Concert review: Andy Lau cannot get enough of Singapore fans at first concert here in five years

Today... Is The Day Andy Lau Concert Tour – Singapore

Singapore Indoor Stadium Oct 10

For Andy Lau, absence makes the heart grow fonder.

At the first of his four concerts at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Oct 10, he made it clear to the 8,000-strong audience where his heart has been, since last performing at the same venue in 2019, during his My Love Andy Lau World Tour.

“Long time no see,” said the 63-year-old. “I have missed you. I’m so glad to be back in Singapore.”

At times waving, holding his fists triumphantly and blowing kisses to the crowd, the Hong Kong singer-actor performed with joy and passion, as if to family he had not seen in a while.

He said excitedly at one point: “I will listen to all your applause and cries. If you call for Andy Lau, I will dedicate this song to you. I love you.”

The Heavenly King – whose wife is former Malaysian model Carol Chu, with whom he shares a 12-year-old daughter, Hanna – even jokingly remarked a number of times that he would “marry” the crowd.

His 165-minute show – part of his Today... Is The Day tour – started on a joyous note with a dance version of Mandarin number Today (1995), about seizing the day and celebrating the present. Dressed in a grey suit and standing on a platform, he struck a confident figure against a backdrop of lights and supported by 24 backup dancers.

These dancers took Lau’s hits to the next level with their well co-ordinated movements and impeccable choreography.

On the ballad Nobody Could Be Like You (1993), they arranged themselves in the shape of an eye with Lau in the centre, suggesting he is the apple of his fans’ eyes. On Stupid Child (1998), their energetic gestures brought an added sense of liveliness to the playful tune, about a happy-go-lucky man in the big city.

Lau’s concerts typically feature a segment heavy on Chinese culture and traditional music, and Oct 10 was no exception. On the grand-sounding Chinese People (1997), he donned white robes befitting of an emperor against a wall of Chinese characters, while an awe-inspiring dragon made from balloons flew across the stage.

Of course, the superstar’s famous ballads were also given their time to shine. His iconic Forget Love Potion (1994) was performed against swirling particles, which took the shape of temples and pavilions.

Fans were also treated to the moving number Destiny (1994), which did not make the set list during his last Singapore tour. It was performed this time on one of two moving extensions of the stage, which transported Lau closer to the audience.

The concert had its classy moments too, such as when Lau appeared in a white tuxedo and sang an a cappella version of There Is Only You In My Heart (1999), supported by six backup singers.

To please his female fans, there was the tender love song You Are My Woman (1998). And for the men, he had the dramatic and powerful It’s Not A Crime For A Man To Cry (2000).

Lau closed his concert on a pensive note with Forever True (1995), the same song which closed his My Love concerts five years ago.

Its lyrics – “I can’t see, I can’t hear, the everlasting promise/I only see and hear the lingering love I once had” – seemed to thank his fans for all the support they have shown him over the decades.