斗史 ,会对许多怀抱音乐梦想的年轻人起着鼓舞的作用。

JJ的台风越来越稳健,也具有国际巨星风范。值得表扬的是他那努力不懈突破自己的毅力,和为人谦虚,红而不骄的个性。

相信他在中文乐坛上有更大的一番作为,也希望他可以一直唱下去。

You will always be our pride!Read More →

The legends are back!

The wait seems forever but Super Junior is back in full force (almost), better and stronger than ever before.

For those who went “KAMP-ing” with SUJU, you certainly would have felt the difference in the aura they exuded, as compared to “Hallyupop Fest” earlier in May this year.

两个字: 霸气

全体回归后的气势&磁场完全不同了。人数一齐,大家都能发挥浓厚的团体精神和在各自的岗位上散发独特的魅力。的确,团结就是力量 (Unity is strength)。

As these guys emerged on stage, the hall instantly turned into a sea of sapphire blue. The euphoric cheers that went round the stadium like Dolby Digital Sound ringing in your ears, adrenaline and excitement gushing through your entire body, was just SUPER DUPER Shiok! Just like the inertia that gravity has on us, they channelled our innermost excitement.

Exuding high confidence level and being in their tip-top conditions since they embarked on their Super Show 8 World Tour, they are definitely ready for the world now as a full unit. Just like the lyrics in “The Crown”, they will continue to shine and take on the world while bearing the weight of that crown. They will remain to be the “Last Man Standing”.

It felt like propelling us back to their peak days during SS4.

They are veteran boyband superstars with the vigor of new kids on the block. It also means that they are still pretty boyish and childish at times.

3 Cheers for ELFs worldwide who have been their greatest source of strength and support all these years. There’s no holding back in showing their utmost support for these guys who finally made it back.
It had never been easy, neither is it easy now, but they will continue to forge on strong.

We’ll always remember this quote from Lee Teuk “Until the day the world is covered with pearl sapphire blue balloons, it’s not an End, but an And.”

It’s still an “and” despite all the hardships, obstacles, losing of members and members going in and out of military the past 9 years.

Nothing can beat the joy, satisfaction, solace when you watch these guys shine on the stage where they belong.

SUJU survived the ordeal; ELFs survived the wait and prove to be their greatest support as the world’s biggest sapphire blue ocean. That sea of blue can catch their backs when they fall, providing them the most quiet but embracing support.

As the guys danced to their latest retro-pop hit, fan chants from the crowd were in sync with their latest hit “Super Clap”. The choreography and sequence of the fan chants for “Super Clap” were circulating wildly online, so that fans could memorise their parts before the performance.

SUJU is best at bringing ENTERTAINMENT to the audience, be it their singing, dancing, pranks or crappy talks. These guys know no boundaries.

在这群人的世界里, “没有最疯,只有更疯”…

They would not end their show without much bantering that would make you experience cramps from laughing so much.

From changing the lyrics of “Super Clap” to chili and pepper crabs to dancing a little skit with “Sing, Sing, Singapore”, reading out a prepared speech in English, joking around with broken English and relatable Singlish asking “We handsome?”, these guys were out to 自娱娱人.

You can’t deny that Kyuhyun is mainly the source of joy and laughter among the hyungs. It feels so different with the energy that evil and playful maknae brings to the entire group.

When all 3 main vocalists of Super Junior are back, you are in for a splendid eargasm feast. The so ever familiar harmonization of low, medium and high notes blended so perfectly, be it the ballads or fast tracks.

Yesung’s vocals have been catching much attention in recent years. His husky, sexy, low vocal can hit some uniquely high pitches that are so easily distinguishable. Kyuhyun can execute and navigate between his low and high notes so beautifully. His high notes are soothing to the ears, while his low notes warm your heart. He has absolutely great control over his own vocal. 可以说是收放自如。

You probably miss Ryeowook’s high pitch. The image of him doing his ultra high pitch “Jashini Isseo” (I am confident) would pop up in your mind whenever you listen to him sing.

It’s a picture perfect when the main vocalists + main dancers and everyone else doing their thing on stage.

Old is Gold, or perhaps Diamond here.

They’ve still got it going on.

LeeTeuk mentioned at the Asia Artists Awards that “Nothing is forever and as time passes, we will grow old and wilt but as compared to a beautiful flower that blooms, Super Junior will be a group that always stays by everyone’s side like weeds. We will always be a group that will repay everyone’s love, talks about the start rather than the end and talks about now, rather than the past.”

They have proven their intent with their actions all these while. Being in tip top conditions in their mid 30s and running around, dancing on stage like this is definitely be more exhausting than in their 20s, especially when you see them panting heavily, but they are still going on strong.

