The Conscious Beat

Flight of The Night Owl - 25th July 2008

2008-07-31T00:37:00.006+08:00

Last friday, Jan and I attended this event rather aptly named "Flight of The Night Owl" which was part of the Night Festival. First got wind of it from a postcard and I even thought of assembling some team to join the night race (me and my sudden outbursts of spontaneity) but thank god it didn't materialize in the end. I saw the various teams racing here and there between the museums that night and it dawned upon me that I just wanted to have a placid, relaxing night in the company of someone who has the same appreciation for museums etc. and the other reason being, I'm just lacking in that sort of exuberance.

So how did it go? All the museums were opened for free admission to the public from 6pm to 2am that night. My initial idea was to visit all of them but we ended up going to 3. In the end, I went to explore the Singapore Philatelic Museum on my own when waiting for Jan to end class. I've never been there before and I thought, I just had to. Its quite a small place where you get to learn about the history and meaning behind stamps and well, if you are an avid stamp collector, you'll get to see some nifty collection of stamps from all over the world! There is a section of the exhibition room whereby you can view stamp collections country by country and its interesting to see the ideas each nationality comes up with. Come to think of it, I think there was a period of time during my childhood when I did collect stamps but the sticker phase outlasted the former. I didn't particularly enjoy this visit because there were the fast and furious teams looking for clues here and there and it was distracting. Love the pretty ceiling decorations though and got some lovely Vietnamese bookmarks for souvenirs. You'll thought I should get stamps but nah..nothing caught my fancy.

The Peranakan Museum, which was a stone throw away, was bustling with people as well. There was an English tour going on. Well, you could actually sign up for the hourly tours conducted in the various museums but we decided to go free and easy. The galleries and exhibitions, which span three storeys of the former Tao Nao School, took us through the history of Peranakan people and their way of life. The collection gave us glimpses of their origins, marriage practices, textiles, cuisine and dining ware, religion etc. The interesting part for me was getting acquainted with their culture (the lavish wedding ceremony!) and glimpsing the dedication of their tradition embodied in their intricately designed porcelains, jewellery and furniture. Besides the permanent exhibitions, there is another highlight going on called Junk to Jewels: The things that Peranakans value. We didn't really browse as meticulously for this section but basically its just some of the artefacts that tell a story of being a Peranakan.

Our next stop was The National Museum of Singapore where we were greeted by a night bazaar hawking lovingly made beaded toys to snacks served by the Rendevous Hotel. Just across the road, some electro-rock fusion music reveberated from the stage set up at the SMU compound for The Beatnik Picnic by Zouk. We agreed bossa nova or acid chill out would have been a better choice. Met my primary school friend while browsing the stalls at the bazaar and I thought it was pretty incredible that she recognized me. Its been more than a decade since we last saw each other? But once she came up to me...I sort of knew who she might be. Jan was awe-strucked by the white light projection that was part of a light installation exhibit by The Electric Canvas, a lighting specialist company from Sydney. They did a marvellous, unprecedented job I would say, transforming our dear Nat Mus into a willing canvas for a kaleidoscopic array of visual spectacular. Thanks to the inspiring perseverance of Jan, we managed to get all the different facades on camera!

Inside the museum, another spectacular (of some sorts) greeted us. Well, this Greek inspired sculpture (I later learnt its Surrounding David by Titarubi), in a striking hue of pink and purple bits, was standing tall and huge in all his naked glory. Even non-shutterbugs could not resist as people whipped out their digital, mobile phones and some tried to squeeze into the picture as well. Amidst the throngs of people. I must really emphasized the word throngs. It is the first time I actually seen the museum, any museum, this crowded and it was like 11pm. It was actually quite a refreshing sight. Families big and small. Non-sleepy kids. Couples. The elderly. After work professionals. Girly cliques. Avid photographers. Some even brought their pet dogs and for a moment, I really thought they allowed dogs free admission too. I honestly didn't think this event would be such a hit but it was.

Anyway, back to the interior exhibits which I have to say was pretty disappointing for me. Granted that this is not Tate or Lourve...I did expect something more other than the usual suspects. Something electic and more than what people would expect. There are the 5 main galleries showing Singapore's history, film, food, photography and fashion. A photography exhibition going on at the back but too many people to really gawk and let the images sink in. We decided to give this visiting exhibition about electronic or was it digital arts a miss so I dont know if we missed out. Back outside, it was the people that once again captivated me. The idea that art or heritage or culture has that ability to bring people together and in flocks they came. We had missed the photo opportunity for the white canvas projection so we decided to just sit and wait and take in the atmosphere.

Once again, it was about the people. Earlier on, as I tried to manoeuver a tricky steep little incline on a muddy patch, I was trying to maintain my balance and not fall backwards. It was just that moment. You lose your balance and you die...of embarrassment. And thank god some good Samaritan...seeing me teetering in the mud decided to offer me his hand and of course, I grabbed it. In my fluster, I forgot if I actually thank him properly but I was really grateful. Like I was going woah woah woah in my head and he actually could sense it or see it and saved me from a potentially disgraceful fall.

Later, while I was happily chomping on a fish burger and Jan nibbling on a chicken wing, a caucasian walked by...caught my eye and smiled with a twinkle in his eye. Subsequently, he actually came up to offer his help while we were trying to take a shot of ourselves rather unsuccessfully. Jim, as he introduced himself, is a Maths teacher and a visitor from Hawaii. You know the thing that never fails to amaze me about Westerners is how friendly and warm they can be, even if they are not in their own country. We chatted awhile and he told us we should visit the Garden Festival happening at Suntec. "You girls should go" he encouraged and it was just super ironic that he was telling it to us when it should be the other way round. He left with a smile and a "I'll see you again" firm handshake.

It just made me wonder, will our paths ever cross again? Is this world really that small and fate such a big part to play? Why did we meet Jim from Hawaii and not Javier from Peru? Because for that moment, I got acquainted with a total stranger who surprised us with his friendliness and maybe it was all that made the difference. As the majestic neo-classical building stood with its usual stoic white walls bathed in magical multi-faceted colours, I realized it was a different beautiful picture, of heritage standing majestic and proud from the attention of the adoring crowds.

Madam Saigon

2008-07-22T20:20:00.005+08:00

The inviting exterior of Madam Saigon. Don't be fooled by the open doors, its actually quite cooling inside.

Complimentary Vietnamese spring rolls.

The simple garnishing adds life to the dish.

Or, you can choose to have it plain.

