OWEN FUNG AND PHILA SIU
UPDATED : Saturday, 30 April, 2016, 4:24pm
Fans line up ahead of Leon Lai’s Friday concert, which finally went ahead at 9.30pm. Photo: David Wong
Canto-pop king Leon Lai Ming’s concert will go ahead tonight at 8pm as scheduled – but organisers are racing to surround the Central site with cloth after last night’s show exceeded government noise limits.
In an announcement that was music to the ears of thousands of fans, Lai revealed on Facebook late this afternoon that the much-anticipated show would go ahead after the Friday spectacular began 90 minutes after its scheduled start.
It finally ended at about 11.20pm due to noise control regulations.
“Concert-goers can enter from 6pm and so the concert will begin at 8pm,” he said. “We have exceeded the Environmental Protection Department’s noise control level. I am sorry that we have brought inconvenience to the people we have affected.”
Lai had fans sweating over the concert after performing at the Central Harbourfront on Friday night.
“We are all visitors on Earth. Heaven has allocated us to live in different areas. I’m very lucky to be able to meet all of you! Thank you everyone. When I wake up, I will let you know if there are time changes for the show on [April] 30! Goodnight,” he posted.
The 49-year-old’s latest series of concerts – originally scheduled to begin on April 28 – have had a stuttering start.
Just two hours before its original starting time on Thursday, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced it had refused to issue a temporary permit for the concert, as the event organiser had failed to meet fire safety standards.
Lai later explained it was the fireproof material for the outdoor venue’s marquee that fell short of the required standards.Friday night’s show was eventually given the go-ahead after the singer agreed to remove the marquee, though it was delayed for about 90 minutes past the scheduled 8pm start time as fans continued to stream into the venue.
Leon Lai’s face adorns the Hong Kong Observation Wheel at Central ahead of his Friday concert. Photo: David Wong
It finally ended at about 11.20pm due to noise control regulations.
“I have been following you for 24 years. I could finally see you when I came to work in Hong Kong. You are the most perfect man on earth,” one fan wrote on Facebook.
Another fan wrote: “Even though I did not have tickets for the show, I still rushed to the outside of the venue to support you. I felt very warm listening to you talk and sing by the promenade.”
Leon Lai apologises to fans after his Thursday concert was cancelled.
The singer’s handling of the saga, with frequent video updates of the situation on social media, won him many plaudits.
“Mr Lai is more transparent, responsible and efficient than the SAR government! [He] has successfully resolved a potential public relations disaster! Amazing,” one fan wrote.
http://m.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/1940156/relief-leon-lai-fans-canto-pop-kings-second
