王力宏！王力宏！Wang Lee Hom's Music Man II Concert in Beijing

Wang Lee Hom performing 火力全开 ("Open Fire")

Last night I attended my first ever Chinese concert…..the amazingly talented (and super hot) Wang Lee Hom. Alex and I went to Wang Lee Hom’s Music Man II concert at the Bird’s Nest in Beijing. It was a beautiful night, warm with a slight breeze. The top of the Bird’s Nest was open, and we enjoyed a great “outdoor” concert. As the sky grew darker, the glowing light sticks of the audience grew brighter, illuminating the stadium. Before we entered the stadium, we had been bombarded by vendors selling giant glow sticks that flashed repeatedly, preventing all epileptics from fully enjoying the concert.

A stage fit for the Year of the Dragon.....not coincidentally Wang Lee Hom's birth year.

The stadium quieted in anticipation. As we waited in suspense, the stage flashed a fiery red, revealing a dragon pattern around its border. Smoke crept in from both sides of the stage, and through the smoke, I could just make out the outline of…..a tank. Not just any tank, but a colorful and brightly lit tank moving slowly, emerging, taking place at the center of the stage. As it stopped, the entire stadium was filled with voices chanting “Lee Hom! Lee Hom! Lee Hom!” A red figure appeared standing atop the tank. It was Wang Lee Hom, standing and ready to blow us away with his music.

Playing a dragon guitar. While some warrior guy looms creepily behind him.

My first impression of the concert was that it was like a giant KTV session. As Lee Hom sang, his lyrics were displayed on the smaller screens for people to follow along, and he encouraged the audience to “Sing louder!” He did a good job at engaging his audience and connecting with them. The entire show lasted about three hours with no intermission, which was pretty impressive. Since Mandarin isn’t my first language, it was a bit difficult for me to understand some of the songs. Which was fine, because it allowed me to concentrate on the music.

Wang Lee Hom playing a space-like, orby piano.

Throughout the concert, Lee Hom showcased his musical talent by playing the piano, guitar (a sick looking dragon guitar), violin, and a traditional Chinese instrument of which I do not know the name. There was also a crazy piano duel with another renowned pianist. Hearing him play the piano was incredibly inspirational, and reminded me of how I feel when I’m playing the piano. I miss having one in my own home, and I definitely want to start playing more often after hearing his skills. That’s just one more thing to bond over when we finally meet, right? =P

I would say that Alex better watch out, except for the fact that in reality, Wang Lee Hom may be MY competition rather than him being Alex’s. I was really happy to get these tickets to the Music Man II concert, because I know that Alex is a huge fan. His favorite word to describe the American-born Taiwanese pop star is 帅, or cool/handsome. This was actually the first concert Alex and I have ever been to together! I told Alex at the end of the night that despite the screaming girls (and quite a lot of guys) and the hugeness of Lee Hom’s stardom, he seems like a regular guy, and if we met, I bet we’d be friends. We’d bond over our ABC-ness and working and living in China, I’d challenge him to a little one-on-one basketball (and kick his butt, of course, after which he’d be super impressed), and maybe he’d even take me under his wing as my piano mentor. *Sigh* A girl can only dream, right?

Me and Alex in front of the Bird's Nest before the concert.