My classmate has been raving about this place that sells Vietnamese beef noodles for quite a few times and we finally got to try it last month. We were in the Bugis vicinity (known for its eateries along Prinsep and Liang Seah Street) and after browsing the eateries along the five-foot-walkways, decided to settle in the homely, boutique-like eatery that looks inviting enough from the outside.

You can tell the owner has put in meticulous thought and effort in refurbishing the place with a theme that reflects the type of cuisine it offers, opting for bold red Oriental woodwork and typical chinese plaque embossed with the eatery's name on the outside and the display of Vietnamese artworks and craft for the interior.

Madam Saigon, as the name insinuates, sells Vietnamese food and according to my friend, is reknown for their beef pho, which is essentially beef noodles in soup. The thing I never expected was meeting my former manager (during my waitressing stint) at this eatery. As usual, he had his winsome smile and his hospitality was efficacious. One of the most important elements of having a good dining experience (anywhere) is the service and the manager plays a crucial role, not only in looking after the running of the eatery and inculcating a certain service standard in the crew but also setting a good example of attending to the needs of the customers and ensuing that their whole experience is enjoyable. And its really hard to find people who are passionate, sincere and level-headed about service. Well, I think my former manager is one of those people who fit the bill and he made it fun to work under him.

Both Jan and I ordered the eatery's famous beef pho ($8+) and my former manager gave us a complimentary serving of spring rolls (nice!). The spring rolls, dipped in the special sauce that came with it was not bad, nothing exceptional about it though. On the other hand, I really dig the beef noodles. The dish came in a reasonable proportion, with a generous side serving of bean sprouts and fresh leaves which you can choose to add into the piping hot noodles. The clear broth looked healthy and the taste though mild, was distinct enough and my tastebuds were satisfied. The kway teow noodles were smooth and the beef was tender.

Madam Saigon is a no frills sort of place that will satisfy anyone in search of a simple Vietnamese meal and most importantly, this craving will not burn a hole in your pocket :)

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Address:
Madam Saigon
30 Liang Seah Street
Tel: 6333-9798
Website: www.madamsaigon.com
Opening Hours: 11.30am - 3pm (lunch); 6 - 11pm (dinner)
Sundays & public holidays 12 - 4pm (lunch); 5.30pm - 11pm (dinner)
Cuisine: Vietnamese, Indochinese
Price: $10 - $20 per pax
Dresscode: casual
Food: 7/10
Service: 8/10
Ambience: 7/10

Review: Away From Her

2008-06-24T01:25:00.000+08:00

The other type of surprise I'm talking about, other than self-exploration or discovery, is what other people may bring into your life when they commit endearing acts such as sending you a surprise parcel. In a convenience and pace driven era such as now, whereby sending an sms or an email is the norm as opposed to a proper conversation over the phone or a painstakingly hand-written letter, I really feel the loss of the times of indulging in a long phone chat or the enthusiasm of exchanging snail mail. Needless to say, cards (and I don't mean e-cards) recieved have been increasingly scant.

Imagine my surprise when I recieved a parcel just a week ago sent by a friend who thinks I ought to see Away From Her (without anymore procrasination). J is an old world type, someone whom I think also believes in the value of written communication and one managed by postal services.

I had wanted to catch Away From Her when it was still showing @ The Picturehouse but for some reason, didn't. This indie film, which is a screenplay adaptation of author Alice Munro's short story The Bear Came Over The Mountain is directed by canadian Sarah Polley (who acted in Go! and Dawn of The Dead). And there are reasons why this film was included in many top movie critics' top 10 films of 2007.

The film begins by introducing us to the protaganists Grant (Gordon Pinsent) and Fiona (the Oscar-nominated Julie Christie) who have been married for 50 years and are currently basking in their golden years, or so it seems. The affection, comfort and understanding they have for each other is acute and tangible, such that one look says it all. Even silence speaks in their presence. Such is the powerful performances that both actors have portrayed...they make old age seems so loving and tender and something to look forward to. However, Fiona is suffering from Alzheimer's disease and as the days progress, her memory deteriorates fast and the couple is confronted with the fact that she would have to seek treatment and care.

Though she can't bear to leave him as much as he can't bear to lose her, Fiona makes a decision, while she is still conscious, to enter Meadowlake a retirement home for Alzheimer's sufferers so as to take the burden off from Grant and lessen his pain of watching her fade away. Grant is devastated at the thought of losing Fiona both physically and mentally but he accepts her decision, hoping for the best. Conversations between the two also hints at an unresolved tension that is the result of Grant previous infidelity but also at the gratitude on Fiona's part that he did not walk away.

After 30 days of not seeing each other due to a hospital's rule, Grant excitedly visits Fiona only to find that she does not seem to recall who he is and has even develop affections for another resident of the home. He is shattered at first but subsequently, it is his devotion and love towards Fiona that helps him to cope. We learn that self-sacrifice is sometimes necessary in order to secure the happiness of someone you love. I will not disclose too much of the plot and I highly recommend you go see it for yourself.

A powerful, inspiring story that shines a spotlight on Alzheimer's Disease, Away From Her is an honest but heart-wrenching take on the plight of sufferers and their loved ones. But the heart of this beautiful movie is how it showcases the essential foundations of marriage and how aging can be beautiful and graceful. Watch out for the brillant cinematography too! 9/10

Lovely DeArt

2008-05-16T02:00:00.003+08:00

Lovely DeArt - 24/2/2008

Photos property of The Conscious Beat.

One of my family's all-time favourite hangout place is Thomson Plaza, the shopping mall where I used to frequent with my family as a child and which I have a lot of fond memories of. It has gone through many changes over the winding years since its halycon Yaohan days and if you do pop by for a visit now, you might be surprised to discover that despite being overhauled and succumbing to commercialism like other old shopping centres, it has retain some of its old world charm.

Sure, you'll find that well-known names like Thai Express, Sushi Tei, Home-DIY, Video-EZY and Starbucks have set up shop there but there is also a scatter of novelty shops that keeps the place special. One of the shops, aptly named Lovely DeArt, is a quaint little place that specializes in handicraft furnitures, decorative ceramics and porcelains, and fancy quilts and laces. The feeling when you step into the shop is a mix of awe and delight, as you gaze at the beautiful individual pieces painstakingly arranged together and soak in Victorian glamour and country nostalgia.

If I don't consider the amount of cleaning I'll have to do, I'll be busy buying such decoratives for our house or my future apartment. This is a place worthy a find for people who love all things quaint!

