After three years of silence from The Click Five and the departure of lead vocalist Eric Dill (not to mention the shock breakup of popular bands such as Fall Out Boy and Panic! At The Disco earlier this year), it should come as no surprise to anyone that I would think that the pop/rock quintet from Boston, Massachusetts is well – dead.

Quite happily, they proved today (okay, last night to be exact) that they are alive and kicking – all ready to captivate Singapore anew with their irresistible melodies and powerful guitar chords. Move over Justine Bieber (pun intended)!

But first, let us start at the very beginning.

One of the numerous benefits that come with being a Samsung Mobile Explorer is getting to go to the Celebration @ Marina Bay with VVIP tickets. (That’s front row seats!) Sophie and I headed down to The Promontory, Marina Boulevard at 4 pm despite the fact that The Click Five was only scheduled to come on at 9 pm.

The turn out was plain dismal with sparse pockets of people scattered around the premises (it is a very tough life for aspiring local musicians here in Singapore). But I digress. The first act of the day was Shirlyn Tan and the UnXpected!

Frankly, I have never heard of her before, but her music was pretty cool. My companion, Geraldine, particularly liked her cover of “Viva La Vida” by Coldplay and “Starlight” by Muse.

Next up was Inch Chua and The Metric System.

I would love to like her. I mean, she was fun, bubbly, had energetic dance moves and possessed amazing stage presence. But I just wasn’t impressed by her voice.  She mostly sang from her EP and her recently released album, which is available for free download at http://inchchua.bandcamp.com/. Give it a listen and tell me what you think!

Nathan Hartono and Friends followed. I have heard a lot about the jazz sensation, which correspondingly led to high expectations. And he did not disappoint. His dulcet voice effortlessly hit the more difficult notes on popular hits such as “Come Fly with Me” by Frank Sinatra and “If it’s Magic” by Stevie Wonder. On a less impressive note, he also performed “Viva La Vida” (Yes, AGAIN), which sounded rather flat.

It is quite incredulous that the organisers could unknowingly (or at least I hope it is unknowingly) allow two acts to perform the same song in the same concert. That’s almost as bad as Nicole Kidman turning up at the 44^th annual Academy of Country Music Awards in a dress Beyonce wore two years ago. Don’t even get me started on the retch inducing repetition of Wonder Girl’s “Nobody” across the various concerts. 

Still, credit must be given to Hartono, who sang superbly without the aid of a live band. As this segment was titled “Nathan Hartono and Friends”, Hartono’s friends came up to perform as well. This was where things took a downturn in terms of mood and excitement. 

Xing Fen (I hope this is correct >_>... because I didn't really catch her name when she was being introduced) sang a Chinese single off her debut album called “We De Mei Yi Tian”, which sounded terrible to someone who lives and breathes Jolin Tsai and Jay Chou. I can only recommend Auto-Tune.

She also did a dance routine, which was all fine and dandy – up till the point she started to sound painfully breathless halfway into her second song “Nobody” by Wonder Girls. I applaud her for trying her best to both sing and dance but, really, all I was thinking at that moment was: Please just do it Ashley Simpson style (read: lip sync) and spare my ears from the aural assault. It was that bad.

 The other friend, Dominic Wong, while nowhere as bleak, clearly had a long way to go. The juxtaposition of his performance against Nathan Hartono’s calm and collected demeanour was stark; he even used a music stand, which annoyed Geraldine to no end since it meant she couldn’t get a proper shot of his face.

I quite like his songs though, especially "342", a song about a baby that only had 342 minutes left to live. The song is a message to its mum, with a short reply at the end, and was quite touching.

There was a break here before the next set, and we ACTUALLY GOT TO MEET THE CLICK FIVE FACE TO FACE courtesy of Samsung! All five members signed a poster for me, and I even shook Kyle Patrick’s and Joey Zehr’s hands! Now pardon me, I’ve got sand in my eyes. *sniffles*

We also took a group picture with them! 

