Latest news with #TaufikBatisah:OneLastDance
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Taufik Batisah announces farewell concert after two decades
SINGAPORE: Twenty-one years after being crowned Singapore's inaugural Singapore Idol champion, singer Taufik Batisah is finally set to perform his first solo concert. However, the show, titled "Taufik Batisah: One Last Dance" and scheduled for Oct 25 at The Star Theatre, will also mark his final solo performance, as he intends it to be a one-off event. "I strive to achieve clarity in my work and life," Taufik, 43, explained in a recent interview with The Straits Times. "You have to be clear with your intentions, and you have to just work towards that intention." Beyond his music career, Taufik is also a property agent, actor, and co-owner of the interior design company Ivory Cove. He also creates social media content with his wife and manager, Sheena Akbal, 40. "If there are invites to shows here and there, if they still want me, I'll probably consider them," he added, alluding to potential future appearances. The idea for a solo concert first emerged in 2018, but Taufik's busy schedule put it on hold. It was Sheena, whom he married in 2015, who consistently encouraged him to commit to the project. "She told me, 'You have to commit to it. Do it for the fans because they've been asking for the longest time.'" Taufik admits that headlining The Star Theatre, which boasts a capacity of 5,000, is "scary," particularly as he will be the first Singaporean Malay solo act to take the stage there on his own. "We have to be very realistic (about filling up the venue), but we're hoping for the best. We plan to give the fans the best experience." Plans for the upcoming show, which is expected to run for at least 90 minutes, began to materialise earlier in 2025 following discussions with fellow home-grown singer Sufi Rashid, who runs SAH Entertainment. Backed by a full orchestra, Taufik's set list will span his extensive music career. This will include his Singapore Idol finale number, 'I Dream' (2005), the cover songs he performed as a contestant in the 2004 reality singing competition, and popular Malay radio hits such as 'Usah Lepaskan' (Don't Let It Go), a ballad from his 2006 sophomore album, All Because Of You. "There will be moments where I hope [the fans] will feel as emotional as I will be when I'm on stage," he shared. "I want to take them on a journey of what they have given me in the past 20 years because, ultimately, this is a concert for the supporters." Taufik also expressed an interest in a joint concert with the two Singapore Idol winners who succeeded him: Hady Mirza, who won the second season in 2006, and Sezairi, the winner of the third and final season in 2009.
New Paper
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Paper
Taufik Batisah's first solo concert will also be his last
Twenty-one years after he became the country's inaugural Singapore Idol champ, local singer Taufik Batisah is finally staging his first solo concert. But the show - titled Taufik Batisah: One Last Dance and set to take place at The Star Theatre on Oct 25 - will also be his last, as he plans for it to be a one-and-done affair. "I strive to achieve clarity in my work and life. You have to be clear with your intentions, and you have to just work towards the intention," he tells The Straits Times in an interview at a press event to announce the gig. The event was held at the Prinsep Street outlet of Chix Hot Chicken, the restaurant brand he co-owns. The 43-year-old multi-hyphenate is a property agent, an actor and the owner of interior design company Ivory Cove. He also produces social media content with his wife and manager Sheena Akbal, 40. "If there are invites to shows here and there, if they still want me, I'll probably consider them. But my main focus is going to be real estate, my ID (interior design) team and Chix Hot Chicken." Taufik says he first had the idea to do a solo concert in 2018 but was held back by his busy schedule, as well as the challenge of organising a show that would meet his standards. Singer Taufik Batisah says that he wants to focus on his real estate career and various businesses. PHOTO: BERITA HARIAN It was Sheena, whom he married in 2015, who constantly encouraged him to get it done. "She told me, you have to commit to it. Do it for the fans because they've been asking for the longest time." Taufik admits it is "scary" to headline The Star Theatre, which has a capacity of 5,000 - especially as he will be the first Singaporean solo Malay act to take the stage on his own. "We have to be very realistic (about filling up the venue), but we're hoping for the best. We plan to give the fans the best experience." The closest he got to doing something similar was a solo showcase for 1,600 fans at Kallang Theatre back in 2005, less than a year after his Singapore Idol win. Plans for the upcoming show - which is slated to be at least 90 minutes long - started coming together earlier in 2025 after he had discussions with fellow home-grown singer Sufi Rashid, who runs SAH Entertainment. The company has in recent years organised shows by acts from Malaysian pop queen Siti Nurhaliza to American R&B singer Ne-Yo. Backed by a full orchestra, Taufik's set list will comprise songs dating back to his early music career. These will include the Singapore Idol finale number I Dream (2005), the cover songs he sang as a contestant on the 2004 reality singing competition, as well Malay radio hits such as Usah Lepaskan (Don't Let It Go), a ballad from his 2006 sophomore album All Because Of You. He will also sing tracks off his last album Fique (2014), which included hit song #AwakKatMane (Where Are You). "There will be moments where I hope (the fans) will feel as emotional as I will be when I'm on stage. I want to take them on a journey of what they have given me in the past 20 years because, ultimately, this is a concert for the supporters." Among other items on his bucket list? Starting a podcast with his wife that discusses healthy relationships, as well as venturing into new businesses. Taufik is also game to do a joint concert with the two Singapore Idol winners who succeeded him: Hady Mirza, who won the second season in 2006, and Sezairi, who won the third and final season in 2009. On Hady pivoting to becoming a realtor, having announced the news on Instagram on June 27, Taufik says: "I'm happy to see that he's progressing in the direction that I think he should be going. "It's important for us to be happy for other people, for us to not feel threatened. If you feel threatened, then you're not doing enough in whatever it is you're doing, be it music, entertainment or real estate. We should feel inspired to do better." Book it/Taufik Batisah: One Last Dance Where: The Star Theatre, 04-01 The Star Performing Arts Centre, 1 Vista Exchange Green When: Oct 25, 8pm Admission: Tickets via Sistic (go to or call 6348-5555), prices to be announced. Pre-sale for SAH Entertainment members start on July 9, from 10am to 1.59pm. General sales start from July 9, 2pm.
