Local and Mainland young singers to show talents at “POP KONG” concert (with photos)
The 4th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival is presenting the "POP KONG" concert on October 31 and November 1 (Thursday and Friday) to showcase the talents and creativity of young artists from both Hong Kong and the Mainland, injecting fresh impetus into the music scenes of the region.
The concert is presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and AC Orange Co Ltd. Emerging singer-songwriters Monkey Sit, Zino Chan and a Bu from Hong Kong, along with Haibhue and Cantopop band Mover from the Mainland, will share the stage to perform their original compositions and popular hits. Celebrated singer-songwriter Phil Lam will also appear as a special guest, fully showing the charm of original Chinese pop music.
The three up-and-coming artists mentioned above were all participants of the "My Main Stage" music production pilot programme founded by veteran music producer Chiu Tsang-hei. Their works have been released on major streaming platforms. Monkey, also an illustrator, started off as a street performer before taking the stage at Freespace Happening, Lau Bak Livehouse, Lost Star, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival, and more. Zino executive-produced radio programme "Lemonaid" in 2018, and reinvented Sally Yeh's famous tune "Friends or Lovers" for her performance at Hunan Satellite TV's "Endless Melody" programme in 2022. Last but not least, a Bu composed the theme song for his graduation project at the Hong Kong Baptist University's Academy of Film in 2022, and went on to compose competition background music for the Hong Kong Wushu Team.
Haibhue, a singer-songwriter from the Mainland, is skilled at blending nursery rhymes with modern music. Her music evokes tales of olden times, always offering a sense of calm. Mover, a six-member original band, chiefly creates music in Cantonese. Their music spans a wide spectrum from pop rock and shoegaze to alternative rock and pop punk. By the end of 2024, the band will embark on their first nationwide tour.
"POP KONG" will be held at 8pm on October 31 and November 1 at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Studio Theatre. Tickets priced at $200 and $300 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288; patrons may also use the mobile ticketing app "URBTIX". Discount schemes are available for programmes under the 4th Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival (namely "ChoreoMusica Soiree", "POP KONG", Cantonese Opera Film "The Legend of the White Snake", 2024 Zhuhai-Hong Kong-Macao Choral Concert, "Songs Echo My Voice" and Dance Drama "Wing Chun" Special Edition by Shenzhen Opera and Dance Theatre), including group booking discount and package booking discount. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2734 2960 or visit gbacxlo.gov.hk/en/programmes/pop-kong. "POP KONG" is also a celebratory programme of the 35th anniversary of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre.
Hong Kong is the host city of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Culture and Arts Festival for the first time this year. It organises and co-ordinates over 260 performances and exchange activities to be held across the "9+2" cities of the Greater Bay Area. The festival aims to showcase the vibrant and diverse cultural richness of the region and foster cultural exchange and co-operation among the cities. For more details, please visit www.gbacxlo.gov.hk.