While you may have your favourite members, you will find all of them lovable and irritating in their own ways.

正因为他们放得开”偶包”,才能走进大众的心里。他们一开口说话,什么”气势”都消失,有的就是”疯癫”两个字。

What is their role at their KAMP appearance this time round?

Hyukjae – The crappy guy (full of crab)
Lee Teuk – Most 长气 guy as usual but we love him anyway
Shindong – Commendable effort for reading an English script
Kyuhyun – Evil Maknae with relatable Broken English / Singlish,
Siwon – The so ever-ready-to-be Politician feel
Yesung –Blooming confidence with his vocals and visuals and we love how he smiles more now
Ryeowook – The gentle one with a glowing complexion
Donghae – Sweet talker and good looker

It was more than mere pink bubbles around Yesung’s head when he took his solo stage. Look at those wide grins and smiles. Bliss was in the air. We are glad that this blooming confidence has made him a happier person and more ready to open up.

It’s even a prouder moment, like an “Omma” moment when you watch these guys finally “all assembled” and performing right before you.

Songs of yesteryears like “Miracle”, “Mr Simple” would jolt your memories.

Hearing Kyuhyun taking the lead on vocals once again has never felt more complete. 9 years it has been and they have all completed their military service.

We do not know if the guys ever got sick of performing “Sorry, Sorry” or “Bonamana”, but these songs represent their best at their peak.

SUJU was in a beautiful mood, while the ELFs on an excited mode.

We will never forget the best leader who takes care of his members and fans at all corners of the stadium, who cheekily did a “Sing, Sing, Singapore” skit. Because of your hard work and sacrifices, the group managed to continue to this day.

No idea how many more years Super Junior would continue as a group, but am sure they will continue as long as the ELFs are here for them.

希望从此之后,你们都只走花路。但就算路上铺满障碍和荆棘,我们都一起向前走吧。

Till the world gets covered in Sapphire Blue, it’s an “and”.Read More →

如果说我们都是看刘德华的戏和听他的歌长大的,一点也不畏过。

或许你的学生时代和我一样,每逢星期天都在收音机旁守着”醉心龙虎榜”,听着”谢谢你的爱”在榜上逗留了33周,也荣登了数次榜首。当时我们都爱买空卡带,等待歌曲播出时,按下那红红的”Record”按钮。在之后,重复地听无数遍,只为了把歌词抄下来。

或许是这个缘故,我们对”旧歌”或”老歌”的歌词都能倒背如流。反观现在的流行曲,如果没有看歌词,似乎都无法立刻记起。

隔了11年再重新登上新加坡体育馆开唱,刘德华在一连4晚座无虚席的万人演唱会上,凭着四面台和坚韧的毅力,展现了香港巨星独有的舞台魅力。他所散发的不只是天王的气魄,霸气十足的排场,满满的诚意。惊人的耐力和体力,也证明他仍”宝刀未老”。

要38年都保持在最佳状态,是有多消神的一件事情。能人所不能,才配得上称为”天王”。

虽然年华逝去,除了脸上多几条鱼尾纹外,他依旧是那个帅气,亲民,谦卑,努力不懈,做事都尽善尽美,对歌迷爱护有加的刘天王。 看着他在堕马事件康复后,容光焕发,神采飞扬,大家都松了一口气。只要他能健康地在舞台上,那就是粉丝们最大的安慰。

演唱会规模之庞大,也看得出刘德华的用心和野心。他竭尽所能地推出新点子,带给观众一些惊喜,也试图拉近和观众之间的距离。

除了考验体力和协调力的大鼓表演,悬挂在半空中环绕馆场一圈,到舞台旁的延伸舞台,和升降舞台的构造都下足了工夫。屋顶悬挂着的”天花板”设计和舞台地面上的巨大荧幕投影,栩栩如生的动画色彩,为演唱会的视觉效果增添了更优等的视觉感官。

在第二首歌曲”中国人”就表演了团队配合度的大鼓演奏。除了担当Main Drummer带领众舞者打鼓的场面,他也得集中精神在舞台慢慢旋转360度的同时,保值节奏感。

华仔悬挂在高空中绕场馆一圈,唱了”谢谢你的爱”。这是为了回馈歌迷们对多年来的爱戴,而准备的惊喜。就算坐在”山顶”上的观众也能清楚地一睹他的风采。

他至今已入行38年,现在58岁还可以在空中”绕圈”和粉丝打招呼,但如果到了90岁,应该会畏高,无法再挑战做同样的事情。他希望如果大家在街上碰到90岁的他,可以给他一个大拥抱,然后说:”你还是很帅”。