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Address:

Lovely DeArt

301 Upper Thomson Road

#02-16 Thomson Plaza

Singapore 574408

Tel: 6455 1282

Email: lydeart@yahoo.com.sg
Darkmuze Remarks: Good place to visit if you are thinking of revamping your place with a homely Victorian theme.

The Coffee Connoiseur - Citylink Branch

2008-05-15T00:47:00.001+08:00

Club Sandwich ($12.50) - Egg Mayo and Cajun Chicken Breast.

Ultimate Hazelnut Frappe ($7.50)

Green Apple Twist ($6.20)

Macaroni Gratin ($10.80) - Mushroom, Chicken Ham and Diced Chicken

Unearthing the goodness of macaroni and cheese!

Best eaten piping hot! (Looking @ this makes me crave for the dish!)

Beef Mozza-Tofu ($9.80) served on a musical platter.

Dark Devotion ($9.90) - Chocolate cake, vanilla Ice-cream and summer berries.

Light Strawberry Mousseline ($6.90) - mousse + strawberries

I remember thinking to myself that since it was my best friend's birthday, we'll gonna treat her to somewhere/something special. Not the usual repetitive eatery you'll find at every mall. In the end, as Hailey was around too, we decided to rest that adventurous spirit and settle at TCC @ Citylink, which turned out to be a pretty enjoyable experience. I guess for us ultimately, it is the company that matters.

Amongst all the coffee joints, The Coffee Connoisseur has left quite an indelible impression on me due to the fact that they have managed to expand so rapidly from an unknown name to a leading local coffee chain which can rival the internationally reknown Starbucks in reputation and quality. I recall visiting one of TCC's first outlets @ Millenia Walk, surveying the hip decor and luxurious coffee selection and thinking that whoever behind this concept is bold and perhaps too confident about the future of TCC. I guess I should be eating my words because the very astute management has managed to develop TCC into a popular chillout destination well-known for its gourmet coffee and hip decor. Starting with only 2 boutiques in 2003, the chain has since expanded to 28 (they are referred to as) boutiques. To me, its not as easy as Starbucks adding a few more outlets because if you notice, the interior design of each boutique is unique, avant-garde, meticuously chosen and true to the brand's artistic philosophy. Sitting at any of its outlets without even drinking its coffee is an enjoyable visual treat itself!

Although the outlet @ Citylink is located indoors (next to MPH and opposite the H20 boutique), you have a choice between sitting at the more private area inside or the outside whereby you can gawk at the steady stream of crowd between Suntec/Marina Square and CityHall MRT. With not much of a preference, we plonked ourselves on a firm white coloured sofa near the glass door.

YL ordered the club sandwich ($12.50) which seemed like quite a decent proportion and from which I helped to finish the strange tasting chips (tapioca?). LG had the marcaroni gratin ($10.80), a combination of mushroom, chicken ham and diced chicken which she gave the thumbs up to, as well as the green apple twist ($6.20). This must have been the third time I've gone for the beef mozza tofu ($9.80) , a delightful light dish of silky tofu with suki yaki sauce and minced beef beneath melt-in-your-mouth mozzarella cheese, which I'll probably never get sick of. If there is one dish you should try @ TCC, it should be this. The ultimate hazelnut frappe ($7.50) has a distinctive hazelnut taste that is not too sweet and the desserts that we shared, the dark devotion ($9.90) and light strawberry Mousseline ($6.90) was pretty standard dessert fare (not bad but nothing much to rave about).

One thing I have to say about TCC is the effort they are willing to put into their presentation, which is one of their selling points and representative of their passion for art. Looking at the pretty arrangement of the food not only makes it look good to eat but also elevates the enjoyment of the whole dining experience (something which you usually get at fine dining places). For that, for their extensive range of gourmet coffee concoctions (which not even Starbucks or Coffee Bean can match) and for the friendly service we recieved @ the Citylink outlet, I give TCC props!

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Address:

1 Raffles Link #B1-26

Citylink Mall

Singapore 039393

Phone : 6423 1022

http://www.thecoffeeconnoisseur.com/

Opening Hours: Sunday to Thursday & Public Holidays - 9am to 11pm Friday, Saturday & Eve of Public Holidays - 9am to 12am

Cuisine: Western

Price: approx $10 - $25 per pax
Dresscode: relaxed

Darkmuze's Overall Rating: 7.5/10

Remark: Good place to chill after shopping and to people-watch in air-conditioned comfort!

IndoChine Waterfront - 3rd March 2008

2008-05-13T02:31:00.004+08:00

Stunning view of Boat Quay from Indochine Waterfront.

Chicken Basil with mint leaves as a delectable accompaniment.

The exquisite interior that screams chic!

This review is late but I simply have to post about it just to kick off my recent flurry of dining escapades. What I love about my eating adventures is how unpredictable they can be most of the time. Although budget and location are important considerations, sometimes my companions and I just end up at the most unexpected places and getting our tastebuds gastronomically stimulated as a reward. I'm no food critic but yeah, I love to share food reviews...especially when the dining experience is incredible!

So back to Indochine. Now I've heard about this famous entertainment lifestyle group before courtesy of generous press coverage and that square brochure which always comes with a copy of Juice. Even without experiencing any of the outlets or sampling any of its menus, the name "Indochine" gives off a chi-chi vibe and in my impression, is a place where I wouldn't visit unless I'm feeling the impulsiveness to splurge. In addition, the idea of mixing around with high-class executives and rich pple (no offense) isn't exactly my cup of tea (not that I can afford to anyway).

Inspired by his passion for food, entertaining and design, the ingenious and ambitious commodities trader turned food entrepreneur Mr Michael Ma founded the Indochine Group in 1999. Mr Ma, who was born in Laos in 1967, saw that that was a potential market for Laotian and Vietnamese food which was previously not available in Singapore. The first outlet Indochine Club Street was opened in 1999 and in a short 9 years, the group has expanded to include a diverse range of 14 restaurants/clubs/lounges in 5 prime locations in Singapore, as well as venues in Kuala Lumpur, Hamburg, New Delhi and Phuket. This business achievement alone is mind-boggling, not to mention the numerous accolades and awards the group has recieved in dining/experience/design, including being voted as one of Travel and Leisure's top 100 Fabulous Places and Things in 2001 and most significantly, being the choice destination for glamourous social events.

So you wonder? How did I, someone who isn't exactly into such fancy places, stumble into this place let alone taste its exquisite fare (lols). The trip began as innocuously enough when my companion EZ and I decided to have dinner @ nearby Timbre@ Arts House, thanks to my brillant suggestion, only to find out after the valet parked the car that this Timbre doesn't serve the delectable main course seen on Timbre's website. They only serve pizzas, finger food and booze as the waitress politely tells us. Not willingly to change location, we wander across to the next available option - which happens to be Tadah! Indochine Waterfront.