Straits Times
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Singapore Idol Taufik Batisah's upcoming first solo concert will also be his last
SINGAPORE – Twenty-one years after he became the country's inaugural Singapore Idol champ, local singer Taufik Batisah is finally staging his first solo concert. But the show – titled Taufik Batisah: One Last Dance and set to take place at The Star Theatre on Oct 25 – will also be his last, as he plans for it to be a one-and-done affair. 'I strive to achieve clarity in my work and life. You have to be clear with your intentions, and you have to just work towards the intention,' he tells The Straits Times in an interview at a press event to announce the gig. The event was held at the Prinsep Street outlet of Chix Hot Chicken, the restaurant brand he co-owns. The 43-year-old multi-hyphenate is a property agent, an actor and the owner of interior design company Ivory Cove. He also produces social media content with his wife and manager Sheena Akbal, 40. 'If there are invites to shows here and there, if they still want me, I'll probably consider them. But my main focus is going to be real estate, my ID (interior design) team and Chix Hot Chicken.' Taufik says he first had the idea to do a solo concert in 2018 but was held back by his busy schedule, as well as the challenge of organising a show that would meet his standards. Singer Taufik Batisah says that he wants to focus on his real estate career and various businesses. PHOTO: BERITA HARIAN It was Sheena, whom he married in 2015, who constantly encouraged him to get it done. 'She told me, you have to commit to it. Do it for the fans because they've been asking for the longest time.' Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore NDP celebrations to be held at 5 heartland sites, including Bishan and Punggol, on Aug 10 Singapore NDP 2025: Tank that bumped into traffic light lost steering and braking power due to faulty part World 25% on Japan and Malaysia, 40% on Laos: Trump's tariff letters to Asia add pressure for deals by Aug 1 Asia China warns Trump on tariffs, threatens retaliation on supply chain deals Singapore Grab to trial driverless shuttle for staff between Media Circle office and one-north MRT station Singapore Ong Beng Seng's new pre-trial conference date set for July 23 Multimedia 'I suspect he's cheating': She finds proof when spouses stray Asia Thai authorities vow crackdown on cannabis-infused products after toddler hospitalised Taufik admits it is 'scary' to headline The Star Theatre, which has a capacity of 5,000 – especially as he will be the first Singaporean solo Malay act to take the stage on his own. 'We have to be very realistic (about filling up the venue), but we're hoping for the best. We plan to give the fans the best experience.' The closest he got to doing something similar was a solo showcase for 1,600 fans at Kallang Theatre back in 2005, less than a year after his Singapore Idol win. Plans for the upcoming show – which is slated to be at least 90 minutes long – started coming together earlier in 2025 after he had discussions with fellow home-grown singer Sufi Rashid, who runs SAH Entertainment. The company has in recent years organised shows by acts from Malaysian pop queen Siti Nurhaliza to American R&B singer Ne-Yo. Backed by a full orchestra, Taufik's set list will comprise songs dating back to his early music career. These will include the Singapore Idol finale number I Dream (2005), the cover songs he sang as a contestant on the 2004 reality singing competition, as well Malay radio hits such as Usah Lepaskan (Don't Let It Go), a ballad from his 2006 sophomore album All Because Of You. He will also sing tracks off his last album Fique (2014), which included hit song #AwakKatMane (Where Are You). 'There will be moments where I hope (the fans) will feel as emotional as I will be when I'm on stage. I want to take them on a journey of what they have given me in the past 20 years because, ultimately, this is a concert for the supporters.' Among other items on his bucket list? Starting a podcast with his wife that discusses healthy relationships, as well as venturing into new businesses. Taufik is also game to do a joint concert with the two Singapore Idol winners who succeeded him: Hady Mirza, who won the second season in 2006, and Sezairi, who won the third and final season in 2009. On Hady pivoting to becoming a realtor, having announced the news on Instagram on June 27, Taufik says: 'I'm happy to see that he's progressing in the direction that I think he should be going. 'It's important for us to be happy for other people, for us to not feel threatened. If you feel threatened, then you're not doing enough in whatever it is you're doing, be it music, entertainment or real estate. We should feel inspired to do better.' Book it/Taufik Batisah: One Last Dance
