5th Mayday Concert - Life Unlimited

This concert is dedicated to my 1 day dream. The happiest and most heart-breaking 1 day of my life - the dream of a fairytale love story (Private Post).

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First party at the Sports Hub!

The good:

- A "fuller" song list compare to the previous concert, and also inclusion of new songs (终于结束的起点).
- Sound system is fine unlike previous bad reviews.
- "这一生只愿只要平凡快乐，谁说这样不伟大呢" 😭
- Surprise 大咖 guest uncle?! (Based on past exp, I have already resigned to having 路人 tier as their guests)
- 志明与春娇，30 seconds of 心中无别人.
- Got to experience 2 standard endings in one event. (憨人 and 倔强 - Usually only 1 of them happens)

The "too bad":
- Notable missing classics: 温柔, 终结孤单, 孙悟空
- Missing personal favourites: 步步, 星空, 仓颉, 勇敢, 如烟
- Big guest only sing 1 song and it's not even his most well known one? And leave stage when the song not even ended. -.-
- Ended earlier than usual.

The bad:
- We really sucks at calling for encore =.=
- Why is everyone around me so 冷静 😣
- And is it just me who prefer the indoor stadium more?

Conclusion:
- Buying cheap seats really sucks. Hard to get high when the people around you are all so "gloomy".
- Based on past experience, standing in the pit kinda sucks for me too (too short, end up see screen).
- So far, my most enjoyable has been to sit at CAT2. Gonna keep this in mind for future concerts.

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Song list: Looking back at the 2016 post, I realized they actually sang much lesser songs.

1. 派對動物
2. 傷心的人別聽慢歌
3. OAOA
4. 入陣曲
5. 超人
Short film
6. 你不是真正的快樂
Talking
7. 戀愛ing
Talking
8. 笑忘歌
Talking
9. 乾杯
10. 兄弟
11. 人生有限公司
Short film
12. 成名在望
13. 我心中尚未崩壞的地方
14. 知足
15. 少年他的奇幻漂流
16. 頑固
Short film
17. I will carry you
18. 離開地球表面
19. 凡人歌 （special guest 李宗盛）
20. 山丘（李宗盛）
21. 任意門
22. 人生海海
Encore I
23. 終於結束的起點
24. 我不願讓你一個人
25. 轉眼
Encore II 
26. 志明與春嬌
27. 突然好想你
28. 憨人
29. 心中無別人
Encore III
30. 倔強

Success In Sight

This was a song that I overlooked when Mayday new album came out. Pretty much skipped it, largely because the melody wasn't too appealing the first few times I heard it.

That was until it won the Best Lyrics Award (caught my attention), and then subsequently the 2nd version of the MV came out.



Now, it has grown on me so much that it's becoming one of my favourite songs on the new album.

The lyrics are so freaking well written.

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Viewed narrowly, the lyrics are obviously talking about the hardship Mayday have gone through to pursue their music dreams.

Viewed from a wider perspective, it can be a reflection of many goals we pursue in life. Our commoner life may be nowhere as exciting or dramatic as theirs, but some of the lines in this song really shook and touched me on a personal level.

才体会每场仗 都仰赖 枪与粮
梦是把热血和 汗与泪 熬成汤
浇灌在干涸的 贫瘠的 现实上
当日常的重量 让我们 不反抗

Every battle relies on guns and food. Can passion alone feed your stomach? Can love exist without bread?
Pursuing your dreams wholeheartedly is like watering the dry and barren soil of reality with blood, sweat and tears. It may not yield any results.
Can you persevere in the face of  harsh reality?

And should the day come when you arrive at your goal, would you be as happy as you thought? Or are you just stepping into another jail? Another rat race?

一双又一双的目光 像监狱和高墙
墙里的风光是不是 如当初想像

You will be judge by others. By society norms. By peer pressure. And ironically, the older we get, the more we are afraid of being judged.

