Ado concert review: Singer without a face ignites fans while in cage with only silhouette visible, Entertainment News
But could you experience that intimacy if she appears in a cage on stage, obscured, with only her silhouette visible?
Ado's Crunchyroll-powered Hibana world tour concert at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Wednesday (May 21) proved you certainly could, and perhaps far more than a casual listener might expect.
Kicking off the show with her debut single Ussewa (2020), Ado ignited the crowd with her iconic, powerful vocals packed with raw emotions.
In the confines of her cage, her silhouette danced, tumbled and thrashed, making the most of the small space she had.
But the visuals were far from lacklustre — the laser lightshow more than made up for it, with beams of light spinning and overlapping, reminiscent of a rave.
On the ground, the audience reciprocated with that same energy, waving their lightsticks and moving to the beat as the beams brushed over them.
Ado's cage — purely physical — could do nothing to restrict the auditory delight that is her signature raspy-yet-tuneful screams as she belted out hit after hit.
Each stood in stark contrast to the mellowed whispers that interspersed her songs, causing the audience to erupt in passionate cheers.
Ado sang fan-favourite from One Piece Film: Red such as Fleeting Lullaby (2022) and Spy X Family season two's Kura Kura (2023), also powering through newer songs like Rockstar (2025) and Elf (2025).
An impactful rendition of Sia's Chandelier (2014) was also delivered in the encore, which she closed with the rousing and hopeful New Genesis (2022) from One Piece Film: Red. 'Beyond language, beyond borders'
During her encore, Ado also thanked fans present for their support.
"These days, so many people know who I am... across oceans, around the world," she began.
"No matter how much I think about it, it still feels surreal. I don't quite feel like myself, because at the beginning, I was completely alone."
Recalling her past, Ado revealed that she used to sing alone in her closet at home, the only light in her room from her computer screen.
"I sang and sang every single day," she reminisced, laughing as she shared how her mum used to yell at her to "turn it down" because she was too loud.
There were people who criticised her voice or the way she sang, days when she felt very much alone and days where she felt like giving up on her dream of being a singer, Ado said.
"Now, look at this," she said, her silhouette gesturing at the audience before her. "So many of you are right here in front of me. There are people all over the world who say they love my music.
"I still can't believe it. This view feels like a dream, and I'm just... truly, deeply happy."
Ado also wondered if there were people in the audience who were feeling the loneliness that she felt before.
She empathised: "It's okay to be alone. It's okay to dream. Loneliness isn't something to be ashamed of. Even if you have insecurities, even if you feel like you're all alone — You're still allowed to dream.
"No matter how lonely you are, you can still sing. That's the message I want to share — beyond language, beyond borders — with the world."
Perhaps that's the secret behind Ado's popularity despite the impersonality of never showing her face — she isn't just a mysterious singer or an artiste to her fans, but more of a concept.
In that concept is a silhouette — an outline which fans can fit themselves within, for them to find catharsis among other likeminded individuals and keep their own dreams alive.
[[nid:716529]]
bingchenghu@asiaone.com
khooyihang@asiaone.com
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Straits Times
12-07-2025
- Straits Times
Exhibition marking The Straits Times' 180th anniversary opens on July 12 at Jewel Changi
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Straits Times
27-06-2025
- Straits Times
Don't (Just) Think Like An Architect: Pritzker Prize laureates, immersive events for Archifest
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PHOTO: LA DALLMAN Ms La says the duo value all forms of design research – formal, infrastructural, social, historical, tactile, and especially physical and material research – as a prelude to the firm's investigations. This forms the 'raw material' for their designs. 'In the act of documenting and experiencing existing conditions, we gain insight in the found landscape,' she says. The husband-and-wife team are also educators known for an interdisciplinary approach that blends architecture, engineering and landscape design. 'In this sense, we see architecture as growing from the site, as a sculptural, structural and social undertaking, wherein additive and subtractive operations are equally valid.' She adds: 'We achieve balance between these intuitions through collaboration with our clients and consultants – by ensuring very specific, not general, analyses and responses.' The theme of not thinking like an architect resonates with Mr Ambrish Arora, one of the speakers at the festival's two-day opening conference. Questioning conventional wisdom comes naturally to the founding principal of Studio Lotus, an urban design practice he set up in New Delhi in 2002. Mr Ambrish Arora is founding principal of Studio Lotus, a multi-disciplinary design practice founded in New Delhi in 2002. PHOTO: ANKEETA CHAMPATIRAY In engineering college in India, he found the theoretical aspects of formal education limiting. He dropped out of his first year, opting for an exploratory journey that involved working with his hands , from repairing motorcycles to assembling computers . 