Five Favourites
Hungarian violinist Antal Szalai

What is your favourite classical music piece of all time?
My favourite classical music piece is always the one I am actually playing. However some compositions hold a special place in my heart – the Tchaikovsky violin concerto is one of them.

Who is your favourite classical music composer?
If I have to say one, it would be Mozart.

Who is your favourite pop music singer (or group)?
I don’t really listen to pop music. If it is not classical music, I prefer to listen to jazz music of the highest standard – such as pianist Keith Jarrett’s playing.

What is your favourite pop song of all time?
I cannot choose a favourite pop song since I don’t know many of them...

What is your favourite season/time of the year?
Spring. I always look forward to the first day of spring when it is possible to walk on the street without an overcoat. That day is always joyful.

Described by Yehudi Menuhin as “one of the most wonderful young violinists I have ever heard”, 27-year-old Antal Szalai gave his first public performance at the age of 5 and has since gone on to win several prestigious international music competitions. On Thursday, March 27, the Budapest-born violinist will be the featured artist for the HK Sinfonietta’s Antal Szalai Plays Tchaikovsky concert. The performance at the HK City Hall’s Concert Hall is scheduled to commence at 8pm. Tickets are $220, $150 and $100 from URBTIX, 2734 9009.

Fab Five
After months of anticipation, Maroon 5 are finally landing in Hong Kong on March 19 for their It Won’t Be Soon Before Long tour. The band from Los Angeles has already sold over 10 million records worldwide and, before thousands of fans bring down the AsiaWorld-Arena, here are a few Maroon facts: The five members are frontman, singer and guitarist Adam Levine; James Valentine also on guitar and vocals; keyboards player and vocalist Jesse Carmichael; bassist Mickey Madden; and Matt Flynn on drums and percussion.

The band has won numerous awards since the release of its debut album, Songs about Jane, including Grammys for Best New Artist in 2005, Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals for This Love in 2006 and again this year for Makes Me Wonder.

The music video of This Love features Adam and his then-girlfriend model Kelly McKee in intimate scenes. A ‘clean’ version was made for more conservative markets.

Maroon 5 will be playing at the AsiaWorld-Arena on March 19 from 8pm. Tickets are $690, $490, $290 from HK Ticketing, 31 288 288.

Underground 55
Underground 55 looks like it will give music fans of just about every genre a treat on March 15. Topao will be playing instrumental fusion jazz while ChoChukMo, once described as “better than Franz Ferdinand”, will showcase their quirky indie pop. Heavily influenced by post-punk and shoegazing, The Yours will surely rock the stage, as will Thinking Out Loud, with Underground’s organizer Chris B on vocals, Chris W on guitar, bassist Egg (also a member of HK 2006 Battle of the Bands winners The Train) and Bren on drums. The show begins at 8pm at The Cavern. Tickets are $100 at the door.

Broadway in Hong Kong
Those crazy for the sound of Broadway don’t have to fly all the way to New York City to find it: renowned jazz pianist and vocalist Harry Connick Jr is to stage his first concert in Hong Kong this March. Recently appearing in P.S. I Love You with Hilary Swank, Harry was born and raised in New Orleans and released his major label debut at 19. Since then he has developed an impressive CV in music, film and on stage – with over 25 million records sold, three Grammy awards, an Emmy, and a few Tony nominations. He can sing, act, play the piano and he is good looking, what more do you want? Catch him and his big band at the HK Convention & Exhibition Centre’s Hall 3 on March 19 at 8pm. Tickets cost $690, $490 and $290 from HK Ticketing, 31 288 288.

Marching Music
Gayamyan haven’t performed for a year but they are finally returning with Marching LIVE 2008. Those who miss the band’s witty and powerful music and vocalist Chan Ho Fung’s unique singing style will need to rush for tickets if the popularity of last year’s show is anything to go by. The band will play on March 14 at Fringe Club’s Fringe Gallery. Showtime is at 10:30pm. Tickets cost $150, include one drink, and are available from the Fringe Club box office, 2521 7251.

Taiwan Rock, China Blue
Taiwan rock godfather Wu Ba and his band China Blue are performing in Hong Kong in a seventh Asian tour whose name literally translates as ‘You Are My Flower’. The tour, which kicked off in Kuala Lumpur, also marks the 15th anniversary of the band. Other than producing his own music, Wu Ba has written for Andy Lau, Faye Wong, Jacky Cheng and Karen Mok, and scored the music for various Asian films such as Tsui Hark’s Time and Tide. The show features both classics and the band’s latest songs, all with a disco feel. So put on your dancing shoes on March 14 and 15 at the HITEC Star Hall. The shows start at 8:15pm with tickets priced at $400, $300 and $100 from HK Ticketing, 31 288 288.

Traffic Jams
After their album launch party last week with guests such as Paul Wong and Josie Ho, Audiotraffic are back on the run. Their next concert, Audiotraffic and Friends, will feature Solar, Hard Pack and singer-songwriter Ryan Hui. Formerly known as Cry, Audiotraffic are guitaristDon Cruz and Adrian daSilva on guitar and vocals. They were the opening act for Mansun’s gig in Hong Kong in 1999 and play mainly Brit and indie rock. If you missed their lastshow, catch Audiotraffic and their musical comrades on March 21 at The Jockey Club Auditorium of the HK Polytechnic University. The show starts at 8:30pm. Tickets are $199 and $159 from HK Ticketing, 31 288 288.

