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#trending: Jay Chou concert organiser apologises for faulty light sticks, after litany of complaints including bad sound system

SINGAPORE — After a flurry of online backlash regarding Mandopop star Jay Chou's Carnival World Tour shows in Singapore, concert organiser GHY Culture & Media has apologised to fans for problems faced with the complimentary light sticks.

The Jay Chou Carnival World Tour in Singapore was held on Dec 17 and 18, 2022 at the National Stadium, with tickets priced from S$218 to S$388.

The Jay Chou Carnival World Tour in Singapore was held on Dec 17 and 18, 2022 at the National Stadium, with tickets priced from S$218 to S$388.

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  • The organiser behind Mandopop star Jay Chou’s concert in Singapore has apologised to fans for problems faced with complimentary light sticks
  • This was after online backlash over the Taiwanese singer’s performance 
  • Fans also complained of bad sound quality and the staging of the show 
  • Despite the bad press, other fans and web users have come together to defend the 43-year-old singer and his concert
  • Many said that the unhappy reviewers were simply anti-fans trying to damage Chou's public image

SINGAPORE — After a flurry of online backlash regarding Mandopop star Jay Chou's Carnival World Tour shows at the National Stadium in Singapore on Saturday (Dec 17) and Sunday, concert organiser GHY Culture & Media has apologised to fans for problems they faced with their complimentary light sticks.

The heart-shaped light stick, which was issued to every concertgoer, was meant to change to various colours to sync with the performer and music. 

Some spectators claimed that the light sticks were of cheap quality, failed to light up and appeared to be reused from the singer's 2020 tour.

A TikTok video showing fans how to replace their light stick batteries shows a "20" printed on one side of the light stick, which also reads "Jay" in English and "Carnival" in Chinese.

The other side reads "Singapore" in both English and Chinese.

In the video, the TikTok user advises: "Be careful not to touch the words too much because they might peel off."

In a Facebook post on Tuesday morning, the organiser wrote: "We hear your feedback regarding the complimentary light sticks that were given out at the concert and we are sorry that these light sticks did not come up to your expectations."

The company, which is also a content provider and handles artiste management, claimed that the light sticks "have not been recycled from the last concert in 2020".

"(The) '20' reflected in the Carnival emblem refers to Jay's 20 over years of making music culminating in the Carnival-themed concert world tour for his fans," it explained.

"As this is also Jay's first concert after nearly three years, there were repeated rehearsals involving the light sticks and unfortunately, batteries in some of the light sticks failed during the first show and we did our best to rectify (this) in time for the second show.

"Fans can still keep these light sticks by replacing (their) batteries."

Light sticks aside, fans also complained of a bad sound system and the staging of the show itself. Some attendees said that most of the concert time was taken up by magic shows and guest-star performances, with Chou himself "only (singing) half of the concert".

Some also said that Chou's singing was off and he could not reach high notes at times.

However, not everyone has jumped on board the hate train. Despite the bad press, other fans and web suers have come together to defend the 43-year-old singer and his concert.

One supporter wrote on Chou's Instagram: "Everyone, don't compare those in their 20s with those in their 40s... For his concert this time, I think he really tried his best.

"I believe that if he was able to sing high notes, he would definitely have done so... Magic is also something Jay wants to share with fans."

Besides being an accomplished singer-songwriter, actor and director, Chou is also a talented magician, often performing magic tricks on shows or for his friends in showbusiness.

There were people who said that the unhappy reviewers were simply anti-fans or "heifen" (meaning "black fans" in Chinese) masquerading as "long-time fans" and trying to damage Chou's public image.

One supporter scoffed: "If you are a real fan, don't you know that Jay's voice has been like this for a long time? It was already in very good condition last night."

Ever since he began his entertainment career, critics have often talked about Chou's "mumbling" style of singing and rapping, as well as his unclear diction — things that his fans would know and likely accepted.

Another fan pointed out: "He played (instruments), he sang, he danced to show you 18 martial arts forms. Is that still not sincere enough?

"If you say 'no', next time don't fight for tickets. It's difficult to get a ticket."

On Monday night, Mr Royal Pek, co-founder of salted egg food kiosk chain Xian Dan Chao Ren, posted a TikTok video to slam the negative reviews.

In a comedic mix of English and Mandarin, Mr Pek argues: "So what if (we have to) reuse light stick? So what if lower key for his songs?

"Give chance, lah, guys. His songs brought us through our childhood and youth, leh."

The TikToker, who has 30,600 followers, said that he "had a lot of fun" at the concert and was also touched "knowing (Chou) couldn't reach the high notes, but he was still trying his best" to sing as many songs as possible.

Referring to the singer's slurred enunciation, Mr Pek continues: "You said his sound system wasn't good, okay, you can't hear very clearly what Jay Chou is singing... But that's also his style, mah!

"I don't know how to explain it to you guys, seriously, ugh."

@royalpek

I am willing to take on haters for my brother Jay … 来! 😡

♬ original sound - royalpek

It was not the first time Chou has faced criticism for his stage performance.

In 2016, more than 1,800 angry fans signed an online petition to demand refunds for his The Invincible concert, held at the same location, due to audio problems such as muffled sounds and an overpowering bass.

The two-day Jay Chou Carnival World Tour here was held at the National Stadium in the Singapore Sports Hub, with tickets ranging from S$218 to S$388.

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