Can we find back our younger self? The one who is "stupid" but strong?

Are we really wiser as we grow older? Or have we lost something in the process of growing up?

从不多想, 只是信仰
少年回头望 笑我“还不快跟上？”

BTS

I don't even know how I got into this "mess"... LOL.

I believe it started with me watching some "k-pop group dancing other group songs" on Weekly Idol...

And then coming across Pewdiepie's reaction to them, and the Blood Sweat & Tears video. Then clicking on some of the "recommended related videos".

Mistake man.

I clicked on Dope and that's the one that really got me hooked.

So much that I could not stop listening to the song and watching the MV

The choreography (that footwork) is absolutely captivating, the song (its bizarre and strangely addictive saxophone chorus), the ending, the MV, the lyrics (turn on the subtitles) everything is just so... dope.




"I reject rejection!"

Then it went to the dance practice videos, reaction videos and eventually to their other songs:

Fire, Not Today, Bapsae, Boys In Luv, War of Harmone, Danger...

It's freaking amazing how all their songs have such incredible choreography. I was never a fan of dancing, but they made it look like the coolest thing on the planet.

Perfectly sync, some godly moves (Fire climax is my favorite so far), executed extremely cleanly.

Then it went to joke/costume version of their dance, live performances to Bangtan bombs series.

I must have spent like 40 hours in the past week alone watching all these.

And I can't stop watching. I guess I'm part of the Army now.

LOL.

As far as I remember, this is the 3rd time I'm so obsessed with something from Korea.

The first was Yongseo Couple

Second was The Genius.

3 Meanings For The Same Word!

I'm obsessed with this song recently.

It's a really simple and sweet love song that can put a smile on your face.

It's brilliantly written - and it also reminds me why I love the Chinese Language so much.

1. 小心 肝 = Be Careful (Take Care) of Liver
2. 小 心肝 = Small Heart & Liver
3. 小心肝 = Little Baby/Honey

Liang Wen Fu taught me 语带双关.

This song taught me "语带三关".

The Meaning Of Mayday Songs

Compared to other artistes, Mayday songs encompasses a HUGE variety of themes. And many of them really connect deeply with me (and I believe people of my age)

Asides from the typical "boys & girls love" ballads, some themes they often touch on are:

1. Friendship/Kinship
2. Conformity to Society Norms
3. Motivational/Inspirational
4. Life & Death
5. Society Phenomenons

Many people only enjoy the songs melody/tune, but if you dig deeper into the lyrics behind their songs, you'll uncover many gems. As it would take n-pages of text to go into details, I'm just gonna share a few examples and quotes:

1. Friendship/Kinship

洗衣机
Comparing mother's love to the washing machine. I especially like the build up until the end when they finally reveal who the washing machine is.

任意门
Every line in this song is their life story. From their background to how they met, fought, started out and achieve the status they have today. This song is specifically talking about their friendship.
"你问我全世界是哪里最美？答案是「你身边」"

干杯
Will there come a day where time will turn back?
The answer is obvious, but the memories we've held will live on forever.

"终究会 有一天 我们都变成昨天
是你 陪我走过 一生一回 匆匆的人间"


2. Conformity to Society Norms

三个傻瓜
The first idiot can't wait to go to school. Little did he know he would use up all his youth in school.
The second idiot was there is no hurry to fall in love. Love will come in the future. So he gave up love to pursue study.
The third idiot exchanged 19 years for 5 certificates, climbing the social ladder for fear of being left behind.

Idiots or not, time will come after all of us. In the blink of an eye, the 3 idiots have all become old.

"这故事 熟悉吗? 走过吗? 无奈吗? 心痛吗?"


人生有限公司
We "clock-in" into the company in the delivery room.
In the first department, your parents are your superiors - Just be obedient.
In the second department, you're manufactured into a product which excel at study and exams.
Third department, learn to manage your finance.
Fourth department, find your other half.

