Really enjoyed myself last night watching my first real stadium concert in
Bangkok, at
Impact Arena.
A great gig. Oops, I should probably rephrase that ... You see,
gig in Thai language refers to, well, a side project, someone in musical circles might call it. A dalliance with someone not your regular wife, husband or partner.
Anyway, this blog will not even attempt to deal with or understand the teeming hornets nest that is Thai sexual politics. No deviations on bar girls nor ladyboys this time. So back to the story...
As I blogged last time,
Lady Gaga was playing here just a little while ago, and took time out to see ( and rave about) the
Calypso Cabaret show. Last night's show was a little milder:
Jason Mraz.
Question: how do you pronounce his name name? Is it IM-razz, Ma-razz or um-RAZZ???
Let's start with the venue. Impact is a bloody long way out of town, nowhere near any public transport. However, even in the driving rain we did manage to get a taxi to get us there in just 45 minutes for less than 400 baht (how far would a $13 cab fare get you in your country?).
Thais love a good party, and the convivial atmosphere was tangible an hour enforce the show. And everywhere, the beautiful people on parade. Spray-on tight jeans here, jaunty hat there. Crazy teetering heels everywhere. And that was just the boys,
jing jing!
Pizza and fried chicken stalls did bustling business, and the
Singha beer queue was literally a walk- up start ... No queue. Soon we were quaffing a very very large plastic cup of icy cold beer. I reckon it was
at least a pint, which would ensure I would be carrying my partner home, she being somewhat a lightweight in the drinking stakes.
Impact is a barn of a place, which looks like most other stadiums you've ever seen which seat between 10-12,000 punters. The seats around the edge rise dramatically into the nose-bleed sections.
Personally, I like concerts which have a support band, some local guys prepared to trade off a few well-aimed tomatoes for wider exposure. It gives them a break, and warms up your ears for the main act. But it doesn't seem to be the norm here.
So as a result, my ears went from 0 to 100 in a heartbeat when the house lights dimmed and the full house screamed like it was
The Beatles invading America in 1964. Having missed that tour, I have never heard anything like it.
"WE LOVE YOU JASON!!!" All night. In 5-part harmony. And then all the other Thais would get excited that someone was so excited, and reacted to that with their own laughs and screams.
Finally the MrazMan said: "I love you too," and you would've thought the girls had just won a million dollar lottery, a
Mercedes Benz SL500 sports car, and experienced multiple orgasms all in one go. Over the top. Blew the lid clean off the stadium.
But all good fun. Anyone who thought Thais were a reserved lot would promptly change their mind heard the singalong to his big songs, such as
I'm Yours, which served as a rousing finale.
Only his clearly-annunciated thank yous and goodbyes in Thai -- along with humble and corteous
wai gestures to each corner of the room -- drew a bigger response. Gee, I'd love it if every Thai lady I ever waid gave me such a screamingly rapturous reception.
Then off into the night shuffled the crowd. We were lucky enough to bump into friends, otherwise I suspect we may still be standing there waiting for a taxi ride home. But other than the transport logistics, I really recommend you take in a Bangkok concert to capture the true emotions of Thais at play.
Now if I can just get the ringing reverberations of "We love you Jason" out of my ears ...
Where to see live music concerts Bangkok: try these websites
Impact Arena
Hua Mark Stadium (also known as Rajmangla Stadium)
Thai Ticket Major (tickets for most major music shows)
Question: what's your favorite Jason Mraz song? Alternatively, which of his songs do you hope you never ever hear again in your life?
