RE:BIRTH – Alfred Sim and Tay Kewei ‘Live’ in Concert Review
Held on 5 Mar 2022 at Sands Theatre in Marina Bay Sands, RE:BIRTH, a live concert by Alfred Sim and Tay Kewei was a concert to remember. Ever since COVID-19 struck, live concerts and large events have been suspended for close to two years. It was only in 2022 that we acquire the mindset to live with COVID-19. With this mindset, the Government started opening up our travel lanes and allowing live concerts to be held once again.
RE:BIRTH was an opportunity for Alfred Sim and Tay Kewei to reconnect with their audiences live, as solo artists. This was the first time they performed together in a full-length joint concert, and the team at The Review Chronicle was fortunate enough to catch them live in action. Here’s our take on the concert:
RE:BIRTH – Alfred Sim and Tay Kewei ‘Live’ in Concert Review
Alfred Sim started the concert with a bang, kicking off the show with, “My Friend” followed by “拨一通电话.” At the end of his second song, Sim greeted the audience with some bad news – Tay Kewei was unable to make it to the show due to her pregnancy. Gasps could be heard throughout the theatre as Sim described how Tay had to put her belly on a table to balance herself while standing.
As Sim exaggerated the circumstances, Tay appeared from the curtains in a skin-tight dress, showing off her large belly. A roar of applause and cheers filled the theatre as the audience heaved a sigh of relief. The comical introduction set the tone for the rest of the concert as Alfred Sim and Tay Kewei presented their unique flairs on stage. The 2 and half hour concert was divided into different segments and both singers took turns to do one outfit change each. Tay changed from a marbled-pattern, long-sleeved, fitted, maxi dress that showcased her baby bump with a pair of black boots, to a flattering, sleeveless, maroon maxi dress. Whereas Sim transformed from a white suit, featuring a brown sleeve, and a black graphic tee, to a black, silk suit with a green turtleneck peeking from beneath.
Sim described Tay’s first outfit resembled a parrotfish due to the array of brown, blue, and red on her dress. Tay hit back on the second set, describing his second outfit to be a luxury black pyjamas set. Throughout the concert, the couple’s chemistry was evident as they ad-lib jokes and reminisced about their time as Project Superstar contestants in between songs.
Their trademark playfulness and upbeat tone were efficaciously conveyed throughout the concert as both singers belt out tunes like “以爱为豪”, “以为的以为,” and “Not Alone.” At one point, a bright disco ball descends from the ceiling while Sim and Tay took turns serenading the audience with a medley of slow tunes. Some of the tunes include 聽海 by A-Mei and One Night In Beijing by Shin.
Light-up bars descended upon the stage later in the show, changing colours as the songs progressed. Screams and applause could be heard from the audience as Sim and Tay tickled the audience’s ears with their wide vocal ranges. As the concert progressed, Sim dished out hits at strategic moments, complimenting Tay’s intermissions as Tay did the same for his.
When Sim came out to sing “如果” with Tay, they completely shifted gears, turning the stage into a rock set. The energy reached its peak as the tremors from the drums and bass could be felt throughout the theatres. As the song ends, large smiles radiated on Tay’s and Sim’s faces.
Tay took a break after the high-energy song as Sim continued the set with “王者” and “从没想过.” When Tay re-emerged, the couple sang three more songs before Tay revealed a snippet of their latest single which was still a work in progress. The short preview of the latest song left concertgoers on the edge of their seats as the concert came to its final act: the encore.
Encore
During the encore, the theatre was filled with chants, as the couple appeared on stage with their sons, Momo and Pian Pian. Hugging Tay’s leg, Momo shyly hides behind Tay as Sim carries Pian Pian. Audience took out their phones and snapped away as the couple started their encore song, “Momo I Love You.”
While singing, Tay’s voice cracked as she became emotional when she was reminded of how she dedicated this song to her son, Momo, who clung to her throughout the song. Sim stood strong and supported his family as concertgoers swayed their phones to the tune. At the end of the concert, the couple thanked everyone who had supported them and left the stage merrily.
The concert was exhilarating and packed with jokes and memories from their past. Tay and Sim put up a great show as solo artists in their first concert together, bouncing their energy off each other throughout the show. As the concert draws to a close, we look forward to their next singles and albums in time to come.
Set List
My Friend by Alfred Sim
拨一通电话 by Alfred Sim
胜利在闪耀 by Tay Kewei
无药可救 by Tay Kewei
Medley: Alfred sang a variety of covers such as 我愿意 by Faye Wong, 聽海 by A-Mei and One Night In Beijing by Shin
Medley: Tay Kewei sang a variety of songs such as So In Love and 可不可以
以爱为豪 by Tay Kewei and Alfred Sim
最美的时光 by Alfred Sim
留戀 (留恋) by Tay Kewei
Not Alone by Tay Kewei
Fallin by Tay Kewei
如果 by Tay Kewei and Alfred Sim
王者 by Alfred Sim
从没想过 by Alfred Sim
你还不知道 by Tay Kewei and Alfred Sim (Original Collaboration Artistes are Tay Kewei and Gentle Bones)
Easy On Me by Tay Kewei and Alfred Sim (Original Artiste is Adele)
以为的以为 by Tay Kewei and Alfred Sim
Encore