Chucking aside its chi-chi reputation, I actually dig this place for its atmosphere and decor. My other companions and I would have chosen to chill here on previous occasions if not for the price deterrant. Anyway, EZ tells me he dined @ Indochine Waterfront before and it was a memorable experience and I decided I should just give it at least a shot, so in we went.

We chose to sit inside but found out later that the alfresco setting was fully booked. With a breathtaking and romantic view of the river after sunset accentuated by live Jazz performances, it is no wonder that the alfresco area is so popular with regulars. So do remember to make reservations if you wanna sit outside. But the interior atmosphere ain't shabby as well. The decor is distinctively contemporary yet with a delightful nod to the Oriental with Buddha statues, rich saffron and burgundy hued drapes and antique cabinets contrasted with gleaming steel chairs. The other word to describe this place is luxurious, with its glittering chandeliers and dark leather chairs. The lighting is kinda dim though, perhaps to make the ambience more cozy, but it makes it quite difficult to see the food you are consuming.

The lack of visual stimulation shouldn't be much of a complain considering how amazing the food tasted. We ordered fried tofu, the basil chicken and the tom-yum seafood soup from the Vietnamese-Laotian-Cambodian-French fusion menu. My favourite dish has to be the basil chicken which tasted so homely with the addition of herbs and spices. The tofu was crispy on the outside, soft on the inside and one of the best fried tofus I've ever tasted. You can choose how spicy you want your tom-yum soup to be but I would suggest that you go for the max because we chose the not-too-spicier version and it tasted more tomato-ish, which doesn't give the kick that good-tom-yam soup should provide. Even the rice (refillable from a basket which server carries around) tasted extraordinary and really yummy of course.

EZ was really generous to give me a treat and I really owe my first Indochine dining experience to him! Would I go back again? Definately yes. For the basil chicken and white rice and for the other highlights I've yet to try..oh and when I'm feeling rich. The service was excellent as well. The staff knew the food well and they were attentive without being intrusive. Indochine Waterfront is one place that proves that good food does come with a price!

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Address:
IndoChine Waterfront
Asian Civilisation Musuem, The Historic District
1 Empress Place
63391720 (Reservations strongly encouraged)
http://www.indochine.com.sg/
Opening Hours: 12 - 230pm and 6.30 - 11pm from Sun to Thurs/
til midnight Fri - Sat
Cuisine: Vietnamese/Laotian/ Cambodian/ French Fusion
Price: approx $30 - $60 per pax
Dresscode: Smart Casual
Darkmuze's Rating: 8.5/10
Darkmuze's Remark: Good place for business dinner or a great place to impress your first date!!

Chinatown Walk 2008

2008-03-16T00:07:00.001+08:00

Night walk around Chinatown - 19 Feb 2008

All photos property of The Conscious Beat.

Singapore Airshow 2008

2008-03-15T01:13:00.003+08:00

Singapore Airshow Trade Day - Feb 24th 2008

All Photos property of The Conscious Beat.

Incubus @ Fort Canning Park - 7 March 2008

2008-03-12T13:28:00.008+08:00

Lights! Camera! Transaction! The Incubus concert kicked off at 9pm sharp, after opening band Saosin from California psyched the crowd up with a one hour set and the obligatory waiting for the rock stars. I haven't heard of Saosin (don't you just love the pronounciation?) before until the media started to give them some attention but they definately had their own fans out there in the sea of Incubus fanatics. People who were already jumping and mouthing lyrics to their brand of emo hardcore rock.

Speaking of the fans, what a crowd I'm telling you. We reached Fort Canning a little past 8pm and the sloping grassy area before the stage was already packed to the brim. And so I conclude that we do have plenty of Incubus fans in the country (just that I don't happen to know alot of them) and they were out in full force that night. I got the concert T-shirt which they were selling @ $40 before we weaved into the dense forest of people to find a good spot. The idea was to try to squeeze to the front when there was an opportunity.

The concert people decided to treat us to some 80s retro music while we waiting for Incubus and well, at least there were some people who were enjoying the good memories.

Once the band burst onto the stage with the very charismatic frontman Brandon Boyd, they began with introducing two songs from their latest album Light Grenades, "Quicksand" and "A Kiss To Send Us Off". "OK now the monster is awake..." crooned Brandon and how apt that line was. The built up was fantastic to the energetic chorus of AKTSUF and the band cleverly followed up with old favourites like "Nice To Know You" and "I Wish You Were Here". I wish you were there to experience that sort of phenomenon whereby you have the whole Fort Canning singing along. It was like some hippie movement whereby everyone was obsessed with the Incubus cause and where happiness permeated all the molecules in the air, which started to thump with the deafening beats of pure adoration. Who knows...maybe the security guards and bouncers were head-bopping too. It was that infectious.

One of the highlights has got be when Brandon sang one of their biggest hits "Drive" acoustic when the crowd's voices almost threatened to drown out his voice. The sound system was fantastic and the band were in top form, despite their intensive tour schedule. Brandon's vocals were solid, lead guitarist Michael Einziger stole the show at some points and DJ Kilmore added the unique factor with his turntablist skills. Mr Brandon showcased his guitar skills and played the bongo drums during one of the songs. We got to experience some serious guitar riffs and amazing combinations during the longer than usual Pistola. Phew. Their secret arsenal must be an infinite ageless passion for music.

The crowd went berserk (including myself) when Megalomanic was played. Even back where we stood, some 4 metres away from the stage, there was some minor moshing going on. I got shovelled a few times and Siv tried to ensure I didn't get any broken bones lolz. Oh well, if not for the wierd sickness that overcame me during the last third of the gig, I would have lurged forward, joined in the moshing, whatever. So yeah, that was a little disappointing for me. Being at such an amazing occasion but trying not to faint from the sharp pain in the stomach, accompanying nausea and stifling whiff of sweat and cigarettes that wrapped around us like a thick blanket.

Brandon made some lusty fans very happy when he stripped from his red pleated shirt, to grey singlet and to topless. Blame our notorious humidity but I think he does that quite often during their concerts. During one part of the concert, this guy from behind actually shouted something about wanted to (censored word) Brandon and coincidentally, Brandon muttered "thank you". Siv and I just looked at each other and laughed. So Brandon is certified hot and his appeal extends to both sexes. I mean some groupie wannabies were definately there for him but I'll like to think that most of us were united in our love for their talent and distinctive music.