After some more waiting while The Click Five did their sound checks. The by then full crowd roared their approval when they finally came on stage. They started off the set with “Catch Your Wave”, which had the audience singing along. At some parts, I could barely hear Kyle through all the shrieking and screaming going on beside me -____-.

I am not exaggerating when I say that The Click Five had the audience eating out of their hands. We lapped up everything they said and sang, and then demanded more. They also performed radio hits such as “Jenny” and “Empty”. It is also notable that they made a special effort to interact with the crowd, making light banter in between songs and even teaching us to sing the chorus to their new single “Be in Love” (YES, THEY HAVE A NEW ALBUM IN THE WORKS) unlike during their last tour here in 2007, where they were cool to the point of cold. 

If you could just hear the squeals of excitement and cries of adulation when they announced one of their new songs “I Quit! I Quit! I Quit!”, you would never have believed that their popularity ever waned. The highlight of the show had to be when Kyle yelled for the crowd to stand up and dance, which they quickly obliged. Needless to say, we joined in the fun. (Sorry, didn’t take any pictures here – we were too busy stomping in tune to the beat!)

At this point, KYLE PATRICK THREW HIS GUITAR PICK AT ME. I SAW THE FREAKING THING FLASH PAST MY FACE, BUT BEFORE I COULD REGISTER THE FACT THAT HE THREW A PICK AT ME… a Malay boy picked it up. To say I was grief stricken would be an understatement.

More photos of The Click Five!

After the concert, Geraldine, Sophie and I hung around the area to catch The Click Five as they leave the area. To my tremendous surprise, Kyle Patrick and Joey Zehr both came up to the barricade to sign autographs and take photographs with the fans. 

True to her fanatical self, Geraldine started shrieking like a demented banshee and started jostling her way (you don’t wanna try her elbows. They are lethal. Trust me on this) to the front while Sophie and I stare bemusedly at her (we already shook their hands and received their autographs remember).

She got the autographs and we all left the concert with happy smiles on our faces. Three cheers for The Click Five. I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait for their new album already! *Proceeds to e-stalk http://www.theclickfive.com/*

Sophie (middle), Geraldine (left) and I (handsome one) after the concert!

If you were not already aware that Singapore is on the cusp of the inaugural Youth Olympic Games (tomorrow to be exact), then there is a very reasonable chance that you live under that proverbial rock.

The media frenzy perpetuated by the arrival of the Youth Olympic Flame from Ancient Olympia, Greece across five continents to our shores on Aug 5, and even before that, has led to a glut of information about the truly historic event for our city-state – some the singing high praises of veneration, others pouring the withering scorn of castigation.

Now that we have had quite some time to digest and think over the cornucopia of news that has been thrust upon us, let us strip away the excess fat to get to the meat of the issue.

The benefits are irrefutable. Hosting the YOG is a once in a lifetime opportunity to elevate the nation’s global stature and accelerate its social, economic, and political development. In a Channel News Asia article titled ‘Govt to spend S$387m on YOG, up from initial estimate of S$122m’ on Jul 6 earlier this year, it was reported that “the value of YOG and Singapore’ exposure in local and international news coverage is estimated to be in excess of S$86 million.”

If the past few Olympic games are anything to judge by, the YOG will also prove to be a major cash cow for Singapore. According to statistics released by the National Audit Office, the Beijing Organizing Committee, the 2008 Beijing Olympic game’s operating revenues totaled RMB 20.5 billion ($4.080 billion), far outstripping the initially projected RMB 10.999 billion ($2.189 billion).  

Similarly – albeit on a much reduced scale - the YOG is expected to attract an estimated 40,000 foreign visitors and about $57 million in tourism dollars. The Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS), said, “this would benefit many sectors of the Singapore economy, such as hotels, F&B, entertainment, retail and transportation.”

Investments totaling $260 million in infrastructure and public works integral to the successful hosting of the YOG will also in essence function as a financial stimulus package, and is expected to form the backbone of Singapore’s burgeoning economy.

