Big in S'pore

Korean superstars Big Bang proved that they are the kings of K-pop once again.

And going by their standout two-night 2015 World Tour [MADE] In Singapore concert over the weekend, it looks like they will be hanging on to this title for a little while longer, thank you very much.

The talented five-member A-list boy band, consisting of T.O.P, G-Dragon, Taeyang, Seungri and Daesung (inset), who are all in their 20s, performed at the Singapore Indoor Stadium to a sell-out crowd of 10,000 fans each night on Saturday and Sunday.

The [MADE] World Tour, which will also take them to Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia and Taiwan, is in support of their album MADE, which will be officially launched in September.

From May until the launch, the group, who were last here for a full concert in 2012, are releasing two songs on the first day of every month.

Big Bang's energetic two-and-a-half-hour sets came complete with addictive tunes, impressive vocals and sleek dance moves.

Here are the highlights from the first night:

BIG ON INTROS

The show literally started and ended with a bang as the quintet, dressed to impress in stylish red leather jackets, opened with one of their latest chart-topping hits Bang Bang Bang, released last month.

The dance track got the audience on their feet, singing and waving their yellow crown lightsticks in unison with the thumping beat.

They closed with the same song, ending the concert on a high.

Student Sandra Wong, 21, said: "This is my favourite song (out of) their new singles (from MADE). It is very catchy and gets me in the party mood instantly.

"I think it's even better than (their other big hit) Fantastic Baby.

"Big Bang is just so good, especially when it comes to live performances."

BIG ON BALLADS

Big Bang may be famous for their catchy dance tracks, but it is the slow songs that really capture their fans' hearts.

The idols showed that they are more than just a bunch of good-lookers as they belted out touching acoustic renditions of their 2008 tracks Lies and Haru Haru, showing off their wide vocal ranges.

During the performance of emotional love song If You, which was released this month, fans illuminated the stadium with light from their mobile phones and sang the chorus in deafening unison with the members - a sound and sight to behold.

Civil servant Wendy Teo, 31, said: "It's very unlike Big Bang to come up with such a sad song, but it's amazing when they do.

"When they were singing it on stage, I felt goosebumps."

BIG ON SOLOS

The guys also got to show off their individual talents too, as each took to the stage to perform his own hit.

During Seungri's party track, Let's Talk About Love, G-Dragon and Taeyang surprised everyone by joining in midway, causing the fans to scream.

But it was Taeyang's live rendition of his 2014 award-winning slow song Eyes, Nose, Lips, which stole the show, as fans sang along loudly, knowing every word by heart.

Leader G-Dragon's stage presence was overwhelming when he came on with Taeyang for their collaboration dance hit, Good Boy, rapping his verses with maximum swagger.

BIG ON CHARM

Big Bang debuted in 2006 not knowing a word of English or Mandarin, but they are now able to impress local fans by speaking the languages fluently without the help of a translator.

Crowd-pleaser Seungri rattled off Chinese words non-stop, saying "Singaporean girls are the prettiest!" and "I love Singapore fans the most!"

Taeyang added in English: "Singapore is one of my favourite countries in the world, I miss you all a lot."

Ms Huang Wenting, 25, said: "Seungri was the funniest, he cannot stop talking.

"But we like him because of his bubbly personality... while Taeyang is always very sincere on stage. I like Big Bang because they are very real."

The HR executive added: "They are so cool on stage, yet they are very friendly and do not put on airs.

jocelee@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on July 20, 2015.
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