Diva Live
Beauty and the Beast, The Power of Love, Because You Loved Me, It’s All Come Back To Me Now and the spine-tingling My Heart Will Go On – need we say more? Celine Dion has already sold 200 million albums worldwide and now she is coming to Macau for a one-night-only performance at The Venetian Arena on March 15. Whether you are fan of the legendary diva or just want to see if she looks as slim as her recent album’s cover indicates, you can get your tickets online at www.venetianmacaotickets.com, by phone on (853) 2882 8818, or in person at the Sands Macao lobby and The Venetian Arena box office. The show starts at 8:30pm and tickets are priced at MOP$2,500, MOP$1,200 and MOP$800.

Coming Soon
Hong Kong seems to be treating its international stars well. British singer-songwriter James Blunt will hit the stage of the HK Convention and Exhibition Centre’s Hall 3 on May 15 with his All The Lost Souls tour. Tickets are $880, $680 and $480. Kanye West, N.E.R.D. and Teriyakiboyz will appear together for Worldwide Bape Heads Show 2008 in Hong Kong, presented by Silly Thing and ITXX on April 10 at HITEC Star Hall. Tickets go on sale on March 17 at $1180, $880 and $580. Duran Duran, in support of their latest album Red Carpet Massacre, will be at the PopTv Arena on April 12. Tickets are priced at $780, $580 and $380 and tickets of all of the above shows are available from HK Ticketing, 31 288 288. Music fans looking for a softer touch will find it with Kenny G who will be blowing us away on May 9 at AsiaWorld-Arena. Ticket details to be announced soon.

Fame Returns
Georgie Fame is coming back to Hong Kong after last year’s shows at Grappa’s Cellar. The 64-year-old British jazz and blues singer and keyboard player will be playing at the same venue again on March 14 and 15. Younger jazz and blues fans not so familiar with the entertainer may want to get acquainted with The Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde, his No 1 hit in the UK back in 1968, or search through the back catalogue of the legendary Van Morrison from 1989-1997, when Fame played the organ and served as musical director. The music starts at 9pm and tickets cost $380 – call 2521 2322.

Sheng It!
Talk about East meets West at this year’s HK Arts Festival and you must mean Sheng It Up. The sheng is one of the oldest instruments in Chinese culture and local composer Ng Cheuk-yin combines the sound of this 3,000 year-old wind instrument with SIU2’s modern rock music. All SIU2’s music is written by Ng for band members Peter Fan on piano, Jason Lau on zheng, Lam Tin-wai on sanxian, bassist Liang Chun-wai and drummer Melchior Sarreal. To witness this cultural hybrid, make sure you have a seat on March 14 at the HK City Hall’s Theatre and be in it by 8:15pm. Tickets are priced at $180, $120, $100 from URBIX, 2734 9009.

Southern Star
Music of Sicily – does that sound like a theme for the immortal Godfather? Not really. Agricantus, a band from the famous Mediterranean island, combines traditional and contemporary instruments and modern techniques in a new southern Italian sound. The band have built an international reputation with a mix of ethnic music and ambient and trance rhythms and have been a feature of music festivals all over the world. They are coming to HK for a show on March 15 at the HK City Hall’s Theatre. Tickets are $240 and $180 from URBIX, 2734 9009.

Wonder Live
After his well-received second album, This Love, Khalil ‘Soul boy’ Fong’s latest, Wonderland, shows a more mature and versatile sound combining soul, funk, blues, R&B and pop. The multi-talented singer-songwriter will be staging Khalil Wonderland Live on March 30 and 31 at HITEC Star Hall. Tickets are $380, $280 and $180 from HK Ticketing, 31 288 288.

Table’s Ready
Active in the Hong Kong live music scene, Bone Table recently released a free online EP. Bassist Maggie talks of their Sheung Wan sound.

Why is the EP titled Sheung Wan Sound?
Bone Table was born in Sheung Wan. Sheung Wan reverberates in our soul; edgy and gritty with a punch. It’s also where our drummer, James, has his artist’s studio and where we practise.

Tell us about the background of the three songs.
Taxi To Wan Chai is the story of a real person we all know, but who shall remain nameless, and his salacious activities in the infamous district of Hong Kong after a hard day’s work. Takamatsu Joe is about the honour and death of a legendary Japanese warrior. Wash It Out of Sight is a melancholy vignette about the purification of water.

What records would you guys regard as a ‘soundtrack to a city’?
Beastie Boys’ Paul’s Boutique, which reminds us of NYC or any urban cities these days. The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan reminds me of the desolate empty landscape of the Badlands in Alberta. And Sufjan Stevens’ Come On Feel The Illinois.