Megalomaniac was the last song of their 14 song set but after much cajoling for an encore from the tireless crowd, the boys returned with an encore set which comprised of "Stellar", "Circles" and "Aqueous Transmission".

I’m building an antenna
Transmissions will be sent
When I am through
Maybe we can meet again
- Aqueous Transmission

So it was of the best concerts I've ever attended, though they didn't play "Warning". It was nice to know Incubus, live. I hope we can meet again.

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Complete Set List

1) Quicksand
2) A Kiss To Send Us Off
3) Nice To Know You
4) I Wish You Were Here
5) Anna Molly
6) Vitamin
7) Favourite Things
8) The Warmth
9) Drive
10) Oil and Water
11) Pistola
12) Talk Shows on Mute
13) Sick Little Sad World
14) Megalomaniac

Encore set

15) Stellar
16) Circles
17) Aqueous Tranmission

Oscars 2008

2008-02-26T23:59:00.005+08:00

This is cute - Daniel Day-Lewis, Tilda Swinton, Marion Cotillard and Javier Bardem toasted one another with their golden statues in the press room. Photo by Steve Granitz, Wireimage.com

So yes, I actually sat through the whole 3 hours (repeated telecast) of the Oscars and contrary to the common lamentation of viewers or entertainment reviewers, I didn't find it lengthy or tedious. Getting to watch the finest actors and actresses gathering together dressed to impress and commendable, quality films and their cast and crew getting the kind of recognition they deserved, all beamed right into the comforts of my living room. I mean, seriously, what is there to gripe about?

As I've probably mentioned before, one thing I like about such award shows are how they are able to bring all the best people in the film industry together. We can put faces to the usually unseen and unheralded writers and crew members of deserving works. During the presentation of Best Director in last year's Oscars, they actually had Francis Ford Coppola, Steven Spielberg and George Lucas on stage together to present the award to the long deserving Martin Scorsese. That was really a moment. Its impossible not to notice ladies man Jack Nicholson with his trademark shades prominently sitting in the front row, regardless of whether he is nominated for any awards. Where else are you able to find the likes of Daniel Day Lewis, George Clooney, Johnny Depp and co, seated side by side in such a gawk worthy manner?

Thankfully for us viewers and for the greater good of the entire film industry, the writer's strike ended just in the nick of time for Oscar to proceed with his 80th celebration. This year we've got Jon Steward, talkshow host of The Daily Show, as host. He kept the show lively without losing its formality with a balance of measured demeanor and string of tongue-in-cheek jokes. Political potshots were fired light-heartedly and even the "untouchable" celebrities were not spared. His hosting was one of the highlights of the show.

The second highlight is a tie - when Tilda Swinton and Marion Cotillard won in their respective nominated categories. The British and French actresses, together with Briton Daniel Day-Lewis and Spaniard Javier Bardem added to the international flavour that was to dominated this year's Oscars.

Power actress Tilda Swinton trade jabs with George Clooney in the law drama Michael Clayton. Image from Yahoo movies.

Tilda Swinton, whom I think carries off her flaming red hair really well, is known for her unconventional and dark roles such as fallen angel Gabriel in Constantine and sinister witch in The Chronicles of Nardia. She also starred alongside Leonardo Dicaprio in The Beach. Tilda looked genuinely shocked to hear her name being announced but recovered in time to give a priceless acceptance speech.

"I have an American agent who is the spitting image of this — really, truly the same shaped head and, it has to be said, the buttocks. And I'm giving this to him because there's no way I would be in America at all. "George Clooney, you know, the seriousness and the dedication to your art, seeing you climb into that rubber bat suit from 'Batman and Robin,' the one with the nipples, every morning under your costume ... on the set, off the set, hanging upside down during lunch. You rock man."

Marion Cotillard wins critical acclaim for her startling transformation as Edith Piaf in La Vie En Rose. Image from yahoo movies.

Then came the equally shocked and visibly overwhelmed Marion Cotillard who won Best Actress for her biographic role as legendary French chanteuse Edith Piaf in "La Vie En Rose". Coincidentally, the same song was used in her earlier film "Jeux d'enfants", which was the film that made me fall in love with her. Though the actress is recognized for her French works, she also gave English-speaking performances in Tim Burton's Big Fish and Ridley Scott's A Good Year. Marion beat favourite Julie Christie, who was nominated for her role as a woman wasting away from Alzheimer in the precious indie "Away From Her". Backstage, she continued to gush in adorable exhilarance.

"It feels so good. I'm totally overwhelmed with joy and sparkles and fireworks and everything which goes like bom-bom-bom."

There were no surprises in the Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor categories. Daniel Day-Lewis took his well-deserved prize for his violent turn as an mercenary oil magnate in There Will Be Blood while Javier Bardem continued his winning streak after Best Supporting Actor wins at the Golden Globes, SAGs and BAFTAs. Speaking of violent, most of the top films were of darker material and erm, violent characters and Jon Stewart didn't miss a beat when he commented in his opening monologue,

"Does this town need a hug? What happened? No Country for Old Men, Sweeney Todd, There Will Be Blood. All I can say is, thank God for teen pregnancy."

Another highlight was when independent musicians Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova performed the irresistably romantic duet "Falling Slowly" from their film Once. Their winning song certainly outshoned the cheesier ditties from the Disney musical Enchanted.

No Country For Old Men, which had generated alot of pre Oscar buzz, was the big winner of the night. The catchy-sounding modern Western literally strolled away (due in part to the Coen brothers' reticience in displaying their emotions) with 4 awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor.

So at the end of the day, I'm just left with a violent desire to watch No Country For Old Men and There Will Be Blood.

881

2007-09-23T18:22:00.001+08:00

Since I caught "881" with my mom and sister some 3 weeks back, I've been itching to catch some getai action. Sadly, I didn't manage to and the Seventh Lunar Month has since ended.

The movie brought back good memories though. It made me recall the days when my grandpa would bring me downstairs his Kallang flat, my hand in his, to watch Teochew opera and puppet shows. Every seventh month of the chinese calendar without fail, which is also known as the Hungry Ghost Festival, a stage platform would be erected at a wide open space near the flat and uncles and aunties would flock there with children in tow to watch the performances every night. Pavements would be lined with jossticks, red candles and food offerings and there would be circular patches of charred grass leftover by the burning of paper money. These offerings were for the spirits of the dead whom the Chinese believe are released from the gates of Hell for a one month visit to earth. The getai performances are supposed to provide entertainment for these wandering souls and the first rows of plastic chairs are usually left empty for them.

