Last Thursday, Malaysian pop singer Jasmine Leong, known to fans as
Fish Leong, released 128 balloons outside the Shanghai Grand
Stadium.
Inside the balloons are 99 tickets for couples to attend Leong's
"Today is Valentine's Day" concert on December 8.
"Although the concert won't be on the Valentine's Day this year,
I want to tell my fans that everyday could be Valentine's, when you
have the right person next to you," Leong explains.
Leong debuted in 1999 with the year's hit song "Courage," about
courage in love and especially in forbidden relationships.
Immediately rising to stardom with the song, her girl-next-door
appearance, together with her soft voice and warm attitude towards
her fans, staff and media, also won her many admirers.
Since then, Leong has continued to sing love songs about the
different stages of relationships, from first love in "Quiet
Summer" to life after a breakup in "Happy Breakup." Many of these
songs regularly top the most sung lists in karaokes.
"Fish's songs all tell stories of our everyday life. We all
experience happiness, sadness, sweet moments and desperate
feelings. I love singing her songs in karaoke. It's like singing
about my own life," notes Monica Liu in grade 12 and a typical Fish
fan.
Considered the Queen of Love Songs, Leong also features romance
in her concerts.
Last year's Shanghai concert was on Valentine's Day and featured
a merry-go-around on the stage.
The concert succeeded in creating a romantic ambience that
matched her repertoire of love songs.
A fan even leapt on stage to propose to her.
"I will present an even more romantic stage this year," the
songstress promises.
This time, the diva of sweet love songs plans to recreate five
romantic sights on the stage, including the Eiffel Tower.
She also plans to fill the stage with bright colors to indicate
the joy of relationships and the hope "that happiness can be
shared."
In return, local fans suggested the project, titled "Red Ocean,"
employed red throughout the venue, because "that's the theme color
of Fish's new album 'J'adore' and the color of passion."
Carrying on her reputation for love songs in "J'adore," Leong's
ninth studio album, Leong has adopted a sexy and individualistic
new look, especially compared to the naive imagery of her past
albums. The songs also convey more mature relationship
problems.
"I grew up and my fans grew up. We ponder upon different things
now compared to nine years ago," notes Leong. "Many fans say that
my songs give them courage, so all I can do is try even harder to
make my songs encouragement for them."
The concert also includes an acoustic session in which Leong
will sing three of her all-time favorite songs from other
singers.
Date: December 8, 7:30 pm
Venue: Shanghai Grand Stage, 1111 Caoxi Road N.
Tel: 3218-0120, 962-288
Tickets: 99 yuan (US$13.33) - 1299 yuan
(Shanghai Daily November 22, 2007)
