THE STAR WAS SHINING AGAIN
Bandung, Nov 18, 2006I always look the sky above wherever I go. I don't know since when I have the habit or why I do that. Maybe becoz I have a feeling that the sky has all answers for every question and all reasons for everything. Or maybe simply I feel closer to God everytime I look above.
I did my habit again when I came to Anggun's concert in Bandung. It was like a deja vu when I saw stars were shining out there, just like the night when Anggun did concert in Jakarta several months ago. Once again, the Indonesian sky was smiling to her shining daughter.
Venue: Hangar B, Husein Sastranegara Airport (yeah baby, it's an airport!!!!)I visited the venue in the afternoon and I really didn't have an idea how the crew could change the hangar to be a good place, both in interior design and audio-system design for a high-class concert. But I did believe the ability of Jay Subyakto that has architectural-education background and so many experiences in stage design.
That night, many Bandung's radio stations parked their vans and played Anggun's songs. In the front of the venue, there was lightlamps splitted the Bandung sky. Jay proved that we shouldn't underestimate his sense and ability. That night, a hangar didn't look like a hangar, but like a world-class concert venue. In the aspect of interior design, Jay could put Anggun's images of simplicity, chic, full of meaning, and the international aura to the place. After the enter gate, we would find the red carpet for the narcist fans (Anggun really understands her fans, doesn't her?). Then there were 6 projectors in right-left side that showed Anggun's video clips. There were also an ultimate sponsor booth: A mild that sold their merchandises. The stage itself was almost alike with Jakarta's concert stage: simple but glamour. It consisted of: one large screen in the middle, 2 big triangle object backgrounds, musical instrument in the left side and a grand piano in the right side. But the Bandung stage was smaller, lower, and had longer catwalk. Jay completed it with a fantastic and colorful lighting system. It was amazing!
In the aspect of audio design, Jay looked give his best for changing the bad audio effect of hangar to be the almost perfect audio system. There was no sound distortion, no over-sounding environment. I felt more like in a music studio than in a hangar. It was really comfortable environment for our ears.
The CrowdThis time, the stage was more friendly with the visitors in the Festival area. The stage was lower and the Festival area was larger. It made easier for the crowd to see Anggun and enjoy the concert. Anggun had many kind of spectators that night. Little children and old people, Indonesians and foreigners, funky teens and conservative-mature people, the curious people and hardcore-fans (read: Anggunesia) gathered in Anggun's concert.
During the concert, the Festival crowds near the catwalk couldn't stop waving to her, even Anggun joked: "Hey, I'm just coming and you already wanna say goodbye? How come?" LOL!
Bandung's crowd also had big voice. They could sing out loud and call Anggun's unstoppen. The best moment was when Anggun asked the crowd to follow her sang the lyric "In your mind....in your mind" with 4 kind of melodies. That was time when I almost lost my voice, LOL!
The funny moment when a personnel of Saunine refused to give his red hat to Anggun. He would give it if only Anggun kissed his cheek. Spontaneously, the crowd yelled: "Kiss him....kiss him...kiss him!" And Anggun kissed that lucky guy.... LOL!
In Tua-Tua Keladi song, all people were standing up, going to the front, dancing and singing together. There was an 'earthquake' on the venue. But there was also the romantic moment. The one while Anggun was singing the last song 'Go', a visitor in Festival gave her a bunch of roses. Anggun took it, took off the band, kissed a rose, and gave it to that visitor. That was her elegant way to say thanks for him/her without speaking.
The Concert: Superb!The concert was opened with the song 'Kembali' (read: back home). Like in Jakarta, in the beginning, the stage was covered with the white curtain. The 'Kembali' intro was played with the lyrics written on the curtain. When the song entered its refrain, the curtain suddenly fell down. The crowd screamed out loud and the cellullar phones were ready to take pictures, LOL. Right there in the middle of stage, Anggun appeared sang the refrain of the song. I've already seen it in Jakarta, but it still had surprising effect for me.
The concert was breathtaking from the start til the end. All aspects were great! Anggun, the band, and Saunine performed fabulous. Anggun and the band made new arrangement for each songs until we couldn't guess what was the song in the beginning. They added more rock element, did some improvisations and did a little change in the kind of music. The songs were same with in Jakarta's concert, except 'Captivity' was changed with 'I'll be Alright'
Each song had own stage performance thru additional visualization of video on the big screen, or special lighting, or images that projected on 2 big triangle backgrounds. It enriched the atmosphere of songs.
But my favorite part was Indonesian section when Anggun sang her old Indonesian songs with Saunine. There were accoustic sound with a little ethnic background. It was really entertaining the ears and the eyes too. Becoz Anggun and Saunine were so impressive!
Anggun: The Star!Anggun has ever said, "The best place for a true singer is on the stage". She didn't make a bull$hit statement coz she proved that herself. On the stage that night, she sang 20 songs consistently, without even a drop. And in many parts of each song, she made the improvisation and sang it with high tune. Indeed, there was a little more 'rock' in the way she sang. She also gave soul for each song thru her face expression and body language during the concert. For me, she is a true singer!
In the song 'Breathe in Water', her voice was so deep like the ocean, blowing hearts like the wind of the sea, warm like the morning sunshine. I also loved the part when Anggun played piano, sang 'On the breath of an angel'. Her voice was clear like a crystal, soft like the wings of angel, soulful from her heart. Anggun also looked so sexy with the piano. And in the last song, 'Go', her voice could make many people almost cried....maybe also becoz it was the last song and people didn't wanna say goodbye.
Anggun is not only a true singer, but also a great entertainer. With her great sense of humour and her high communication skill, she chatted with the crowd so easily like with her friends. There was no doubt nor a 'gap' that usually happens in the first meeting. Anggun made the stage was borderless and herself was approachable.
Like the meaning of her name, Anggun was an elegant woman and she realized that. So she wore 4 beautiful dresses that added the value of her elegance. Her personality itself could amaze the people, what happened if she completed it with beautiful appearance? The answer: all eyes couldn't stop looking at her.
Anggun, I'm addicted to your concert!
Thank you Anggun, the band, Saunine, Jay and the crew for entertaining us that night....