Tan Yng Jich | 21 Jul 2000

Sparks came alive on 22 July, Saturday, to the tunes of Eurodance groups, Daze and Vengaboys. Last minute changes in venue and program had many disgruntled, but all these were forgotten as Singaporeans waved and bobbed their heads to what we normally call, "Ah Beng" music.

Singaporeans from all walks of life and all ages were seen at the discotheque for the concert. There were also fans from other nationalities, joining in the party. Everyone received a flashlight and a bottle of mineral water that were kindly sponsored (perhaps to make up for the lack of foam and the disco party maybe?).

Once inside, it was another place altogether. Usually associated with playing techno music, Sparks kept the crowd occupied with pop tunes from the likes of Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears and Westlife. Everyone didn’t have long to wait before Perfect 10 DJs, Daniel Ong and Jamie Yeo appeared to introduce the opening act for the concert, Daze.

Starting off were two, animal print clad dancers doing all forms of vigorous dance moves before lead vocalist Trinie Bix appeared on stage. She was in a red leather, backless top with a matching tight leather pants (whoa!). Singing "15 Minutes Of Fame" to the screaming crowd, Trinie matched the dance moves of her two co-dancers as well. Then, there was a surprise in store for the crowd, as the three of them took up "Supersoakers" and proceeded to spray water liberally onto everyone before starting "Tamaguchi (Together Forever)", "Callgirl" and "Nothing You Can Do".

Ending off her opening act, Daze sang the song that had everyone bobbing their heads enthusiastically, "Superhero". Then, the Vengabus rolled into Sparks!

Laser lights shooting everywhere, a mechanical voice announced the arrival of the Vengaboys, Combat Girl Kim, Sailor Boy Yorick, Glitter Gal Denice and Cowboy Roy as they began their party in Sparks.

And boy, what a party it was! From "Shalala Lala" to "We’re Going to Ibiza", the Vengaboys worked the crowd to a feverish pitch as the night went on. Encouraging the crowd to party along with them by either waving their hands in the air or by singing along to the music, the "Benga" dudes and dudettes created a pre-National Day Parade atmosphere in Sparks. Perhaps someone should just hire them to teach Singaporeans how to do the Singapore workout as well, as they were able to make everyone in the audience raise their hands to the tune of "Up and Down"!

Wearing a wardrobe of different outfits, it was an audio as well as visual treat. Kim wore a zebra-striped bikini that threatened to snap a couple of times whereas Denice was in a shocking pink ensemble that complimented her equally shocking pink hair-do. Roy wore neon orange cowboy pants with white ruffles running down the side and Yorick wore an all-white outfit, including his sailor hat. That above-mentioned sailor hat was autographed by the four of them and Yorick gave the hat away by throwing it into the shrieking audience. (I wonder who that lucky person is!)

The high point of the concert was when the group launched into "Up and Down", "To Brazil" and "We Like To Party". The crowd went crazy, waving their flashlights even more energetically and singing along to the music as well. The Vengaboys did not disappoint as well, displaying stellar and well coordinated dance moves throughout the concert.

Finally as an encore, the group gave the crowd "Shalala Lala" and "Boom Boom Boom Boom", taken from their "Platinum Album" before exiting the venue for one last time. As I watch my colleague bobbing his head to "Benga" music, i realized that no matter what, there is a closet Ah Beng/ Lian in all of us!