My first experience of a “concert” was probably when I accompanied Chen Ni for a mini showcase by Jimmy, a teen singer from Taiwan years ago. For someone who doesn't know his songs and having to wait hours...i meant many many hours at the door was...pushing my limits. Yes, we didn’t have to pay but... the waiting. :-p I told myself I should be more selective in free stuff in the future. Haha.
A few years ago, there was a string of concerts and I happily attended quite a few. I was trying to remember all the mini showcases but can’t recall much, so the following are concerts including the latest that I went yesterday.
Jim Brickman (23rd March 2002 at Arena of Stars, Genting)
I won tickets for this concert and went with Jee Ing. I can't even remember exactly what I did to win. It was really fun. Jim was really good. Everything he played was so effortless. OH, and we get to sit on the first row, VIP seats!
Linkin Park (15th Oct 2003 at Stadium Merdeka)The only concert I paid for. That was after many attempts at the different contests. So in the end I cheated and ask my mum (who was working for a recording company then) to get me the inner circle tickets. Haha. I had to pay but I didn't have to wait in line like crazy. The concert was a blast! Wish it was longer. I managed to squeeze my way pretty near to the front. Jee Ing and I almost lost each other!
Mariah Carey (20th Feb 2004 at Stadium Merdeka)I won free tickets from a contest for Mariah too. Who else to bring to this concert other than her biggest fan, Mei Peng. We were seated in the free seating area so we suffered quite a bit in the process of getting into the stadium. The downside about the concert was the delayed because some certain royalty decided to come late. And we were told to give standing respect as he/she entered the stadium. Yah, thanks for making Mariah and us wait! Because of certain rules imposed on Mariah, she did the whole concert in one attire.
Incubus (16th Mar 2004 at Bukit Kiara Indoor Arena)This was interesting. We got some “vendor” passes from BK and being bold, we went across all the restricted area and no one stop us! Haha. Had a good view from an elevated area. No smelly, pushing crowds.
Blue (28th Sep 2004 at Bukit Kiara Indoor Arena)Got free tickets for this. Can’t remember how. :-p Am not a fan so stood quite far back. Else I’ll be squished by the high pitch, screaming, crazy fans.
Switchfoot (2nd Feb 2008 at KL Convention Centre)Somebody belanja me to watch! Can’t remember why. Maybe I did a favour. Hahaha. This was really good too. Probably the only concert venue that people won’t sweat. The hall was freezing cold when we entered. Unfortunately, I felt the organizers didn’t promote this concert enough. Most people didn’t know that they were here for a concert and I believe the crowd could have been much larger. We arrived late (the opening act was already performing) and yet we were quite front. I wasn’t complaining but I would think that they have more fans in Malaysia. Besides, the tickets were much more affordable than other concerts.
A Mei (20th Mar 2009 at Bukit Jalil National Stadium)Thanks to Andrea for the the free ticket! After my 1st experience with the Taiwanese singer, I was a little reluctant. Again, I’m not a fan, my mandarin is not great. And this is not Jacky Cheung. But, I haven’t been to a concert for a long time and this is FREE! Hehe. No regrets! A Mei is the current most popular Taiwan female singer. I must confess, I can't even recite a single chorus of her song but she is very good. Hi-energy, non-stop performance for 3 hours with many quick change of attire. There aren’t that many Chinese singers with big and unique voice. She deserves to be the Diva of the Mandarin world.