'I worked for four years at the boat-building workshop that my father, a naval architect, had started after his retirement,' says Mr Arora, 55, who was exposed to 'first-principles thinking' at an early age. First-principles thinking approaches problem-solving and design by breaking down complex issues into their most basic principles, instead of relying on conventional solutions. ' At the workshop, I learnt carpentry, welding, metal-casting, fibreglass moulding and making full-scale drawings on the floor. This experience taught me that everything could be solved through prototyping and collaboration ,' he adds. It helped lay the foundation for his early years of architectural practice, which has been through the lens of 'making' – building in situ, with a frugal mindset and with locally available resources. One of Studio Lotus' earliest commissions was RAAS Jodhpur in 2011 . Set in the centre of the walled city of Jodhpur, Rajasthan , RAAS is a 6,000 sq m property at the base of the Mehrangarh Fort, one of India's best-preserved mediaeval fortresses. The brief was for a luxury boutique hotel with 39 rooms. 'We worked with local Rajasthani stone, traditional building techniques and a deep respect for what was already there , based on first-principles thinking ,' Mr Arora recalls. The resulting design emerged not from any theoretical framework, but from numerous site visits, sketch studies and a hands-on, collaborative approach. Mr Arora adds: 'Not having a formal education in how it's supposed to be done helped me stay curious, forever learning and being committed to excellence, yet being open to failure and ongoing course correction. That is something we hope stays a constant in how we work at Studio Lotus. ' Festival highlights Assembly: Blueprints Of Imagination, July 2 to 13 Inspired by the daily school ritual, Assembly celebrates the act of coming together: intellectually, creatively and critically. It is a first-of-its-kind showcase that unites the works of spatial design schools here – such as the National University of Singapore College of Design and Engineering and the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) – under one roof at the National Design Centre in Middle Road. The exhibition also spotlights works by Singaporean students studying abroad , adding a global edge to the next wave of design thinking . Each installation in the showcase offers a fresh take, challenging conventions through inventive storytelling, material exploration and critical inquiry. Co-curated by RT+Q Architects, the SIA Young Architects League and acclaimed designer Kelley Cheng, Assembly is designed to spark connections among students, educators, industry professionals and the public. The show builds on SIA's 'Young Architects Meet 2025' platform, a gathering of architectural institutions to promote cross-sharing about design between schools. ArchiPavilions & Installations, from July 12 The Jetty is a lively and dynamic installation by SUTD students with RSP Architects Planners & Engineers. PHOTO: RSP Another highlight is an exhibition that seeks to transform the Katong-Joo Chiat precinct into an al fresco gallery of interactive and inclusive design. ArchiPavilions & Installations showcases semi-permanent structures and creative interventions that are strategically placed throughout the neighbourhood, inviting the public to engage with architecture in light-hearted yet thought-provoking ways. URA collaborates with design schools, local architects and community groups to co-create these installations. For example, Kueh Kueh At Katong features giant, food-inspired pavilions by students from SUTD and SAA Architects. A rendering of Kueh Kueh at Katong designed by former SUTD students in collaboration with SAA Architects. PHOTO: SAA ARCHITECTS Another installation, called The Jetty, is a nostalgic recreation of Marine Parade's fishing heritage, brought to life by SUTD students and designers from RSP Architects Planners & Engineers. Unlike traditional exhibitions, these installations are designed to be touched, explored and experienced. The features are inspired by the rich heritage and multicultural fabric of Katong-Joo Chiat, highlighting the precinct's unique blend of Peranakan shophouses, modern structures and public spaces , serving as a catalyst for conversations on identity, memory and the evolution of Singapore's built environment . ArchiHouse, July 12 to 27 Standing as one of the central platforms at Archifest 2025, ArchiHouse will host a series of talks and conversations featuring both established and emerging voices in architecture, urbanism and design. It is crafted to encourage cross-disciplinary exchange and public engagement , echoing the bold festival theme, Don't (Just) Think Like An Architect . One of the main draws, the Long Island Exhibition, presents visionary studies and proposals by students from NUS' Master of Arts in Urban Design (MAUD) and an NUS design 'studio' called the Landscape Architect Studio. A 'studio' is a creative space where educators and students critique concepts and collaborate hands-on to improve design ideas. The Long Island Exhibition offers a glimpse into the next generation's thinking on coastal resilience, land reclamation and the imaginative re-envisioning of Singapore's future waterfronts. Coastal prototypes by the Center for Climate Adaptation, developed with architects and SUTD students, offer solutions for coastal resilience. ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG Another highlight is the URA's Identity Corridor Exhibition. The festival's curatorial team worked closely with URA to explore Singapore's urban identity, tracing the evolution of its neighbourhoods, streetscapes and public spaces. T hrough a mix of archival materials, design studies and community narratives, t he show invites visitors to reflect on what makes Singapore's built environment distinctive, and how its identity continues to evolve in response to new social and environmental demands . Fringe events ArchiBake, June 28 A design-themed bake-off challenges architecture firms to turn Singapore's landmarks into cakes. PHOTO: RSP This is a bake-off with a playful design twist . RSP Architects Planners & Engineers in collaboration with SIA and partners have put together a fun fringe event , titled Don't Bake Like An Architect, Bake Like A Baker! At the event, also dubbed 'ArchiBake', architecture firms are challenged to turn Singapore's iconic landmarks into show-stopping cakes, whether it is a building they have designed or one they admire. The final line-up of creations will come together to form a delicious visual map of the Singapore skyline. ArchiTours, July 5 to 13 The 2025 ArchiTours will take visitors through landmarks such as Woodlands Health Campus. PHOTO: SAA ARCHITECTS A perennial highlight of the festival, ArchiTours are led by guides from The Architecture Society at NUS , and offer the public an immersive journey through Singapore's landscape of celebrated landmarks as well as hidden gems. The ticketed walking tours, priced at $65 for adults and $55 for students, feature two projects a day, with a choice of morning or afternoon sessions. There are 16 completed projects in the line-up, such as Punggol Digital District, Woodlands Health Campus and Lentor Health Nursing Home West Coast. Lentor Nursing Home is part of the line-up of sites to be visited during the ArchiTours, a festival highlight which offers the public an immersive journey through Singapore's landscape. PHOTO: CPG The tours invite both professionals and the public to ask questions and look at architecture not as something distant or exclusive, but as a living, evolving part of Singapore's story. A mainstay of the tours is spotlighting neighbourhoods where old and new architecture coexist, such as the 2025 edition's focus on Katong-Joo Chiat , allowing participants to explore the rich narratives and evolving identities of these districts . Beyond The Facade: Secrets Of Katong, June 29, July 6, 13, 19, 20, 26 and Aug 2 and 3 The vibrant Katong neighbourhood is the focus of a curated trail that promises to peel back the layers of the area's history. PHOTO: NG WEE LIANG Singapore's vibrant Katong neighbourhood is set to reveal its long-held secrets through a curated trail titled Behind The Facade: Secrets Of Katong. This exploration will peel back layers of history, showcasing both iconic and overlooked landmarks that tell the story of the distinctive neighbourhood. Participants will journey from a grand colonial-era seaside villa to Singapore's pioneering air-conditioned mall Katong Shopping Centre , discovering quirky niche shops and the nostalgic remnants of a forgotten cinema belt along the way . The trail also highlights the pastel Peranakan terrace houses and uncovers the untold tales of a long-vanished maternal clinic. A stop on the tour is the 'Ghostbuster shop' at Katong Shopping Centre, which features a display of 'cursed artefacts' and videos of paranormal adventures. PHOTO: HIDDEN HERITAGE COLLECTIVE Curated by Hidden Heritage in collaboration with Ng Wee Liang, Behind The Facade is an opportunity to delve into Katong's past and uncover its lesser-known narratives , many of which are hidden in plain sight amid the bustling streets . Tickets are priced at $28. YAL Human Narratives, July 12 This standout event reimagines how people talk about the shaping of Singapore's spaces. Organised by SIA Young Architects League (YAL), this 'human library' experience invites participants to go beyond the architect's perspective and engage directly with a diverse cast of placemakers such as social workers, artists and passionate advocates who each play a vital role in the city's built environment. Instead of borrowing books, members of the public will be encouraged to look up people, with each guest – or 'human book' – sharing personal journeys and the unique ways they influence, activate or nurture urban spaces. Through intimate, small-group