In fact, Singapore is expected to overtake China as Asia's fastest growing economy in 2010, with The Ministry of Trade and Industry revising GDP growth forecast upwards to 4.5 to 6.5 per cent from the previous 3 to 5 percent earlier this year in February. This is all the more impressive considering that the major markets – the United States, Europe and, closer to home, Japan – are still being plagued by jittery sentiments.

Perhaps more importantly, the YOG is an excellent platform for us to showcase our up-and-coming athletes and reaffirm the growing MICE industry here. It is also in Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports, words, “an excellent platform for Singaporeans to rally behind a common cause, and do Singapore proud.”

But it is there, unfortunately, where the glitter starts to fade off.

For a much-vaunted and publicised international event, YOG has appallingly failed to impress the most common denominator – the public. In an online poll conducted by Channel News Asia, a shocking 88 per cent of 5,639 respondents expressed complete disinterest in the YOG.

A quick check across popular online forums like www.sgforums.com revealed a similar lukewarm reception. Perhaps most telling is the emergence of groups contemptuous of the YOG on popular social media Facebook that have garnered supporters in the hundreds. Ugly allegations of misleading portrayals by state media of supposedly sluggish YOG ticket sales have also emerged.

Public disdain and disaffection only crescendoed when Mr Niam Chiang Meng, the Permanent Secretary for MCYS, announced in a Straits Times article titled ‘YOG surpasses budget’ on Jul 6 that the YOG budget will more than treble to $387 million from $107 million. Mr Niam stressed that the benefits of hosting the YOG still greatly outweigh the costs.

A friend of my, was scathing in his assessment of the YOG.

“If the Government has so much money to waste on a glorified circus show featuring foreign versus foreign fixtures, they might as well invest the time and money on the nation’s needy instead. The YOG is extravagantly ostentatious and a profligate waste of resources,” he elucidated.

Other members of the public are also chaffing at the bridle at what they perceive to be high-handedness from the Government; hot on the heels of a slew of road closures for the recent National Day Parade, The Land Transport Authority has designated lanes along “seven expressways and 15 arterial roads” as Youth Olympic lanes.

Motorists who fail to give way to any Youth Olympic vehicle with special YOG license plates on these lanes will be liable to a $130 fine.

But is this public discontent fair? Are Singaporeans being overly ungracious, selfish and destitute of national pride? I do not know, much less have any sort definitive answer to this seething debacle. What I do know, however, is that while there is also an increasingly vocal group of Singaporeans who actively champion the YOG and all that it stands for, the mere fact that such a substantial group of naysayers who disparage the YOG at every turn exists cannot bode well for us, or our image.

At the end of day, perhaps Singaporeans are so culturally eroded and socially disconnected to the point of apathy that they do not (want to) feel that they are a part of the Games.

I, for one, would very much love for my friend to eat his own words.

How are you guys doing? It's SOPHIE here again!

Wow, I can't believe that it has been a little over the week since YOG started. Seems much longer than that for me because I have been so caught up with all the activities going on, and getting to know my Korean and Chinese Samsung Mobile Explorers better.

In fact, buckets of tears were shed on all sides just last night, because one of our Korean friends, Hanna Kim, had to go back to Korea ahead of time due to her school's schedule.

But goodbyes aside, I'm actually kind of looking forward to the end of YOG, because judging by the success of the opening ceremony, I am sure that the closing ceremony would be a more epic event!

Really, kudos to the YOG committee for a job well done.

Got a second shock of the night when I reached the entrance queue. It was so long!
 

Oh and the view at the float was awesome, with the new Marina Bay Sands in the background.

One more of the light show just because the whole scene was so breathtakingly beautiful.

For those of you who have been following the news on YOG, you would have been aware of the controversy behind the committee's decision to have a segment in the opening ceremony that includes a pole-dancing performance, for which they hired a former stripper from Sydney, Bobbi, who has over 20 years of experience in pole-dancing.

