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Straits Times
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Concert review: Ayumi Hamasaki's first S'pore solo show blends iconic songs with theatrical flair
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox The concert's first half resembled a musical, with Ayumi Hamasaki and her dancers embodying characters in various storylines woven together by her songs. Ayumi Hamasaki Asia Tour 2025 I Am Ayu - Singapore Singapore Indoor Stadium July 5 Queen of J-pop Ayumi Hamasaki finally performed her first solo concert in Singapore on July 5 – and what an entrance she made. As the red curtains rose, more than a dozen dancers in striking gold costumes were seen centre stage. The 46-year-old superstar then emerged, looking radiant in a Cleopatra-inspired Egyptian outfit and holding a sceptre. The near-10,000-strong capacity crowd at the Singapore Indoor Stadium went wild as she opened the show with three rock-influenced numbers – Inspire (2004), Duty (2000) and Microphone (2010). Hamasaki, or Ayu as she is known to her fans, debuted in 1998. Her rise to fame – from a flashy street-wise 'ah lian' to a polished pop princess to now the empress of pop – captivated a massive audience in Japan and beyond. At the concert, Hamasaki's widespread appeal was evident. Many concertgoers were dressed in leopard-print outfits – her signature – or T-shirts bearing her iconic 'A' logo. There were also fans who flew in from China. The singer-songwriter had kicked off her Asia tour – her first in 16 years – in Shanghai in November 2024. She later travelled to other Chinese cities – Chengdu, Ningbo and Guangzhou – and ended the tour in Japan's capital Tokyo in December 2024. Her sequel tour, or as she titled it, started in Tokyo on April 8. Her upcoming stops include Taipei, as well as Japanese cities Hiroshima, Osaka, Sendai and Fukuoka. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. 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There were moments of despair, betrayal, misunderstanding and distance, as well as courage, hope and love. For instance, during Endless Sorrow (2001), Hamasaki's wrist was bound to a pillar surrounded by despondent dancers. The scene poignantly conveyed the anguish of being caught in grief and inner turmoil. Then, as she performed her iconic 1999 hit End Roll, a song about accepting change and letting go of the past, she ultimately 'died' in the arms of her beloved. But the mood lifted when she reappeared on stage in a bride-inspired ensemble. Her heartfelt delivery of lines like 'We are on this journey to be happy', from the 2002 ballad Voyage, had the audience singing along and waving their light sticks. J-pop diva Ayumi Hamasaki opened the show in a Cleopatra-inspired Egyptian outfit and holding a scepter that exuded power. ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI Now a mother of two and having faced challenges like the loss of hearing in one ear, Hamasaki's songs felt more powerful and authentic than ever. However, the transitions between sets felt awkward and confusing. The audience experience would also have been greatly improved if there were lyrics projected on-screen in romaji and with English translations. As the 2½-hour show entered its second half, it transitioned to 'concert mode'. Dressed in a red hip-hop-inspired outfit, Hamasaki performed alternative dance-rock hits Evolution (2001) and Startin' (2006). It was not until the encore that she addressed the concertgoers in fluent English, confessing her nervousness about their reaction to her debut solo show in Singapore. She had performed at the MTV Asia Music Awards here in 2002, when she was named Most Influential Japanese Singer in Asia. She described their warm response to her solo gig as 'beyond her imagination' before exclaiming: 'I'm the happiest person in the world now.' The crowd was captivated by her unique blend of commanding vocals and an endearingly anime-like speaking voice. J-pop diva Ayumi Hamasaki's performance blends iconic songs with theatrical flair. ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI After an emotional rendition of My All (2008), an ode to unwavering love and gratitude, she exited the stage in tears. Many in the audience were inspired by her energy and resilience. For 47-year-old hairstylist Satoko Enomoto, who has lived in Singapore for six years, the concert exceeded her expectations. This was her first Hamasaki show. 'I was amazed by how Ayu's music still feels timeless yet fresh. It reflects her ability to honour the past while constantly innovating, always remaining stylish, strong and inspiring,' she says. 'I believe that's what makes her truly special and allows her to connect with fans across different generations.'
Straits Times
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
J-pop star Ayumi Hamasaki to perform at Singapore Indoor Stadium in July
Ayumi Hamasaki's tour will also stop in Hong Kong and Taipei, as well as Japanese cities Nagoya and Hiroshima. PHOTO: UNUSUAL ENTERTAINMENT SINGAPORE – Japanese pop star Ayumi Hamasaki will hold a concert at Singapore Indoor Stadium on July 5. Tickets from $188 will go on sale on May 26 via Ticketmaster. This will be the 46-year-old's first solo concert here. Her label, Avex, first announced the concert – without details on the venue, date and ticketing – in April. The show is part of her Ayumi Hamasaki Asia Tour 2025 A – I Am Ayu – tour that kicked off in Tokyo on April 8. Other stops include Hong Kong and Taipei, as well as Japanese cities Nagoya, Hiroshima, Osaka, Sendai and Fukuoka. The 2024 leg of the I Am Ayu tour saw her perform in Chinese cities Shanghai, Guangzhou and Ningbo. The tour features an immersive four-sided stage, which delivers a 360-degree experience from all sides of the venue. 'This year, we start from Japan – and we're bringing it to Asia,' the singer says in a statement. The singer, known as Ayu to her fans, made her debut in 1998. She is one of the most well known J-pop singers of the early 2000s, inspiring fashion trends and charting with songs such as A (1999) and Seasons (2000). In Singapore, she performed at the Japanese music festival A-Nation at Marina Bay Sands in 2014. She also performed at the MTV Asia Music Awards in Singapore in 2002. Book it/Ayumi Hamasaki Asia Tour 2025 A – I Am Ayu – Where: Singapore Indoor Stadium, 2 Stadium Walk When: July 5, 7.30pm Admission: From $188 to $368 via Ticketmaster (go to or call 6018-7645) from noon on May 26 Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
