Lo & behold

THE air was moist and the sand damp as the crowd gathered at the Surf Beach at Sunway Lagoon. Wriggling my toes in my shoes now filled with sand, I noticed most who came to watch Justin Lo perform that night had on flip-flops and sandals.

It was going to be a beach party – and his fans came appropriately dressed.

The hype of the night was first stirred by opening act, Alvin Chong, the champion of the District Leo Idol 2008. He got the crowd into the groove and they were chanting and cheering as the lights faded into the glare of the giant screen, counting down to Lo’s entrance.

Appearing perched cross-legged in the middle of the stage, the Cantopop singer-songwriter-actor then rose with his opener ATW. The chrome-like finish of his dirty gold suit and tapered three-quarter pants glittered in the light and LEDs lined around the crown of his top hat gleamed bright.

The night was all about extravagance, glamour and wackiness all rolled in one. Lo’s multiple wardrobe changes – from 50s-themed costume get-ups to futuristic coats and headgear studded with LED lights, and everything else in-between – further fuelled the energy of his performance.

The sea of fans could barely sit still because Lo knew just how to spur and serenade his crowd.

Belting out popular hits like B.O.K, Ngo Yau Gam Yat (I Have Today), Hou Yan (Good Man) and more, Lo kept the fans singing along with him throughout the night.

The hearts of over 7,000 Malaysian fans swooned when he turned the hit single Erica from his 2005 debut album into a song for Malaysia, resonating our famous Malaysia, Truly Asia piece.

Lo also paid tribute to the late Cantopop legend, Leslie Cheung, impersonating some of his famous tunes and even did a rendition of Jackson Five’s I Want You Back after performing Michael Jackson’s She’s Outta My Life, spewing his heartbreak all over the microphone.

The night rang of quirky acts with the rendition of Eurythmics’ Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) by Justin’s keyboardist Dennie Wong, a renowned composer cum music producer from Hongkong, in a panda suit.

Then out came the oddest act of the night – Vietnam-born The Temple Street Prince Jackson Wan Kwong who, together with Lo, rapped to a medley of techno beat and a series of the veteran’s popular melodies.

The night mellowed as Lo turned the energy down a notch with his 30 Yat (30 Days). The 35-year-old musician hit a sentimental high note and started tearing.

“I didn’t think I’d cry but to see the crowd like this […] it’s going to be awhile before the next time I come back to sing Cantonese songs,” sobbed the singer who was overpowered by emotions on his new move to Beijing. Lo will now be writing mostly Mandarin songs.

Composing himself once again, Lo bounded offstage to greet fans, tapping their hands as he strolled along the barricade of fans holding up placards and glowsticks.

Screeches for his attention rang out over the booming music as arms flailed wildly in hopes of touching the star.

Lo was indeed loved and fans beckoned and called for encore after encore.

Proving his showmanship once more, Lo reappeared onstage to streams of water, finally ending the night – truly beach-party style.

The Justin Around the World Tour 2011 was organised by Galaxy Group.