一连串的经典歌曲如”冰雨”,”练习”,”男人哭吧不是罪”,”你是我的女人”等,都让人听得如痴如醉的当儿,也起了鸡皮疙瘩,唤起许多回忆。

演唱会的高潮是”Encore”部分。我们熟悉的香港歌手最拿手的”Medley载歌载舞”环节终于隆重登场,原汁原味地展现在新加坡观众眼前。强劲的音乐,动感的舞蹈,舞者在中央舞台一字排开,不断地更换 formation,更加凸显华仔的巨星气势,风范和排场。

最喜欢的是重新编曲的”无间道”,配合很带劲和有气势的舞蹈。尤其是那salute 的 ending pose,怎一个”帅”了得? 小编怀疑华仔一直偷偷地怀抱Rocker梦。因为连续4晚的演出,他出示了”Rocker”手势好多次。

当他意味深长地说忽然觉得自己不是偶像,而是歌手,大家也有所感慨。

就因4大天王里,他算是长得俊俏,拥有精赞演技,但没歌唱或舞蹈底子的他花了很多年,下了很多功夫改善自己在声线上的不足,也学习舞蹈。 他或许不是在4位里头声线最好的,但他可算是最努力的”拼命三郎”。38年的演艺生涯,没有一天怠慢。凡事做到尽善尽美的华仔,舞台魅力和架势十足,仍然靓仔,也一直把歌迷放在心上。

这样的华仔,很难令人不受动摇。

华仔待人诚恳,对粉丝也疼爱有加,完全毫无巨星架子,是他最深得人心的原因之一。

尽管他是香港乐坛的”4大天王”之一,不管是男女老少,任何年龄层的人都爱喊他一声”华仔”。这是一种对他最”崇高”的称呼。这很符合他的作风,不会和任何人划等级。不管到了什么年纪,华仔都是大家心里的Guy Next Door,那么亲切,没有距离感。

就像他说的,那些买不到票的观众不用太担心,他会一直一直办演唱会,直到大家都能进场观赏为止。这也算是很贴心,和歌迷立下承诺,说话算话的举动。

华仔深刻地体会到,要长久的红下去,就要不断地去努力钻研自己的演技,寻求突破,把最好的呈现给大家,才不枉费大家对他的支持和厚爱。绎圈里真正能做到这一点的寥寥无几。

那天的他,特别有感触。或许是因为在受伤后,能获得重回舞台这难能可贵的机会。

他认为观众都给他那么真诚的眼神,让他想更卖力地演出。

华仔为人众情义,也乐善好施,平时也常做些公益活动。除了为许多艺人树立好榜样,他纯属精湛的演技也是许多演员向往的目标。

演唱会的最后一首歌是”真永远”。这首歌的舞蹈编排也是我最为震撼和满意的。在灯光一暗,舞群们都穿着黑色上衣排成一线在华仔左右两旁,有手臂形成”海浪”在波动的形状,层层的涟漪似乎正轻轻地拍打着你我的心房和记忆。

在灯光灰暗时,人们都比较容易探入内心深处,挖掘真实的想法。”永远”很抽象,但只要把握当下,珍惜和所有爱你和你爱的人们相处的时光,就是所谓的”真永远”。

谢谢华仔健康华丽的回归舞台,回到所有爱他的粉丝和观众的怀里,也让大家和他共度了愉快的4个夜晚。

希望下一场巡演不会隔太久。
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“You didn’t just make our dreams come true once, you made it come true 2 times.”- Kian

Westlife’s reunion is undoubtedly one of the best gifts bestowed upon the 80s and 90s kids. No matter how many new groups sprouted over the years, none is as good as old, for old is gold in our hearts.

Do these Irish guys still have it?

Oh yes, they absolutely do.

They age like the finest 1980s vintage wine. Looking as charismatic as yester-years, their vocals amazingly better, a tribute to Queen medley, a marriage proposal, a 48.75-second record breath-holding longest note for “Fool Again”, the thunderous cheers, massive karaoke session & white lights from a 22,000 strong crowd in the biggest indoor arena that they have ever played in their 20 years, pretty much summed up the reminiscence rendezvous.

You don’t need Infinity stones when you have Westlife. Their vocals have got healing and therapeutic powers which can soothe your hearts and minds.

“Eargasm” at its best.

Time came to a standstill when the quartet emerged on stage. We were channeled back to the early 2000s through a time tunnel.

The euphoric pleasures from yester years coming to life before you felt so surreal, making you feel young and old at the same time.

As they sang their new hit “Hello, My Love”, fluttering hearts screamed “Rehi, My Loves!”.

Yes, they are back to S̶W̶E̶A̶R̶ ̶I̶T̶ swoon us all over again with their melodious vocals. The lovelorn fans would no longer be flying without wings for Westlife’s reunion sparks hope and faith and have given them a pair of angel wings.

