After a four-year hiatus, China's music variety show"Singer 2024" premiered on the evening of May 10th, delivering a thrilling live broadcast and spectacular performances that attracted huge ratings.
Within the first 24 hours, the premiere episode amassed over 100 million views.
The initial lineup featured American singer Chanté Moore, Chinese singers Na Ying, Second Hand Rose, Rainie Yang, Silence Wang, Hailai A’Mu, and Moroccan-Canadian singer Faouzia Ouihya.
Faouzia
The international singers' performances were particularly outstanding. Faouzia, a Gen Z singer, kicked off the show with a powerful rendition of "Crazy" with an expansive vocal range, leaving Na Ying in awe. In the performance of "If I Ain't Got You", Chanté Moore showcased a relaxed and rich vocal in the verses, hit whistle register in the chorus, and paused dramatically before reigniting the crowd, demonstrating incredible control and stability. Despite being confident in her excellent singing skills since her debut, Na Ying admitted, "I still have room for improvement".
Chanté Moore
The stellar performances of the international singers prompted netizens to call upon Chinese music heavyweights like Tengger, Han Lei, Tan Jing, and G.E.M. to join the competition.
Na Ying
However, the enthusiasm for powerful foreign singers remained strong. As rumors of Adam Lambert, Charlie Puth, and Ariana Grande joining the show circulated, the anticipation among fans grew exponentially.
In fact, in the past eight seasons of "Singer", it has featured numerous international singers, including Dimash, Shila, Kristian Kostov, and Polina Gagarina. Jessie J notably secured three consecutive wins in weekly competitions, ultimately claiming the "King of Singers" title, surpassing Chinese singers like Tengger and Wang Feng.
So, why were Chanté Moore and Faouzia's performances particularly impactful? A significant factor is the "one-take" agreement signed by each singer, requiring performances to be completed in a single take, regardless of any live performance incidents, avoiding excessive post-production editing.
Na Ying, a prominent Chinese singer, felt the pressure of this true live and one-take format. "Previously, shows were pre-recorded. Although we sang live, the challenges of pre-recording and live broadcasting are different."
In contrast, the two foreign singers appeared at ease. From the press conference to the show and post-performance interviews, Chanté Moore and Faouzia expressed no concerns about the live and one-take format. For these international singers, "nervousness" stemmed only from the uncertainty of facing a new market, new audiences, and a new stage, rather than from their professional abilities. Live performances and onetake requirements are standard in the Western music industry.
The "Singer 2024" production team stated that the show's original intent is to "connect through music and communicate with the world", urging, "Here, music remains the universal language of communication. We hope everyone watching 'Singer 2024' enjoys the music, finds like-minded friends, maintains communication, and embraces the world."
Source | Yangcheng Evening News
