Kit Chan - The Music Room [Grand Theatre, Marina Bay Sands]

Kit Chan's first solo concert in many years, excluding her previous one where she shared the headlines with Singapore Chinese Orchestra, was undoubtedly highly awaited by her fans, and boy were they rewarded. At times sultry, at times coy and earnest; but always a diva. She started off nervous and the first song was off on a shaky start, but after 2 songs in she finally got into her stride and belted hits from an  18-years repertoire  (7 of which were out of circuit) and some others. Kit has a very theatrical voice which shines at some of her more drama songs, however it also highlighted some of the pitfalls in the concert. She should not have mentioned Barbara Striesand before breaking out into "Send in the Clowns": girl, there is no comparison (not even with Rachel Berry)! Her version of "Nothing Compares to You" was similarly over-theatrical and would have benefitted from a slower tempo. Lastly, I come for a pop concert expecting a secular experience. Sure, you may thank "the man up there", and say "god" in your songs, but I do not expect a whole charismatic, adulating experience. That was a major turn-off! And if you think about it, the song "What if God was One of Us" really does not mean that! But otherwise, when Kit started on her Mando-pop and Canto-pop hits, the crowd went wild, and very deservedly so. She even did a commendable, passable, but too sultry version of Edith Piaf's "Je Ne Veux Pas Travailler". Her back-up singers were also a tad off-key quite often, which is a distraction. She is a consumate performer and entertainer, now she just needs to work more on being polished and less stage-y! Perhaps just first day nerves?