My dad would bring our whole family to watch getais too and I remember it was back in the 90s when evergreen singers wearing colourful outfits belting out classic Hokkien and Chinese songs started to eclipse the painted expressive faces of Teochew Opera and the erhu and cymbals accompanied hand puppet shows.

The getai world along with those florid memories soon slipped into the recesses of my mind. My dad and grandfather left us and the world moved along at breakneck pace. The getais have evolved into flamboyant song and dance performances with multi-talented fast-talking comperes, rambuctious Hokkien techno numbers and lithe dancers scantily clad in sequinned pieces. Even the stages have gone from simple wooden plank and poles setup to sophisticated surround sound system, shiny disco-light balls and fanciful themed backdrops.

This is well-portrayed in "881".

If you haven't caught Roystan Tan's latest film, I suggest you dash to the nearest theatre before the film run ends. This coming from a person who usually shuns local film productions and isn't a particularly patriotic person. There is a reason why it has grossed over 3 million dollars in cinema receipts, outdoing Jack Neo's Just Follow Law and has been selected as our country's official entry in the Best Foreign Film Oscar race. Although I do not believe it'll be among the finalists, the film is truly one of the rare products that has quality and national pride stamped all over it.

"881" is a musical comedy which revolves around two aspiring getai singers and their struggles to make it big on stage. Other than the director's obsession with numbers (Roystan's previous movies include "15" and "430"), 881 also significantly refers to the main characters, the Papaya Sisters, two friends who become sworn sisters after being brought together by their passion for getais. Big Papaya and Small Papaya (played by Yeo Yann Yann and Mindy Ong respectively) are taken under the wing of Auntie Ling (Liu Ling Ling) who becomes their manager as well as a motherly figure to them. The story unfolds through the eyes of Guan Yin (Qi Yuwu), who is the adopted son of Auntie Ling. Although Guan Yin's narration can be heard in some scenes, he has no actual dialogue with the other characters because he is mute. Aside from playing with his pet rooster in his free time and nursing a crush on one (or both) of the sisters, he is also the chauffeur, photographer and caretaker.

Funny moments are aplenty when veteran getai performancers Wang Lei and Karen Tan turned up to banter with Liu Ling Ling's auntie Ling in pure explosive (minus the vulgarities) Hokkien. Their chemistry is evident and even kids were laughing along in the cinema I was in.Then for reasons unknown, there is a cheesy part about Auntie Ling's twin (also Liu Ling Ling), a diety living in a temple who grants the Papaya sisters their wish to be successful getai singers if they abide by her rules. Rules are meant to be broken so the journey for the sisters is fraught with obstacles. Oh and be mentally prepared for the special effects during the battle between the sisters and their main rivals, the Durian sisters (played by MTV VJs May and Choy) and the latter's mangled english.

Still, credit must be given to Roystan for being able to inject serious and heartrending moments into a movie that is mainly steered by music, humour and a dose of craziness. Characters ala Moulin Rouge break out into song and dance numbers to express their emotions on top of the excellent synchronized performance of the Papaya sisters on stage. I reckon a significant amount of the movie's 1 million budget must have been lavished on the outrageous but lovely costumes. The sisters and their rivals went through so many costume changes, I lost count of them. The unbridled showcase of singing and dancing is also equivalent to a trip to getais that are usually found in heartland areas.

I believe a good story reaches its aim when the audience is able to relate to it and the plot achieves this with its strong relationship themes. There are the exceptionally poignant scenes (spoiler!) that deals with Small Papaya's struggles with cancer and the eternity of sisterhood. Whether its the love between the sisters or their fiery passion for getai, you can tell that the film struck a chord with the audience with the unbashful shedding of tears and generous applause.

881, thanks for bringing back the memories.For a traditional culture that may soon be lost with the passing of generations and tweaking from modernization. For the people whom I'll never forget.

Broken English

2007-08-09T22:05:00.000+08:00

To be honest, the first and main reason that made me want to watch this movie is Parker Posey. The gorgeous, irresistably charming actress whose forte is appearing in indie, conversational pieces and winning praises from even the staunchest film critics. Occasionally, she pops up in mainstream fare and when she does, the roles are highly memorable. She obviously had heaps of fun portraying an evil, campy vampire in Blade:Trinity and a sexy, fiesty fashion designer seeking a divorce in Laws Of Attraction.

Known more for her comedic and madcap performances, Parker turns in a more calibrated and contemplative performance in Broken English. As a single, thirty something woman working as a guest relations executive in a boutique hotel, Nora Wilder seems to have it all, on the surface. She is beautiful, intelligent and always dressed to kill. Her job allows her to meet the rich and the famous and becomes a topic of enthusiastic discussion amongst her mother's friends. She attends the hippiest parties and her bestest friend provides yoga company, shopping advice and emotional support. Not to mention, she has a cozy, sleek apartment to herself.

This sounds like a single woman's dream. Just that well, Nora is single, lonely and desperate for love. Ironically, she is cynical about finding it and has her heart well-fenced up. She tries her luck at love, meets handsome promising men but they are all wrong for her. After a couple of disasterous dates, she sinks into a deep funk. In a rather poignant scene, Nora breaks down in a restaurant after confessing to her mother about how lonely she is. Although her mother (Gena Rowlands) oftens reminds Nora how she "gave away" a good man to her best friend by introducing them, she shows support by telling Nora to "to go everywhere even if you don't feel like it." Nora's best friend Audrey (a wonderful chirpy Drea de Matteo) is also a reliable buddy cum cheerleader who keeps her company when she is down.

In her depressed state, Nora decides not to celebrate the Fourth of July but after drinking wine by herself and staring at the four corners of her quiet apartment, she makes an eleventh hour attempt to quell her restlessness and emptiness by going to her colleague's party. There, she feels even more out of place until she meets a dashing, charismatic Frenchman Julien (Melvil Poupaud) with a fedora hat and plenty of patience and persuasion. Julien's genuine interest in Nora and his ignorance of her pent-up frustrations, is the perfect antidote to Nora's jadedness and skepticism. They spend a beautiful weekend together but his steadfastness causes her to have an anxiety attack in public as she grapples with the relationship that is unfolding. When Nora realizes that his feelings might be true, Julien has to return to his country and she is faced with a dilemma. To stay in her safe but stagnant environment or to go with him to France, and give herself and love a chance?