Well, I for one, thought that the whole pole-dancing segment was very elegant and artistic. The dancers looked so beautiful and ethereal as they scaled the pole with amazing agility and flexibility.

Olympic tattoo! Heheh trying to act all hip and indie by applying it on my inner wrist.

Then, Mr Jacques Rogge, the eighth and current president of the Internation Olympic Committee, gave a riveting speech and one particular quote from him left a deep impression on me.

"To win, you merely have to cross the finish line first. To be a champion, you have to inspire admiration for your character."

As Tabitha Nauser, Jody Williams, Jessica Mauboy and Steve Appleton came on to perform the YOG theme song, "Everyone", lots of birds were released into the air!

Ok not real birds but it still looks beautiful against the city skyline!

Reminds me of the Visa advertisement starring Richard Gere. More birds, more luck! HAHAHAHHHAHA OK LAME.

Last but not least, the lighting of the cauldron!

Alright people, that's it for now! Toodles, and enjoy what's remaining of YOG!

Hello people, your favorite blogger, SOPHIE is here again! *shameless self-promotion* I got to meet my fellow Samsung Mobile Explorers (SMEs) from China and Korea yesterday, a day before the official start of YOG. Stepping into the room was pretty nerve wrecking. It feels just like the first day of school, where everybody is a stranger to you. Are they going to like me? Will they think that I am a very odd human being? Can we really get to know each other better despite the language barrier? Well, it turns out that I have nothing much to worry about. The Korean and China delegates were all really friendly and humorous to boot!

As for the language barrier… well it was not much of a concern, because I am a Chinese therefore I have a pretty good command of the language. *waves an A2 grade from GCE ‘O’ level Chinese in your face*
Besides, the China SMEs all speak pretty decent English. As for the Korean SMEs, not all of them speak English, but those who do have a very strong command of the language, and for those for who do not… well there is always body language and the sparse Korean that I have picked up from watching too much Korean dramas and variety shows hehehe.
So each country did a little introduction of themselves, and I have to say that the China SMEs are really a bunch of awesomely talented and super accomplished people. One boy owns a blog with millions of readers, while another girl has her name published on over 20 literary journals! All these accomplishments before 20! I feel really ashamed of myself. My greatest achievement in life so far was polishing off over 30 plates of sushi in one sitting. In any case, do stay tuned because I will be going to the… *drum rolls*… 4MINUTE AND BEAST CONCERT later today! *cue fan girl screams* 

Hello strange earthling. This is Sophie Hong, who will be periodically hijacking  posting on Jian Yang's blog to give you another (and if I say so myself, much better) perspective of the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) whenever he does one of those dratted Houdini acts, as he is wont to do now and then.

So, yesterday was the second day of the Journey of the Youth Olympic Flame (JYOF) and three of our Samsung Mobile Explorers – Keith, Jennifer, and Nicolette – had the honour of being the torchbearers. T____T I wish I was a torchbearer too, but I am too unfit (as you will better understand later in this post) to even run 100m without stopping risking major coronary seizures at the 20 m mark. Seeing all these fit athletes at YOG is making me feel guilty! Maybe I should hit the gym soon eh?

In any case, we met up at lamppost 30 along Simei Street 4 to wait for the flame to arrive. Yes – I kid you not – lamppost 30.

Soon after, a bus came and dropped off a bunch of crazy people in blue, whom shall henceforth be dubbed as the crazy blue people.

LOL ok no, they were a cheering squad from Samsung, and they will also be present throughout the other YOG events to cheer on the athletes. Their highly infectious and enthusiastic cheering (they had the whole works: mini-vuvuzelas, clappers and 1,000,000 dB voices) soon drew all the boys to the yard nearby Simei residents down to the event site.

Such as this lady here...

...and these three French residents! Sorry I couldn't capture a better photo of them. They were waving too excitedly.

Even Ronaldo made an appearance with his grandmother!

Despite the parching heat and mosquitoes, these residents gamely stood there and waited quite some time for the flame to arrive. How's that for YOG spirit! (Oh yeah Oh yeah Oh yeah, HEY!)