conversations, participants can ask questions, hear first-hand stories of challenges and triumphs, and gain a deeper understanding of how social, cultural and community-driven forces shape Singapore's neighbourhoods and public spaces. Resourcity, July 13 and 15 How can urban communities work together to ensure that Singapore thrives amid resource scarcity and unexpected crises? This is the question at the crux of the board game Resourcity, a gamified experience designed to immerse players in the challenges of building and sustaining a resilient city. The game is designed for players aged 10 years and up, making it suitable for families, students and professionals. Hosted at SUTD , it invites the public to step into the shoes of urban planners, community leaders and citizens to craft solutions to urgent real-world problems affecting cities all over the world. Players collaborate to design and manage a city by rotating and replacing tiles, connecting roads, establishing farms and planting crops, all while carefully balancing resource consumption and replenishment. The goal: Survive four major crises without depleting any essential resource type. If the resource pool runs dry, the city and its players lose. To register for the above fringe events at Singapore Archifest 2025, go to Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
AsiaOne
25-05-2025
- AsiaOne
Ado concert review: Singer without a face ignites fans while in cage with only silhouette visible, Entertainment News
Intimacy is one of the key allures of a concert, where you're just metres away from your favourite artiste — you would be forgiven for thinking you had a personal connection with them, even if just for a moment. But could you experience that intimacy if she appears in a cage on stage, obscured, with only her silhouette visible? Ado's Crunchyroll-powered Hibana world tour concert at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Wednesday (May 21) proved you certainly could, and perhaps far more than a casual listener might expect. Kicking off the show with her debut single Ussewa (2020), Ado ignited the crowd with her iconic, powerful vocals packed with raw emotions. In the confines of her cage, her silhouette danced, tumbled and thrashed, making the most of the small space she had. But the visuals were far from lacklustre — the laser lightshow more than made up for it, with beams of light spinning and overlapping, reminiscent of a rave. On the ground, the audience reciprocated with that same energy, waving their lightsticks and moving to the beat as the beams brushed over them. Ado's cage — purely physical — could do nothing to restrict the auditory delight that is her signature raspy-yet-tuneful screams as she belted out hit after hit. Each stood in stark contrast to the mellowed whispers that interspersed her songs, causing the audience to erupt in passionate cheers. Ado sang fan-favourite from One Piece Film: Red such as Fleeting Lullaby (2022) and Spy X Family season two's Kura Kura (2023), also powering through newer songs like Rockstar (2025) and Elf (2025). An impactful rendition of Sia's Chandelier (2014) was also delivered in the encore, which she closed with the rousing and hopeful New Genesis (2022) from One Piece Film: Red. 'Beyond language, beyond borders' During her encore, Ado also thanked fans present for their support. "These days, so many people know who I am... across oceans, around the world," she began. "No matter how much I think about it, it still feels surreal. I don't quite feel like myself, because at the beginning, I was completely alone." Recalling her past, Ado revealed that she used to sing alone in her closet at home, the only light in her room from her computer screen. "I sang and sang every single day," she reminisced, laughing as she shared how her mum used to yell at her to "turn it down" because she was too loud. There were people who criticised her voice or the way she sang, days when she felt very much alone and days where she felt like giving up on her dream of being a singer, Ado said. "Now, look at this," she said, her silhouette gesturing at the audience before her. "So many of you are right here in front of me. There are people all over the world who say they love my music. "I still can't believe it. This view feels like a dream, and I'm just... truly, deeply happy." Ado also wondered if there were people in the audience who were feeling the loneliness that she felt before. She empathised: "It's okay to be alone. It's okay to dream. Loneliness isn't something to be ashamed of. Even if you have insecurities, even if you feel like you're all alone — You're still allowed to dream. "No matter how lonely you are, you can still sing. That's the message I want to share — beyond language, beyond borders — with the world." Perhaps that's the secret behind Ado's popularity despite the impersonality of never showing her face — she isn't just a mysterious singer or an artiste to her fans, but more of a concept. In that concept is a silhouette — an outline which fans can fit themselves within, for them to find catharsis among other likeminded individuals and keep their own dreams alive. [[nid:716529]] bingchenghu@ khooyihang@