Although the synopsis of the story seems to be about finding love, I think it is essentially about a typical educated, independant woman living in a fast-paced, modern society, dealing with her neuroses. The director's own compassion for women, together with the magnificent acting from Posey, manages to capture the excruciating struggles of loneliness and overwhelming insecurities of modern women. I love how the slow-moving pace and the unfanciful everyday dialogue contributed to the realism of the film and the melancholy which stayed long after the film has ended, made me think...

Its wierd that I'm not even at that stage of my life and I can totally identify with Nora. Its not about finding love. Its about feeling lost, empty and lonely. I think its about finding ourselves.

King Lear @ The Esplanade - 21st July 2007

2007-07-28T21:50:00.003+08:00

The moment I found out Sir Ian McKellen was coming, I knew I had to see him. I really liked the thespian for his roles in reel life (Gandalf in LOTR and Magneto in X-men) and he seem like an awful nice guy in real life. Also, it so happened that one of the plays he would be acting in was King Lear, which was one of the books I had to read in junior college.

I was so psyched up for the event, I finished reading the book in less than 3 hours and even dutifully researched some of the textual meanings. I mean I've NEVER been so zealous back when I was supposed to be studying Lear because Shakespeare was like all together another language and quite hard to grasp. It was fun though and I would certainly prefer any of the Bard's work than 20th century novels (Joseph Andrews...shudders).

As Jo had made a booking few days after the dates of the play were confirmed, we managed to get seats along the third circle balcony. Our position though was rather uncomfortable as we had to lean towards the railing to get a good view of the stage, but the whole experience was optimized because we had binoculars!! With them, we could see the expressions on the actors' faces and more importantly, I had a close-up view of McKellen. So I was really happy about that. I have attended musical performances at the esplanade theatre before but boy this was the first time I've seen it so packed. Most people in the sold out crowd were definately there to watch Mckellen in the flesh but I've no doubt that the popular Shakespeare play and the solid reputation of the Royal Shakespeare Company who had collaborated with The Singapore Repertory Theatre and the Esplanade to bring the play to our shores were intrinsic influences as well.

A synopsis of the story goes like this. Lear is a powerful but self-absorbed king who wants to abdicate the throne and divide his kingdom amongst his three daughters. He tries to assess how much each daughter should be rewarded by asking each of them to profess their love for him. The two elder evil daughters Goneril and Regan pepper their speeches with fulsome rhetoric but the youngest Cordelia, who truely loves her father, refuses to take part in any of the nonsense. In a moment of folly that changes everything, Cordelia is married off to the King of France without recieving anything. Lear's loyal servant Kent is banished while trying to intercede. The evil daughters achieve their evil intentions and begin to turn against their father. Lear goes mad after realizing their betrayal and his mistake but it is during this tumultuous journey that he regains his senses. There is another sub-plot involving the Earl of Gloucester, who also serves the king, being betrayed by his illegitimate son Edmond while turning away his real son Edgar, who remains faithful to him throughout.

King Lear is known as a tragedy because even though the bad recieves their rightful punishment in the end, the good does not live out a happy ending. I read that some of Shakespeare's early audiences didn't like the sad ending so they actually changed it to a happy one but I do think it is a realistic allusion to reality. Evil is constantly lurking in men's hearts while the good doesn't always have good things happen to them.

Anyway, trying to absorb and decipher the Shakespearean text is one matter but being able to see the play brought to life by a well-trained cast makes understanding the story easier. Mckellen has recieved garlands of praise for his portrayal of the titular character and indeed he did not disappoint. His wealth of experience in acting and theatre showed through in scenes where he had to convey strong emotions as to allow the audience to relate to the character. Ian's Lear was naturally funny, furious and demanding at times and helpless and desolate when he was abandoned. His emotional soliloquies were particularly impressive because he managed to inject the right amount of feelings without overacting. The much talked about nude scene didn't happened due to our country's censorship barriers but well, Ian's commanding performance of a king stripped down to his humility and forced to face the bare reality was metaphoric enough. Quite obviously, he was comfortable in the shoes of Lear and pretty damn convincing.

But what is a play without a good supporting cast? Monica Dolan stole some of the thunder as a conniving, slightly psychotic and wine-loving Regan. Frances Barber's Goneril on the other hand was believable albeit a tad too stiff. The weakest link was probably Cordelia who was played by young actress Romolo Garai, whom I recognized as the hot dancer in Dirty Dancing 2: Havana Nights. She makes a good Cordelia with her ethereal and innocent beauty but lacks the acting skills and good chemistry with her father. Mckellen saves the relationship by being humble and sincere in seeking forgiveness from his wronged daughter. His howling at the last scene due to Cordelia's death was a haunting display of grief which echoed throughout the theatre and ate into the hearts of the audience. Philip Winchester with his winning good looks and candid confessions of deviance made his villain Edmond alot less repulsive and in fact decievingly charming. Just so you know, both married sisters Goneril and Regan falls in love with Edmond and later fights for his affection.

I love the endearing moments which Lear shares on stage with his loyal companion The Fool (Sylvester McCoy). From the time they are dressed in courtly flamboyant clothes to the time when they are soaked in the pouring thunderstorm in their barest and plainest of clothes, the bond between them was well-established. Just on a side note, with our binoculars, we could actually see a slight drizzle but oddly, the stage was not wet. The Fool is essentially the conscience of the King as his comic and witty speeches provides incisive perspective to the latter's misdirections.

Director Trevor Nunn added an unexpected scene with the Fool being hanged by the traitors' henchmen which was not in the text (though his premature death was hinted at) and the whole feeling I get is that he wanted to make everything as clear as possible. William Gaunt (Earl of Gloucester), Jonathan Hyde (Kent) and Ben Meyjes (Edgar) round off the rest of the main cast.

The most amazing thing about the whole experience was the actor and actresses' ability to master and remember every single line! I mean I'm not expecting them to read from cue cards but hearing them utter Shakespeare lines like the ones below was incredible.

"A man may see how this world goes with no eyes. Look with thine ears: see how yond justice rails upon yond simple thief. Hark, in thine ear: change places; and, handy-dandy, which is the justice, which is the thief?" (Act 4 Scene 6)

So with the outstanding acting and everything else included, a rousing standing ovation wasn't all that surprising. They deserve it, from the sound engineers, set designer, organizers and of course, an unconscious tribute to the man who gave us the play.