This is our system. Our production line. Our society. There are no holidays in the Life Pte Ltd. There are no answers these questions in life.

"你曾停下过吗 你曾怀疑过吗？
就算你有想法 你也没有办法
人生无限问题 没有解答

追逐富贵荣华 目标飞黄腾达
其实平安到达 就是一种伟大
"


3. Motivation/Inspirational

第二人生
We look forward to wonderful things in life, but most of us aren't putting in effort. Instead, we continue to live the same routine life, day after day, year after year.

We wait for our superheroes to appear.
We wait for miracles.
We wait for god to answer our prayers.

"英雄没有出现 奇迹没有发生"
"等到荒废青春 用尽体温 才开始悔恨"


倔强
There are so many inspirational lines in this song - just listening to it fills you with "stubborn" and determined energy.

"我如果对自己妥协如果对自己说谎, 即使你不原谅我也不能原谅"
"我就是我自己的神在我活的地方"
"你说被火烧过才能出现凤凰"
"逆风的方向更适合飞翔"


勇敢
Even their Hokkien songs are extremely well written. This one give me the energy to go on when times are tough.

When the time come where it seems like all hope is lost, when you're crying and no one knows, when you're drowning in sorrow...

Remember that all these will pass. Darkness will pass and sweet fruits will bear from bitterness. And have that courage to work towards that future.


4. Life & Death

如烟
Personally, I think this is one of the most beautiful lyrics I've seen in any song.

Is there a world where it never goes dark?
Is there a rose which never wither?
Is there a poem which never ends?
Is there a "forever" which never changes?

When we arrive at the end of our life, what regrets will we have? Can I have the chance to re-live my life all over again?

In this song, we experience the regret and agony of having limited life span. Many things we regret. Don't you wish to freeze time, or return to that moment and do something different?


夜访吸血鬼
Interestingly, this song describes the exact opposite of above - the pain and sorrow of immortality. If you ignore the very "wild and rock" tune and focus on the lyrics alone, you'll notice the vampire lead a really sad and miserable life.

Think about it - They witness their love ones die one by one, their dreams (of living normal lives) shatter.

They lost their youth and yet had to be reminded of it constantly. They're lonely. They're forsaken by gods. They have no motivation to carry on living, and yet they can't end their miserable lives, even if they tried suicide by consuming the holy water.

"看爱过的人 一一告别, 做过的梦 一一凋谢, 只留下我独自残喘的千年"


转眼
Writing the final chapter of my biography.

Success is like sandcastle, life is like the sea waves. Money, big houses... everything is but an illusion.

"成就如沙堡 生命如海浪
浪花会掏尽 所有的幻象
存款与楼房 挣扎与渴望 散场"

My children and grandchildren are all busy, let them be.

When I return to the light, will there be someone waiting on the other side?


5. Society Phenomenoms

黑暗骑士
World has become more orderly over the years, but income equality widens and masses still live in poverty. We have reached peak of civilization, yet people have retreated back into their caves and become more distance. The lines between good and evil are getting blur.

This song lists all the evil and terrible things happening in our society:"

"越来越毒的雨水 越来越多的灾变
律师和小丑勾结 民代和财团签约
越来越大的企业 越来越小的公园"


入阵曲
You really need to do some research to uncover the deep meaning behind this song (or just watch the original MV to catch a glimpse of it)

"當一座城牆 只為了阻擋 所有自由渴望"

A wall that blocks freedom. Clue: This is not describing a physical wall.

"當一份真相 隻手能隱藏 直到人們遺忘"

When the truth can be hidden away until people forget. Countless cases of these.

"幼無糧 民無房 誰在分贓"

Where corruption run rampant.

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Even their "typical love ballads" often have unique settings. Just to quote a few:

仓颉 - Even the creator of Chinese characters would be unable to come up with description appropriate to describe my love, to make you return to my side.

