Concert axed...so what?

Concert axed...so what?

Two weeks ago, when news broke that US pop star Selena Gomez had abruptly axed her February concert in Singapore, I hardly batted an eyelid.

A check for public comments posted on local concert organiser Midas Promotions' official Facebook page showed that I wasn't alone in my muted reaction to the cancellation.

You'd think that going by the immense popularity Gomez enjoys among today's Internet-savvy, social media-obsessed teens, her legion of young fans would surely be up in arms over the missed opportunity to catch their idol in person.

In reality, it was far from the truth.

There were fewer than 25 comments expressing disappointment.

It is a paltry figure compared to the outpouring of rage and fury following the last-minute cancellations of pop extravaganzas 1 World Music Festival last September and MBC Korean Music Wave last November.

Both mega festivals - the former featured the likes of rappers Snoop Dogg, Iggy Azalea and Far East Movement, while the latter boasted a star-studded line-up including SHINee, Kara and Sistar - were called off with less than a week to go, much to the chagrin of ticket holders who had paid as much as $600 to see these acts.

So what explains the subdued response to Gomez's no-show? (To be fair, she wasn't targeting Singapore, her upcoming Asian and Australian dates for her Stars Dance tour were pulled so that she could "spend time on herself".)

Is it a lack of love for the dimpled former Disney actress?

Nah, it's just growing cynicism. Another one bites the dust, so what's new? To anyone who dares to refer to Singapore as a live music hub, I'd retort with a knock on his head.

If you've been keeping score you'd agree that 2013 was a fail for local concert organisers.

Compared to 2012, which saw the can- Fighters, LMFAO's RedFoo and Gym Class Heroes - there was twice that number in 2013.

Granted, many big names did make it to our shores - Aerosmith, Psy, Carly Rae Jepsen and CeeLo Green for the inaugural Social Star Awards Concerts, and Justin Bieber and Rihanna for F1 Grand Prix - but cancellations always leave a bitter taste that overshadows the successes.

Gomez, 1 World Music Festival and MBC Korean Music Wave were just three of six concerts that got the axe.

In fact, almost every music genre could not escape their fate.

Other gigs that didn't happen include Namie Amuro ( J-pop) and Cradle of Filth (heavy metal) in April, as well as double bill We Came As Romans and Crown The Empire (post-hardcore) in October.

FIASCO

While 1 World Music Festival and MBC Korean Music Wave were pulled due to financial difficulties and over-ambition on the rookie promoters' part, Amuro's controversial cancellation - which turned into a rather embarrassing "he said, she said" fiasco - simply reflected a fundamental lack of communication between local concert organisers and overseas artist management.

Powerhouse at St James Power Station's sudden refusal to host Cradle of Filth's gig due to objectionable content and "vulgarities" showed that as much as Singapore likes to bill itself as an allembracing nation, some types of music will never be widely accepted by the populace.

We can't think of ourselves as a live music hub at this rate, and seriously, it'll take a while before we can become one.

For starters, let's just strive to make 2014 a better year.

And concert promoters, if you're reading this, that means making every show happen.

M'S CONCERT WISH LIST 2014

Concert promoters, here are the artists we'd really like to see this year. Bring them in, pretty please.

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE

The 32-year-old US pop sensation and Hollywood It guy enjoyed a fantastic year, with chart-topping singles Suit & Tie and Mirrors, as well as stellar performances in movies Runner, Runner and Inside Llewyn Davis.

He also unleashed his funny side, successfully pulling off a rib-tickling sketch comedy with BFF Jimmy Fallon on Saturday Night Live.

Is there anything this dude can't do?

We'd kill to have his 20/20 Experience World Tour here!

ONE DIRECTION

These lads need not worry about ticket sales should they decide to do a live concert here.

TNP's recently-concluded Singapore's Fave Boy Band Flame Awards poll had the UK quintet coming out tops, ahead of K-pop favourites Big Bang and EXO.

Seriously, they need to come here.

We can already imagine the ensuing frenzy.

Last year, local response to their 3-D concert documentary One Direction: This Is Us as well as the 1D Day carnival at Gardens by the Bay was nothing short of fanatical.

Beyonce

We love it when our stars are unpredictable and in that department, Queen Bey takes the cake.

Last month, the 32-year-old US pop star released her new self-titled album on iTunes with nary a warning, catching the industry by surprise.

It was a gamble that paid off big time for the sexy mum of one.

Beyonce - the album - became the fastest- selling album in iTunes history, moving more than 800,000 copies in just three days. Amazing.

We can't wait for a proper full-length concert by Beyonce, who was last here in 2009 for F1 Rocks Singapore with LG.

T-ARA

With their bullying and sacking scandals finally done, K-pop's prettiest girl group are back, stronger than ever.

Their latest EP, Again, was released last October to rave reviews, with entertainment news site Kpopstarz praising the gorgeous sextet as girls "who never gave up".

Their last performance in Singapore was a charity show in 2011.

We say, it's about time for a concert here and have their local fans dancing to catchy tunes like Roly Poly and Lovey Dovey.

U2

With the refurbished 55,000-seater National Stadium - the crown jewel of the Sports Hub - slated to open its doors in April, how befitting it'll be to kick off with a concert by a legendary rock band, one that surely has no problems commanding a full-capacity crowd?

Irish veteran rockers U2, who are planning to release their new album in April (the timing is perfect!), will have audiences pumping their fists to anthems such as I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For, Walk On, and Where The Streets Have No Name.

MUST-SEE GIGS IN 2014

Concert fans, mark your calendars. Here are three shows you shouldn't miss for the world. If they don't end up being cancelled, that is...

For retro crowd...

Michael Learns To Rock Live in Singapore 2014

When: Feb 22, 7.30pm

Where: The Max Pavilion @ Singapore Expo

Rock purists tend to scoff at this Danish 90s soft-rock threesome for their schmaltzy ballads, but there's no denying their longevity and staying power.

For headbangers...

Singapore Rock Festival featuring Rob Zombie

When: March 5, 6.30pm

Where: Fort Canning Park

Acclaimed US musician and horror film director Rob Zombie (right) heads to our shores with his unique brand of industrial rockmeets- heavy metal.

He will be joined by other bands Korn, Five Finger Death Punch and Black Veil Brides at the festival.

For pop lovers...

Bruno Mars The Moonshine Jungle Tour

When: March 26, 8pm

Where: Singapore Indoor Stadium Grenade.

Just The Way You Are. Marry You. Locked Out of Heaven. When I Was Your Man. You know his hits (especially since they get played on the radio all the time), so it's time to catch the 28-year-old Hawaiian born singer-songwriter, hands down one of the most talented stars today, in his first ever live concert here.


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