Soul Love
The very talented soul and R&B singer-songwriter Khalil Fong is giving us his first major live concert – finally. His second album, This Love, features collaborations with hip-hop duo Fama and pop sweetheart Fiona Sit. Though the soul boy is busy promoting the new album and preparing for the coming shows, he has already started writing new material for his third album, scheduled for release in August. We talk to him on various things.

Khalil on…
Rundown of the coming shows.
Songs from my two albums, some English covers by Stevie Wonder, Nat King Cole and Brian McKnight. Maybe some Ray Charles as well.
Being labelled the ‘Hong Kong Jay Chou’.
I understand why people say that. The audiences in Hong Kong say that because they don’t know much about R&B yet and there are only a few artists they can refer to, like Jay Chou and David Tao.
His favourite album at the moment.
John Mayer’s Continuum. Out of his three albums, he sounds most like Eric Clapton this time. His music is more mature than before and the tone is a bit sad.
A song he wishes was written by him.
Stevie Wonder’s Lately. The song is just so great. It is simple yet no one else has ever written anything like it.
His name, Khalil.
It means ‘friends’ in Arabic. My dad picked it up from a name book because he thought it was special.
Khalil plays at the Arts Center from February 1-3 at 8pm. Ticket $200 and $300 from URBTIX, 2734 9009.

The Other Side
So your Dark Side of the Moon CD is almost worn thin and you know Roger Waters, the brain behind Pink Floyd, is coming to town. Here are a few things you may not know:

• He is a rocker, but he also enjoys fishing.
• He often describes himself as a ‘socialist’.
• He is tall. Very tall. 6 feet 4 inches.
• In Leaving Beirut, a single he released in 2005 in response to the war in Iraq, he wrote: “George, your Texas education must have fucked you up when you were small.” Guess he doesn’t like Mr. Bush a lot.
• After performing in Hong Kong, he will fly to India and play at the MMRDA Grounds in Mumbai on February 18.

Roger Waters will play at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on February 15. The show starts at 8pm and tickets from $390-$990 are available from www.hkticketing.com.

Just in Love
Who can beat him? Only two years after his debut performance in Hong Kong, he is staging his own concert with the Philharmonic Orchestra, a dream come true for many pop artists in Hong Kong. We are talking about Justin, who says he will perform new songs in the concert and may also play percussion and guitar. Though a bit disappointed he can’t incorporate a choir, he still appreciates the chance of working with the orchestra so much that he says he would do it for free. Though we still need to pay for the tickets. HKPO & Justin Live – In Love with the Philharmonic will be performed from February 8-11 at the Hong Kong Coliseum. The show starts at 8:15pm. Tickets from $100-$400 are available from URBTIX, 2734 9009.

Gig Guide

Punk Nite at The Undearground @ Edge (G/F, 60 Wyndham St, Central), Feb 3, 9pm.Go for: Punk music by Little Fat Pig, Hard Pack and The Deported from Taiwan. Ticket $80 at door.

Yamaha Clavinova Club Keyboard Concert @ Ngau Chi Wan Civic Centre Theatre, Feb 9, 8pm. Go for: Piano solos by Pong Nan and Japanese performer Mina Nagakawa. Ticket $50 from URBTIX, 2734 9009.

Start From Scratch @ The Warehouse (116, Aberdeen Main Rd), Feb10, 7:30pm. Go for: King Ly Chee, Shepherds the Weak, Embryo, Los En Found, Screamhard and Innisfallen. Ticket $50 at door. Call 2873 2244 for details.

Theme Nights @ Le Rideau (1/f, Hilltop Plaza, 49 Hollywood Rd, 2850 8833) Go for: A wild cowboy night with girl band Shotgun SheRas on Feb 2 or DJ Lee spins on Feb 3.