超人 - Superman can save the world, but couldn't do anything about our dying love.
"为什么拯救地球是那么容易, 为什么束手无策啊我和你的爱情"

I hope this post will interest readers in exploring more behind the meaning of their songs!

Mayday Just Rock It 2016

Attended my 3rd Mayday concert after a 3 year hiatus.

Song List (credits to Benjamin)
1. Do You Ever Shine
2. 三個傻瓜
3. 你不是真正的快樂
4. 為愛而生
5. 超人
6. 雌雄同體
7. 候鳥
8. 終結孤單
9. 尬車
10. 離開地球表面
11. 諾亞方舟
12. 知足
13. 瘋狂世界
14. 志明與春嬌
15. 笑忘歌
16. 盛夏光年
17. 頑固
18. 乾杯
19. 將軍令
20. 入陣曲
21. 我不願讓你一個人
22. 勇敢
23. 憨人
24. 一個蘋果
25. 人生海海
26. 派對動物
27. 傷心的人別聽慢歌
28. 如果我們不曾相遇
29. 溫柔
31. 後來的我們
32. 突然好想你
33. 兄弟
34. 人生有限公司
35. OAOA
36. 倔強
37. 戀愛ing

I went back and take a look at the review of the first Mayday concert I attended, and I can spot many similarities.

Pros:
1. They retained many "classic segments" of their concerts - in particular the "La~La la la~" of 憨人 and the "white butterflies climax" of 温柔. These 桥段 never gets old despite being re-used for a long time. They are some of my favourite parts of the concert.

2. Once again a "superb value for money" concert that lasts from 8:10pm to 11:45, over 3.5 hours. I believe most concerts are usually around 30 songs in 3 hours, but they always push it a little more to give back to their fans.

3. Awesome new high songs since their last concert. The "將軍令 + 入陣曲" portion was incredible.

4. They slot in some lesser known songs like 三個傻瓜, 雌雄同體, and also some hokkien ballads (志明與春嬌, 勇敢) which I felt was a nice touch. Pity that they seem to have took out 夜访吸血鬼 (1 of my favourite) in the Singapore concert.

5. I enjoyed their interactions (aka talking) with the fans a lot. It felt genuine and add a personal touch to the concert.

6. The most exhilarating finale to a concert I've experienced!

Cons:
1. After re-reading the 1st review, I actually mentioned that I should have brought seating area tickets. Must keep that in mind next time! I feel it's no point getting the "ground-level" seats as you are often blocked by people, and spend most of the time watching the screen anyway.

2. Not really a con but more of due to the theme of the concert being "Rock", the song proportion were allocated that way. If you look at the song list, about 80% of them were more fast-paced/rock/high songs, and hence the remaining are allocated to their most well-known ballads. You will miss out a lot of their 'secondary' ballads, most notably: 仓颉，星空，步步，如烟，天使.

3. Compared to the Noah Ark concert, this one has a much weaker theme in my opinion. The previous one has a strong overarching plot - The end of the World. Each segment is divided by short video clips telling the story of the lead struggles with the nuclear power project. The world is eventually destroyed and he travels back to the past to change history. (The fact that I still vaguely remember the storyline even now shows how good it is) The songs fits very well and it's like watching a movie. Anyway, you can't have everything right?

Talking Portion

High to the max!

Awesome finale!

Mortal VS Immortal

一种是死不了的痛苦，一种是不想死的煎熬。。。

多么两极的歌曲。。。却都出自于同一位作词人。

究竟是哪一种更惨？

Flowers Have Blossom Again

Washing Machine

A fan-made MV that's better than the official version.

