Newly reunited boy band Energy on S’pore fans: ‘Many are now married, brought their kids to see us’

SINGAPORE – In the early 2000s, Energy’s appearances here were marked by large numbers of security staff and, at times, chaotic situations, with some fans allegedly getting hurt.

While the Taiwanese boy band’s fans are now older and much more well behaved, their love for the idols is unchanged.

The dance-focused group’s five members – Milk, Edy, Toro, Shuwei and Kunda – were in town from Oct 4 to 6 to promote

their upcoming Nov 23 concert,

and to tuck into local food such as Hainanese chicken rice.

Speaking in Mandarin during an interview with The Straits Times on Oct 5, Kunda, 42, said of the around 350 fans who turned up at Changi Airport to welcome them the day before: “I felt so happy with their support. Many of them are now married with children, and they bought their children along.”

Toro said: “Unlike before, we can now upload our interactions with fans on social media. And looking at the crowd of fans, I was touched at their undying support.”

On the evening of Oct 5, 9,000 people attended a fan event at Our Tampines Hub, where Energy’s members signed autographs on physical and printed e-tickets to their upcoming concert, and performed numbers such as Come On (2002), Let Go (2002) and Friday Night (2024).

Over the weekend, the members also visited local attractions, such as the Merlion, to perform their “Friday Night Challenge”. This physically demanding series of 16 squat jumps is from their new song Friday Night, released in April.

Leader Milk would have liked to visit Universal Studios Singapore and Night Safari, but their tight schedule and fear of being swarmed by fans prevented them from going to some of the many attractions they had hoped to visit.

The 45-year-old said: “When doing publicity here, our team would drive us to various places, but we could not get off. It was like being on a tour bus.”

Toro has stronger ties to the Lion City, having acted in the Mediacorp swimming-themed drama series The Champion (2004).

The 43-year-old recalled filming some scenes wearing only swimming trunks, and said to his fellow band members: “I think it is best you not watch it. It was quite embarrassing, because the other actors (such as Yen Hsing-su and Qi Yuwu) had such fit bodies, with six-packs.

“So I asked the director if I could film my scenes while submerged in the water as much as possible, with just my head showing.”

The group’s upcoming Singapore Indoor Stadium show will be their first at the venue in 21 years.

Energy officially regrouped in January. But their path to reunification started with a surprise guest appearance at a concert by Taiwanese rock band Mayday in Kaohsiung in April 2023.

Shuwei, who was then busy acting in a drama serial, was the last to come on board for the performance. He eventually agreed because of the rare opportunity to do a live event again, which was also around the time of the group’s 20th anniversary.

As for reforming Energy, he acceded to the move when he realised how much the band meant to fans.

The 43-year-old said: “If our reunion can give our fans hope, motivation or a sense of direction in life, I think (reuniting) is worth a try.”

Milk said: “I think the five of us reforming is fate, and we cherish the chance to perform together. Through Energy’s reunion, I hope to share the life experiences, and lessons we have gathered, with our fans. We are like a bottle of wine – the longer you keep it out, the better it is.”

During their recent Taipei concerts in July, it seemed that only Milk executed the more challenging breakdancing moves such as backspins and holding acrobatic poses, while the other group members mainly locked, popped and shuffled.

Shuwei revealed that for him, dancing for six consecutive numbers during those concerts was a challenge. “It has been two decades when we haven’t danced consistently. But I was surprised at how quickly we managed to get our groove again,” he said.

He estimated that Energy have performed Come On and Let Go more than 100 times, and added: “I think some things are just ingrained in us. During our split, I forgot all the dance moves. But I managed to pick them up again very quickly.”

Edy admitted: “We can’t deny that we are all in our 40s, so we can’t exert ourselves like young 20somethings. That said, I really take my hat off to Milk, who is doing such difficult dance moves, he is really fighting with his life.”

Singaporean Jenny Li, who attended the fan event with some friends, said: “It brought back memories of going for their first fan-sign event at Turf City more than 20 years ago. Those were such joyful times.”

The logistics operations manager, 41, bought a Cat 2 ticket costing $238 to the concert, and plans to attend with her friends. An Energy fan since their first album Come On (2002), she added: “I am so happy, excited and grateful that they are now a five-member group again.

“Their melodies are catchy. Their lyrics are thoughtful and convey a sense of optimism and empowerment.”

Malaysian Yvonne Lim has been a fan of the group since she was nine years old. In the early 2000s, she was too young to attend Energy fan events, so the Oct 5 event was her first. The 31-year-old, who works in retail here, is also a member of the Energy Malaysia-mainland Joint Fans Club.

She said: “Energy’s music, like the song Taste Of Tears (2005), brings back many childhood memories, and listening to their music again is like rediscovering the happiness I felt as a kid.

“I attended a primary school in Johor Bahru, where lessons were taught in Malay. But because of Energy, I learnt how to speak Mandarin too. I bought a $328 VIP ticket to their concert and I can’t wait.”

Book It/2024 Energy Imminent Live in Singapore

Where: Singapore Indoor Stadium, 2 Stadium Walk
When: Nov 23, 8pm
Admission: $168 to $328 via Ticketmaster (go to

ticketmaster.sg

or call call 800-321-1678)