Engraving The World: A Selection From The Chacography Collection of The Lourve Musuem

2007-07-26T21:34:00.004+08:00

Last friday, June and I went to check out an exhibition at The Singapore Art Museum called Engraving the World: A Selection from the Chalcography Collection of the Louvre Museum. I've been wanting to visit the exhibition since I read about it and I'm glad I finally did before it ended on July 22nd. It so happened that our visit coincided with a guided tour so we learnt more about the artworks than we possibly could on our own. Oh and we got in for free because admission is free on friday nights :)

On display were a selection of 138 etchings produced by the Louvre's chalcography department, chronicling the development of copper engraving in France over a period of a few centuries. Chalcography, which sounds like it has to do with charcoal drawing, is actually the art of engraving on copper. Subsequently, prints could be duplicated from the original copper plate using specially mixed ink and the appropriate paper. This tedious but dedicated form of printing was used way before modern techniques of photography and photocopying were developed and played a significant role in history.

We learnt that chalcography was first initiated by Louis XIV in 1663 as a form of art, propaganda and to facilitate communication between France and other countries like China. Much of the works we see in the galleries depict the glory of French monarchy like the Tuileries Palace which offered the French commoners a glimpse of how life was like inside. The King also ordered prints to be sent to the Chinese emperor so they could share and discuss knowledge on plants, science and other discoveries and developments. Among some of the more famous etchings we saw were Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, Jean-Baptiste Nolin after Arnould de Vuez Coronelli’s Celestial Globe and Gérard Audran's The Dome of Val de Grace: The Holy Trinity and its Principal Mysteries.

We really impressed by the intricacy and precision of the strokes and lines of the works. Even though the colours were monochrome and dull, closer inspection would allow you to see the tiniest details that add up to such realistic portrait on the whole. It got til a point whereby we were peering intently at the prints, pointing out people standing on bridges and ladders who are less than 0.1cm tall! and being totally amused by the the standard of definitude. Can you imagine the effort poured into these artwork to document events and images during that era as compared to now where photos can just be taken with a click of a button?

I won't profess to know much about art but I've always had some moderate inclination towards it. I believe that being exposed to different sorts of things does make life more enriching.

-------------------------------------------------------

Event Dates: 4th May 2007 to 22nd Jul 2007
Opening Hours: Mon-Sun: 10am - 7pm Fri: 10am - 9pm
Venue: Singapore Art Museum
Category: Exhibition

Jet - The Shine On Tour 2007

2007-06-26T23:11:00.004+08:00

Before I start this review, I have a confession to make. Unlike the previous Franz Ferdinand, Hoobastank, No Doubt/Cranberries and Linkin Park gigs that I have attended, I wasn't all that familiar about Jet when I was at their gig last tuesday. All I knew were a couple of lines from some of their songs and that their music is hard to resist. The loud hard ones are really catchy and boisterous enough to make you want to nod your head to while their ballads are mellow and heartfelt without being overly sappy.

I recieved their debut album "Get Born" as a birthday present when it was released in 2004 and took an immediate liking to their brand of rock and roll. I heard "Are You Gonna Be My Girl" and "Look What You Have Done" before they became way overplayed everywhere. But that meant exposure for the band which is a good thing. "AYGBMG" was featured in an Ipod advertisement on telly while "LWYD" was typical background music for teenage drama series (The OC anyone?). Anyway, their first album also consists of other rock gems and their music was a good enough reason to catch them live.

19th of June 2007.

Our tickets indicated that the concert was supposed to start at 8pm. As we made our way on foot from SMU to Fort Canning Park after dinner at TCC, we could hear strains of thumping music emanating from the hill above. We were worried. Surely, Jet couldn't be that punctual. Rockstars are well known for being exceptionally late and keeping their fans waiting in anticipation. The thought of missing any bit of Jet in action was unsettling. Upon reaching our destination, we realized that our fears were unfounded. The loud bass beats were courtesy of the opening acts.

We had to queue to get in but the line moved pretty fast. Once inside the gate, we saw that splotches of concert-goers had already made themselves comfortable on the slopey green grass patch in front of the stage. Not surprisingly, quite a significant percentage were non locals. There were three side tents selling the band's merchandise, booze and Botak Jones grub respectively. Botak Jones by the way is a very successful American food franchise that is reknown for its cheap restaurant quality grub in heartland areas. I bought myself a black Jet concert Tee, Jo got some nifty badges while Yv took home with her the band's poster and "Shine On" cd.

We found ourselves a good spot like 3 metres away from the stage and joined the crowd in hollering out for Jet. At 9pm sharp, frontman Nic Cester strutted out on stage followed in casual rhythm by the rest of the band. The first thing you notice is how sharply these dudes are dressed. Nic was at his modern bohemian best - long white flowing shirt, paired with a black blazer, pastel scarf and sandals. Somehow, he reminded me of a clean shaven John Lennon. In my head, I was just wondering how long he could last in that power outfit. The band didn't last long. Soon after, Nic uttered "Oh the humidity!" and did away with his thick jacket. His brother drummer Chris Cester was already shirtless but he looked really cool with his black police cap and white pants. "Did I just hear some guy say take it off??" he muses to the crowd. Sure enough, this Aussie guy just inches away from me was enthusiastically chanting "Rip it off! Rip it off!!!", making Jo and I collapse into fits of laughter.

Throughout the 90mins set, the band entertained the audience with songs from both albums, effortlessly alternating between adrenaline stompers like "That's All Lies", "Stand Up" and "Cold Hard Bitch" and acoustic slow numbers like "Move On", "Radio Song" and "King's Horses" but it was their two hit anthems which catapulated them to fame worldwide that really got the crowd moving. Kids as young as 7 and adults alike were all jumping to "Are You Gonna Be My Girl" while the band seemed pleased that the audience knew all the lyrics to "Look What You've Done". Some people even took out their lighters and started waving them in synchronized manner.

It was clear where the band got their influences (both in music and style) from. Their music were sometimes reminiscent of The Who, Rolling Stones and even Oasis. Guitarist Cameron Muncey was staggering stylishly around stage often with a cigarette sticking from his mouth while drummer Chris was in languid Iggy Pop mode everytime he rested from his drum duties. Lead singer Nic made an impression with his flexible vocals as he managed to sound good screaming/shrieking during some of the fast numbers and then incredibly poignant during his solo rendition of "Shine On". He mentioned that this song was really special to him and I later learnt that it was written in memory of the boys' father who had died of cancer. "Shine On" was part of the encore set that also included "Eleanor" and "Rollover DJ". I was rather disappointed that they didn't play "Sgt. Major" which is one of my favourites but the concert was nevetheless amazing.

One of the band's best moments came, not when they were belting out those famous radio friendly rock anthems but when the Cester brothers were singing in harmony to Eleanor, each armed only with a guitar and tambourine respectively. It was so earnest, tender and beautiful, it simply took my breath away. Just like this concert did.