Check out Sheung Wan Sound at http://mp3.com.hk/bonetable. Catch them live on March 14 at Peel Fresco Music Lounge (49 Peel Street, free entry) and on March 21 at Listen Up! at the Fringe Club, 2521 7251. The latter show’s line-up also includes Born to Hula and Very Ape. Entry is $90 with one standard drink.

My Favourite Album Of All-time… - Ho, drummer of The Fragile 
Michael Andrews’ Me and You and Everyone We Know original soundtrack.
“The soundtrack is moody and mixes ambient and indie folk music. It’s my everyday music and is very inspiring. Great stuff for me to dream to. When I put on my headphones, all the noises of the city disappear. Life turns into something miraculous!”

Greatly influenced by post-rock, dream-pop and shoegazing, The Fragile was formed in 2006 by vocalist/guitarist Fred, guitarist Jacqueline, bassist Tat, drummer Ho and keyboard player Bighead. They will share the stage with Black Wine, Downer, The Dummy, Synthetic (In) semination, Unixx and Take Bad With The Good for Rock Fuse for an evening filled with exciting indie music. The gig is organised by the City University Band Society for March 27 at Wei Hing Theatre, The City University of HK. The show kicks off at 6:30pm and tickets cost $85 at door, $70 in advance from Zoo Records, White Noise Records, HotFocus music studio and the City University.

New Talent
Up-and-coming singer-songwriter Kenix Cheang has already penned for and worked with pop stars like Joey Yung and Andy Hui, and scored for various TV dramas. She often performs solo during her live shows, but this time she will hit the stage with band Why-Chord and plays her own interpretation of local hits and some psychedelic rock. She tells how she moved from “hating music” to wanting to work with it every day.

I have heard that you are from a musical family. Are you influenced by them?
I am seriously influenced by them! (giggles) My grandpa was a composer and he was the one who taught me music. My dad sings in the National Opera in New Zealand… I think he is probably the first Chinese to do that. Other family members are a conductor and a vocalist. So, yes, I am from a musical family.

Is that what got you into being a singer-songwriter?
Actually, no. When I was a kid I didn’t mind practising piano all day, but when you become older you think something like ‘Why not sleep for a bit more?’ or ‘Can I go online instead?’ There was a period
that I really hated music because my family made me learn it. I didn’t like singing because my voice is low key, which wasn’t common at the time, but then came Candy Lo in Black and Blue and I found I could sing in her range. That was when I started feeling comfortable and began singing, I formed a band and now I really love playing music.

How did it feel when a song of yours was first played on
the radio?
The first song I got plugged on the radio was Good Morning, Sadness (literal translation) for Joey Yung. I wasn’t the arranger of the song so I got to hear the final version only on radio. But I admire Joey Yung a lot so it was really exciting for me. The song was published three years after I wrote it, so you can imagine how tough it was, as a songwriter, waiting for a chance.

What are your major music influences?
There are a lot… Hide (former guitarist of X Japan), Leslie Cheung, Moby, Coldplay, Limp Bizkit, Damien Rice, Ryuichi Sakamoto – it is really a wide range.

Kenix will play with Why-Chord at Backstage on March 14 at 10:30pm. Tickets are $180 (and include two standard drinks). Call 2167 8985 for bookings.

Also playing at Backstage is jazz guitarist Tommy Ho with his friends on March 13 at 9:30pm. On March 15, vocalist Horace Mui and his friends, including Derek Pang on piano, will be making us all aware of love and pain. That show starts at 10:30pm. For something fresh and green, look out for Greenie Starry Night: Let’s “Eye” Touch Night – Kirin and Friends on March 19 at 10pm. Jason Ho will be playing with a mysterious guitarist from the US the following night at 9:30pm. On March 21 at 10:30pm, RAW Show will feature Jone Chui for a night of acoustic music. Newly formed jazz/fusion/acid jazz band Seedtime will hit the stage on March 26 at 10pm. Admissions range from $130 - $180. Call 216 8985 for reservation.

Going For A Ride?
Probably not many of us have heard of a music genre called Nintendocore, but we are about to experience it when LA-based five-piece Horse the Band hit the stage in Hong Kong. According to the band, the term refers to their ‘spastic and glorious brutality’. Excited to be putting on show for such a high calibre band, King Ly Chee’s Riz told us how he fell for Horse the Band a few years ago.

“I always thought they were just so funny because they put a lot of humour into their music even though it’s packed with heavy in-your-face guitar riffs.” While he thinks metalcore is oversaturated to the point where everyone pretty much sounds the same and has been doing the same thing for years, Horse the Band came as a surprise. “… it is still heavy but mixes in keyboards, has some of the funniest music videos ever, and to see them doing something so different with heavy music made me an instant fan.”

Therefore when the band approached him for possible help putting on a show in Hong Kong, he jumped at the chance and the result will be the gig on March 21. Horse the Band will be playing at Pier Pressure (Lamma Island Ferry Pier #4, Central)with supporting bands King Ly Chee, Ignite the Hope, Mensheng and Hermetic Silence. The show starts at 7:30pm. Tickets cost $150 at door, or call 9528 5433 or 9343 0457 for advance tickets at $130.