It was a dream come true twice for Westlife, and us.

The number of people sprouting on their feet, waving their hands, swaying along to their most renown hits, singing along as loudly as they could, screaming for these guys at the top of their lungs, the number of phone screens raised, was a clear indication how much Singapore fans miss Westlife.

The sound system at National Stadium is often described as “substandard”, but Westlife proved they could take full control with their strong vocals.

Classics are best served RAW.

This was most evident during their best hits like “Swear It Again”, “Uptown Girl” and “If I Let You Go”. The crowd reacted the most fervently during these timeless hits and past video snips on the LED screen brought back loads of adolescent memories.

“If I Let You Go” exuded the most Nostalgia vibes as I watched the “young lads” on screen. We could vaguely remember Jamie Teo right in making a guest appearance during “Uptown Girl” back in Westlife’s 1st SG concert.

We could still remember the lyrics of yester years by heart as we sang along line after line. Some things are just etched in the mind and heart.

You felt like a teenage girl once again, going gaga over your long-time-no-see high school beaus who have maintained themselves so well.

Westlife’s vocal has got a therapeutic effect.

Shane sounding as perfect as ever, Mark’s remarkably high notes reminded you of Divas, while Nicky and Kian had a chance to prove they could sing fairly well too. Even more surprising was how Kian managed to pull off “I want to Break Free” so well.

Weslife announced disbandment at the height of their music career in 2012. This decision broke million of hearts worldwide. No matter how fans petitioned for a reunion, how many blank cheques were offered to them, they stuck by their decision to have a go at their personal interests. They thought this was the end of Westlife, and we too, thought this was really it.

20 years passed us by & many things have changed in the course of our lives, including these guys who took a break to get back to normal routine lives.

“What makes a man” seems to be the most apt song for these guys who have tasted fame and popularity, but being able to let it all go at their peak. It takes more than pure courage and determination to stand by what they believed in and wanted so badly.

This was in exchange for a commoner’s life, for more time with their families.

As Nicky put it, they never knew what a “routine” life was. They have matured and nurtured into family men, loving husbands, daddies and pursued their solo interests. Now that they are ready to take on the world stage once more as Westlife, they made good their promise to return bigger and better.

These humble, down-to-earth, fun-loving guys didn’t change.

Their new collaborations with Ed Sheeran have seamlessly integrated them back to the current music scene. There’s an infusion of the latest pop elements in their new tracks. It affirms they did not just want to be a passé nostalgic act, but they still have what it takes to stay relevant now and all ready to move forth to the future.

National Stadium may be the biggest and hottest sauna they have ever played in, but they are just like the bubble tea that quenched our thirst in this humid weather.

We bet Shane wasn’t just talking about the weather when he said it was BURNING HOT. Mark exclaimed it was hard to believe that halfway across the way, people know their songs and names.

Nicky quipped that their lives totally changed when their band enjoyed worldwide popularity. They were grateful for the love and support for the past 20 years, even when they split up, got married and did different things.

Kian confessed they were really worried if they still had it if they were to make a comeback. We didn’t even need to hear the resounding “YES” from the audience to know that’s not a cause for worry at all. Even when the guys had their reservations, we never doubted it.

Kian shared that “You Raise Me Up” was what they sang at his dad’s and Nicky’s dad’s funerals. This song is about family, their beloved departed, the ones that are still here and for all their loved ones around the world.

It was an impactful, heartfelt moment when their soulful rendition comforted our hearts. It was a poignant moment to reflect. The resounding backup vocals from the audience raised goose bumps.

While some may feel it’s a drastic twist from their usual “acapella” performances, I simply love their “Tribute to Queen” segment. How smooth Kian sounded in “I want to break free” caught us by sheer, pleasant surprise. We loved his solo on the electric guitar. It didn’t matter if their butt shaking was a little awkward.

We love how Westlife unleashed the little wild side in them. That clamping and thud-thumping during “We Will Rock You” never gets old. They did a splendid job for “We are the Champions” too.

When it was time for Encore, the silhouettes of these guys walking up the stage was Déjà vu at its best manifestation.

Clad in white suits, they looked like angels descending from heaven, when they began crooning to the all-time classic “Flying without wings”. It reminded us of them donning similar but longer-flowing white suits back in 2001.

Time has been kind to these lads-turned-dads. They are still oozing with charisma; they still make butterflies flutter in our stomachs.

The last song “World of Our Own” depicts their take on life the most. No matter what people say, they held on to their beliefs, without yielding in to allow the world to change them, but for them to build a world of their own.

Now, we are glad that they have let us back in again to their world.

Thank you Westlife for the awesome performance, swooning us with your amazing vocals & positive vibes.

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