A masterstroke, well I suppose that won't be known until the forthcoming election, but to invite a pop superstar to the Island's Chinese New Year Celebration Gig will guarantee the president of one thing - an extremely large audience. Impossible to even accurately estimate the audience size since it's a ticketless event, free to enter, free food and water, all courtesy of the governing Barisan Nasional Party. The political stage is set as the prime minister delivers a passionate speech, promising Penang quite substantial investment. Number one, measures to alleviate the growing traffic problem and number two, affordable housing. A mono rail system, substantial road building and more houses all pledged before an audience that must be in the region of at least 50 thousand fans of PSY.
Queuing from 6am to get a decent spot was a good move initially, but now there is overwhelming pressure at those barriers defining the reserved compound. A quick redesign and the floodgates open - right into the compound that was crowd free, and a pretty good spot just a minute ago, oh well!
And then the big one - PSY (pronounced sy) the South Korean superstar, pop sensation and various other endearing terms, with an act that resonates around the globe. An energetic, and I guess fun routine that connects with several million inhabitants of the planet, including a few here in Penang. YouTube is the best place to see what go's on with PSY and some scantily dressed dancers. The girls in today's gig though were dressed up, reflecting the Islands Islamic culture, and to the disappointment of a few guys I would think! Two versions of the same routine, and throw in some pyrotechnic effects, this superstar delivered to all expectations. One of those electrifying, atmospheric moments as the crowds, tens of thousands deep, roar with approval, when you just know it probably won't happen again....Yessssss nice one PSY.
Politics aside though, its an event for the Islands inhabitants in celebration of the New Year, which incidentally is the year of the snake. A mostly cultural affair, dancers in costumes, traditional Chinese scenes are choreographed to
their brand of folk music. A couple of popular malay pop singers join the stage amidst cheers from the audience, performing at least one cover song from a Western artist - Rhianna at a guess, I don't really take that much notice back home.
Posted via ultra slow Starbucks wifi - blame Starbucks
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