Godfather of Mandopop, Harlem Yu is all set to rock Penang's SPICE Arena this Saturday.
Harlem Yu is all set to rock the SPICE Arena in Penang this Saturday night. Fondly dubbed The Godfather of Mandopop, the veteran Taiwanese singer will be staging his first ever large-scale show on the island, which will be the first stop of his I Wanna Give U World Tour.
Yu's world tour has been selling out in mainland China, where his popularity received a major boost after his 2012 and 2013 stints as one of the four celebrity judges in seasons one and two of The Voice Of China, a top-rated reality TV show which reportedly enjoys a viewership of more than 1.2 billion.
The Taipei-born singer-host said in a recent phone interview that apart from the name change, the Penang concert will comprise more or less the same elements as his most recent Taiwanese gig, which he really enjoyed.
"I spent a lot of time planning, arranging, and preparing for that gig. I had a very enjoyable time staging the show, so I want to share it with all my fans," said Yu, 53, whose last concert in Malaysia was in 2006.
Although there were some technical issues such as the stage and wirework, he hopes that can be settled before the show. "The most important thing is the music arrangement and fresh interpretations of the songs. Other elements, such as fun stuff like wirework, would be a bonus, and help to enhance the entertainment factor," added Yu, who has 15 solo albums to his name.
Fans who attend the Penang show can expect a nostalgic time with Yu belting out his favourite tunes throughout his 25 years in showbiz, including Kao Jin (Getting Closer), Rang Wo Yi Ci Ai Ge Gou (Give You All My Love), and also newer hits such as Guan Bu Diao De Yue Guang (The Moonlight That Can't Be Turned Off) from his latest Golden Melody Award-winning album Hai Xiao (Tidal Wave); and of course his wildly popular Qing Fei De Yi (Can't Help Falling In Love), the famous opening theme song of 2001 smash-hit Taiwanese TV drama Liu Xing Hua Yuan (Meteor Garden).
A fitness buff who loves mountain biking and exercises up to five times a week, Yu reckons the biggest challenge of the Penang stop would be trying not to eat too much, and said that his band members, several of whom were Malaysian and Singaporean musicians, were very excited about the cuisine in Penang.
Harlem Yu
"They have all been talking about what to eat and where to eat it; especially our band leader Chen Fei Wu, who is Malaysian. He keeps telling us that he'll take us to all these places for great tasting food," he said.
"This is a massive challenge, particularly for me. My usual diet is very simple – on weekdays, I keep to a nutritious, healthy meal plan. It's only on weekends when I'm hanging out with my friends that I actually get to eat like a normal human being!"
Asked to disclose his daily diet, Yu offered, "Normally, I eat only raw fruit and vegetables, or food that is lightly cooked plain water with minimal seasoning or oil. Meals include chicken, seafood, raw vegetables, five-grain or whole wheat bread and noodles, etc.
"Morning meals are a bigger luxury, and include eggs, chicken, seafood soup and such. In the afternoon, I usually eat only fruits. Evening meals are even simpler. I also try my best to eliminate snacking at night. But when I go out with friends, I'll eat anything and am usually not picky at all," continued Yu, who says he is ready to leave his meal plan at home, and indulge in Malaysian goodies once he touches down in Penang.
The veteran singer surprised many last month when he was hospitalised on Sept 15 for chest discomfort, then discharged on Sept 17, a day after undergoing heart surgery for cardiac dysrhythmia to correct an irregular heartbeat.
Although he has reportedly been advised to take a month of rest before resuming work, Yu nevertheless decided to continue with the Singapore leg of his tour last week, and this Saturday's Penang show.
To reassure his concerned fans, Yu recently released a clip showing his return to his usual energetic self.
> Harlem Yu I Wanna Give U World Tour 2014 in Penang, organised by AMC Live Group, will be staged at SPICE Arena (formerly known as PISA) on Oct 11 at 8pm. Tickets are available from Ticket Charge (www.ticketcharge.com.my).
Find out how you can win tickets to the concert here!
Source : http://www.thestar.com.my/Lifestyle/Entertainment/Music/News/2014/10/06/Harlem-Yu-is-ready-to-rock-you-Penang
