Stefanie Sun and JJ Lin, two of Singapore's most successful Mandarin pop exports, will join the dazzling array of stars at the upcoming Sing50 concert at the National Stadium on Aug 7.
This was announced yesterday along with other stars on the line-up of the show to celebrate Singapore's 50th birthday: global names such as Asian diva Tracy Huang, Chinese pianist Lang Lang and Apl.de.ap from American pop band The Black Eyed Peas; veterans Rahimah Rahim and X'ho; and indie stars The Oddfellows, Ling Kai and Reuby.
Tickets to the concert, costing $20 each, will go on sale on Monday (April 27).
Sun, 36, who is "very excited" to be part of the show, says: "It is a historic moment for Singaporean musicians to gather and put forth our best hits and track our progress through the decades."
She will collaborate with Golden Horse-winning local composer Ricky Ho on a special rearrangement of her best known hits.
For Rahimah, 59, the concert will be "one of the biggest shows I have ever sang in". "I am looking forward to singing at the new National Stadium for the first time," she says.
Taiwan-born Huang, 63, says that she is "very honoured" to be part of Sing50. "The concert is a very meaningful one and I am sure it will be a very emotional and memorable evening for all as we remember the good times through music from present to the past," she adds.
The new names join other stars whose participation had been announced previously: Cultural Medallion recipients Dick Lee and Jeremy Monteiro, Malay rock legend Ramli Sarip, and 1960s megastar Vernon Cornelius.
It is not just about the stars, though.
The concert will feature the participation of members of the public who successfully auditioned to be part of a 1,000-strong choir, a 100-strong orchestra, 50 pianists and 100 rappers.
Lang Lang will lead the 50 pianists, aged seven to 52, who will be accompanied by the Metropolitan Festival Orchestra. They will perform Concerto In Three Movements, a commissioned composition by Cultural Medallion recipient Kelly Tang, and a rendition of traditional folk song Geylang Si Paku Geylang.
Lang Lang, 32, who will also collaborate with Lin on the latter's hit song Clash Of The Souls, says: "It is very exciting for me musically, to be performing together with 50 talented Singaporean pianists.
"And JJ Lin is a good friend of mine and we have a great synergy combining both elements of Mandopop and classical."
In a hip-hop segment, Apl.de.ap will perform with Singapore artists Najip Ali, Sheikh Haikel, Shigga Shay, The Lion City Boy and 50 other rappers.
Lee, Rahimah, jazz singer Rani Singam, and upcoming singers Amni Musfirah and Ariadna Padron and the choir will close the show with five of Singapore's most loved songs.
The five songs, which will be revealed later, will be arranged by music director and composer Indra Ismail, younger brother of the late composer Iskandar, one of Singapore's most accomplished musicians.
The two-hour concert, organised by The Straits Times and The Business Times, is expected to draw 45,000 people.
Patrick Chng, frontman of 1990s indie icons The Oddfellows, says that he is glad to be part of a line-up that spans several generations of Singapore musicians. The 47-year-old says: "It's mind-blowing to think that we will part such a big show."
Mapletree Investments, Resorts World Sentosa and Zurich Insurance are the main sponsors of the show, produced by The RICE Company Limited and supported by Steinway Gallery Singapore.
Zurich will donate $5 to The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund and The Business Times Budding Artists Fund for every member of the audience at the Sing50 concert.
Book it
Sing50
Where: National Stadium
When: Aug 7
Admission: $20 tickets will be on sale on Monday (April 27) at Singapore Indoor Stadium's Box Office or any SingPost outlets. Alternatively, go to www.sportshubtix.sg, or call 3158-7888
Info: www.sing50concert.sg/
Other musicians to perform are:
Malay "pop yeh-yeh" stalwart Jeffrydin
Indian music veteran Mohamed Bashir
Tabla guru M.S. Maniam
Rock singer Douglas Oliveiro
Jazz songbirds Jacintha Abisheganaden and Melissa Tham
Pop-rock singer Wendi Koh
Singing mentor Babes Conde
Pop-rock duo Jack and Rai
Indie rock and roll band The Pinholes
Rising pop singer WilTay
Funk singer/musician Dru Chen