3 Idiots

终于毕业了。。。

十九年的读书生涯，我们究竟得到了什么，又放弃了什么呢？

 

第一个傻瓜：

小时候，总是嚷着妈妈“几时才能上学啊？”

天真的孩子，多么盼望可以上学，可以买新书，新书包。

当时无知的小孩，又怎会想到，“上学”，将会用尽他一生精华的年华？

成为学生后才发现，其实“上学”并不是天天玩耍， 而是学书法，文法，加法，减法。

是不是学不会就是傻瓜呢？

其实，不管傻不傻瓜，时间还是一样追杀。

日子还是一样照过，傻瓜只能向前走啊。



第二个傻瓜：

努力认真的傻瓜，放弃了恋爱，暑假，漫画，篮球，吉他，坚信大人们所说的那“在未来等着他的爱情”。

一直到凤凰花开，大家纷纷毕业的那时，他缺席了一段再也回不去了的时光。。。

世界如果平的，为何人们都要往上爬？

活着不是赢家，就是输家，你敢输掉吗？



第三个傻瓜：

学了这么多，到头来有什么足以形容这样的残缺，这样的悲伤？

十九年后换来五张证书（幼稚园，小学，中学，高中，大学）和半片天涯，终于发现我是第一第二第三个傻瓜。

这故事，熟悉吗，走过吗，无奈吗，心痛吗？

不管你是傻瓜也好，天才也罢，到最后还不是都变成白发，变成老花，剩下三个悲伤傻瓜？

还是把一切寄托给音乐吧！

Hebe My Love

没有绚丽的舞台，华丽的视觉效果。

 只有令人感动，惊艳，震撼的歌声。

 歌唱方面真的无可挑剔。她，真的进步太多太多了。 太厉害了。

就算是演唱一些我从来没听过的作品，都能深深吸引观众的目光。（如“尼克拉斯”，Lonely 等）

唯一缺点是曲目真的太冷门了。有超过一半都是十分冷门的歌，很难有所共鸣。感觉有点 Over。

 最后是场地很烂。千万不要到 RWS 看演唱会。国家体育场还是最棒的。

Mayday Noah's Ark

I've always liked their music, but I wasn't really their fan. I don't follow their news or albums, much less go to their concert.

First got the urge to watch their live performance after watching their movie.

It's a really great experience, though still a bit too ex. I didn't even spent this much for any S.H.E concert before. Inflation is scary... :(

Pros:
- The concert is REALLY LONG. Almost 4 freaking hours. I seriously doubt any other artistes give this much bang for bucks.
- They 'tweak' a lot the live version so that they're not just exactly the same as the CD.
- Their new album is too damn good. It's definitely 1 of the best in recent years.

Cons:
- I really should have brought the seating area tickets.
- I'm not as familiar as the songs... especially the less well known ones.
- Actually, Ah Xin forgot a lot of the lyrics as well...
- His singing really isn't that good in terms of technique （走音 a lot), but he more than makes up for it with his emotions, intensity and ability to liven up the atmosphere during the high songs.

Anywayyyyy...


Summary:





It's exhilarating to hear him sing this song live!!! (Don't have the clip from this concert, but it's about the same)





My favourite song from their new album.





Awesome way to end the event.

Life's Short

Isn't It?

Night Visit To The Vampire

不只在形容吸血鬼, 其實是在暗喻找不到理想, 

日復一日年復一年地生存的人類...

Creator Of Words

女娲造人,仓颉造字

Many things become much more meaningful once you know its origin.

Bye BAML, Bye NTU, Bye 2011

有多少错误重蹈覆辙。

有多少苦痛还不是都过来了。

想起来甚至还会笑呢。

这一生只愿只要平凡快乐， 谁说这样不伟大呢？

  

Forever And Ever

What Are You Troubling About

Amazing Song, Amazing MV, Amazing Album

没有不会淡的疤

没有不会好的伤

没有不会停下来的绝望

就算只有片刻我也不害怕, 片刻组成永恒啊

Thank You, All Who Love Me

When Bad Lyrics Ruin A Good Song

This song would actually be nice if they bother to couple it with some good lyrics.

Instead, they wasted this nice tune by filling it with some of the most meaningless lyrics I've ever heard.

Seriously...

The lyrics sounds RETARDED.