Jacky Cheung 60th Concert Tour 张学友60+巡回演唱会- 12th August 2023 (Axiata Arena Malaysia)

 

It’s been a challenge securing tickets after the pandemic. When it comes to Jacky Cheung, you know this is going to be a Herculean task requiring enormous luck although there are 6 shows in total.

Lady luck was smiling upon me as I managed to purchased 2 tickets after queueing for about ½ hour.  The icing on the cake is snapping tickets on the much sought after Saturday night slot ! Since Jacky had a grand total of 11 shows in Singapore, many Malaysians harbored the hope that  Jacky would add another 3 shows (to make it 9) but their dreams were dashed.  Malaysia is his third world tour stop, after Macau and Singapore. 

 Jacky was apologetic about kicking off the concert at 8.08 pm instead of 8 pm.  Apparently, this perfectionist starts his concerts on the dot at 8 pm!  Jacky divulged that he suffered from Vertigo since he was a toddler but never had any attacks during his past 10 concert tours. This time was an exception as ½ hour prior to the show, he started having dizzy spells. He contemplated calling off the shows but by then, most spectators are already at the venue.  So, Jacky soldiered on despite his condition since he felt that it wouldn’t impact his performance much (only a little less steady when dancing) but vocal wise, he still sang in perfect rich baritone. Afterall, he was still able to carry out the signature full split pose on stage. No mean feat for a 62 year old dude.  However, the following night (Sunday’s performance), it was clear that he had not recovered when he lost his balance and slipped while performing.  This incident quickly went viral in Asia social media.

 The concert was backed by 74 orchestra ensemble and 20 ballerinas.  Jacky painstakingly introduced each musician by their full name (in both Mandarin and Cantonese). Jacky said in jest that if he could recall all their names in his spinning and swaying state, he is bound to remember their names for life! Although it wasn’t a four sided stage set-up like his previous concert, the layout and visual are still pretty stimulating.  Having the musicians on the four-storey structure was brilliant and  innovative, especially with the rain backdrop when Jacky is crooning “分手总要在雨天”. Jacky also proudly revealed that the lead guitarist is from Malaysia !

 The concert props consists of a blue mini vintage car (where Jacky strutted around with the dancers in a hip black jacket) and he also burst onto stage in broad way style performance of “Double Trouble”.  Fans were also treated to massive LED screens with video montage of him and Taiwanese actress, Shu Qi, plus image morphing of kiddo Jacky to old geezer Jacky.  Jacky reminded fans not to be fixated about age and turning 60 is no big deal as he is a shining example of breaking the barriers even after breaching the big 60.  Jacky was visibly moved by the extra warm reception and thunderous applause of fans who kept cheering him on whenever he expressed regrets for not being in his top form that night.  He disclosed whenever he performs in Malaysia, he always feel like he is having a fans gathering due to the exceptional response.  He hopes everyone continues to stay healthy and look forward to see everybody again during his next concert. Jacky ended his concert with a rock version of “吻别”.  The only grouse I have about this concert is he dropped most of his greatest hits from his repertoire and opted for less familiar songs. 

曲目：留住这时光、Oh La La、马路英雄、情不禁、我应该、等你等到我心痛、深海、三天两夜、交叉算了、Double Trouble、楼上来的声音、没有童话时、日出时让街灯安睡、又十年、Bumble Bee Music、天气那么热、想劈酒、杀那爱、岁月留情、分手总要在雨天、只想一生跟你走、爱是永恒、过敏世界、李香兰、她来听我的演唱会、我等到花儿也谢了、吻别