The arrival of the flame was greeted with a renewed bout of loud cheering from the crazy blue people.

Nicolette poses prettily for a quick photo before it was her turn to run.

And here's Jennifer with a huge grin on her face! Her mother was running five steps in front of her throughout the whole 100 m, with a camera in hand to document every moment of this once-in-a-lifetime experience!

The moment Nicolette got the torch, everybody started running after her to get a good shot. I am ashamed to confess that I failed to get a nice photo due to my really unfit physique. Hey, don't judge! My fellow SMEs were equally tired as well. So in the end, the running jogging/panting/whining that I did only resulted in one blurry photo (and almost killed me to boot). Hahahaha =____=

The aftermath wasn’t pretty. Here’s Avalyn looking dog-tired.

Brenda and I were all prepared to flop down onto the floor.

We thought we were tired, running after the flame with our bags and point-and-shoot cameras, but look at these professionals! Check out the size of the cameras that they're carrying! It must be such a tough job.

So, the next time you see a nice YOG photograph splashed across the front page of a newspaper or footage from YOG on the evening news, remember to thank these heroes who braved the elements and some ten-tonne worth of equipments to bring you the YOG experience from the comfort of your couch!

Behind the scenes: Ding Xiang as Little Boy Blue! Lol sorry, but I simply couldn't resist when I saw him blowing the vuvuzela.

The Youth Olympic Games (YOG) got off to a scintillating start on Jul 23 in its host country Singapore, with representatives from six educational institutional coming together to form the first-ever human torch, in a night of many firsts.

2,010 students from schools such as, Assumption English School and Nanyang Polytechnic, among others, illuminated the dazzling torch-shaped mass formation at Merchant Loop, near Clarke Quay, at precisely 2010 hour in a symbolic gesture to celebrate the lighting of the Youth Olympic flame in Greece.

The first official prelude activity leading up to the actual YOG to be held from Aug 14 to 16, which was spearheaded by Samsung, principal partner of the inaugural YOG, also set a record for the largest human torch formation, the first of its kind.

Said Mr Moon Sung-Hyun, Managing Director, Samsung Pte Ltd., “Samsung is a firm believer that sport is a unifying force that encourages young people to challenge themselves to the limit. This spectacular formation affirms our commitment to ensure that the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore will truly be a landmark event that connects youth to their peers from around the word in the spirit of Olympism.”

987fm DJs Desiree Lai and Shan Wee hosted the night of revelry, replete with exciting performances from local hip-hop dance crew Joyce And The Boys, DJ Zushan, resident of The Butter Factory, and Singapore Idol winner Sezairi Sezali, who performed a medley of covers and tracks off his debut album Take Two.

On the opportunity to be a part of the YOG festivities, Sezairi says, ““It feels awesome to be part of this, and it’s cool to see such enthusiasm from youths. I am so excited for the games.” 

The Youth Olympic Flame will travel from Greece to one city each in five continents – Berlin in Europe, Dakar in Africa, Mexico in North America, Auckland in Oceania, and Seoul in Asia – before arriving in Singapore on Aug 5 in what is dubbed the Journey of the Youth Olympic Flame (JYOF). 

An exception has been made to a 2009 ruling by the International Olympic Committee, which stipulates all torch relays to be held within the host city, for the JYOF to happen, as it is the first YOG. This is to ensure that the spirit of Olympism reach out to as many youth as possible around the world to connect the youth of the world to the Olympic movement.

When the torch blazes its way to our shores, 2,400 individuals will have the honour of carrying the first Youth Olympic Flame through all five community districts in Singapore in a traditional six-day relay beginning Aug 6.

Says Mr Goh Kee Nguan, Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore YOG Organising Committee, “I hope that when the flame reaches our shores, many more people in Singapore will be excited and enthusiastic as the crowd gathered here for this human torch formation. I also hope that many more records will be broken when the sports competition starts.”