Super K-POP Concert Sydney: Korea Friendship Concert (SHINee, Shin Seung Hoon & Son Ho Young)

SHINee: Onew, Taimin, Minho, Key, Jonghyun (absent)

The term unprecedented is often used today to describe many situations undeserving of such an adjective, however the Super K-POP concert at Town Hall, on Wednesday January 12th, starring the Korean megastars SHINee, the iconic contemporary R&B group catalyst of the SHINee fashion trend currently spreading across Asia; Shin Seung Hoon, the "Emperor of Ballad" celebrating his 20th year in the charts; and Son Ho Young, previously a member of one of Korea's most successful groups g.o.d., cannot be described as anything less. Australia has yet to be properly exposed to the marvels of Korean Pop music, let alone in such a capital abundance - so what be the occasion, you ask? The 50th Anniversary of diplomatic relations between Australia and Korea! In tradition, a 50th anniversary calls for the exchanging of gifts of gold, and indeed this is exactly what this concert was. As the Korean representative mentioned, along with his translator, hopefully a greater awareness of Korean culture will grow in Australia. And after the Super K-POP concert, may we please suggest that a most effective way to encourage such awareness would be to fulfil this request: 

MORE K-POP PLEASE ^^

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Lucifer - SHINee

Sofie's video of SHINee arriving at the airport in the morning

Friday Night Christmas at Oxford Art Factory

RAPIDS / PLUTO JONZE / THE PROTECTORS / THE JEZABELS

REGINA SPEKTOR!!! (+ Jupiter One)

Regina Spektor at the Sydney Opera House, 28th April 2010

Regina Spektor is easily one of the most talented and modest musicians out there & blends musical creativity & superb skill whilst also appealing to the masses (as one could tell from her sold out shows and the full throttle encores) - which we all know is hard to do in today's music scene. I could not imagine any way in which her performance last night could have been more enjoyable. There was a great mixture of current and older songs - of which I had a mild freak out when I heard the bom-de-bump-bump opening of Hotel Song. And of course, Regina's charming quirkiness had the crowd wrapped around her finger.

The only thing that irritated me, was the empty seats during the support act. I'm not a great fan of support-act snobbery, in fact I think by coming for the support act, the crowd in turn supports the main artist even more, and this can work vice versa. Those who missed Jupiter One were the ones who missed out. Like Regina, they combine classical musical skill with melodies that the audience as a whole could appreciate. Imagine a guy jamming to a violin, played like a guitar? K Ishibashi is awesome. On top of that, imagine rocking out to a cello!? And then add some drums. This musical combination and style is what my ears have been searching for. Needless to say, I bought their cd after.

I won't go into details of every time someone called out "Play [insert song]!". Although my favourite sequence was "Play your favourite" followed by "Give her a minute!" followed by "shut up!". Overall, it was a great night & I look forward to the next time I will be able to see her.

ps - sooooo much better in real life than on the cd - now that's saying something!
pps - On the Radio

set list

That Time

standing ovation