Fong Beer's hot Potato
Many artists - except one particular band - pay tribute to the hit songwriter's career
More than 4,000 fans headed to Pattaya’s Ocean Marina Yacht Club for last week’s “Extra Love Concert by Fong Beer” and enjoyed the atmosphere on the beach as more than 60 hits were performed by 17 artists.
The music celebrated 10 years of songwriting by Patiwate Uthaichalerm, who’s better known as Fong Beer.
But, notably absent was the rock band Potato, which has benefited greatly from Fong Beer’s talents. Instead, 15 of Potato’s songs were covered by other artists. No explanation for the band’s absence was given, though rumour has it that Fong Beer and Potato have fallen out.
Storm clouds threatened to put a quick end to the show, but fortunately the rain lasted only a few minutes.
The concert opened with the new girl group Pretty Please covering Potato’s “Ya Ma Tham Na Ta Dee” and Zeal’s “Chan Kamlang Ja Tai” before yielding to boy band Yes’sir Days with Potato’s “Mai Roo Ja Athibai Yangrai” and their own numbers “Won” and “Karn Ma Khong Ther”.
M Atthaphon and Ruj Suparuj made the crowd scream as they joined for “Ya Ron Tua” and more Potato covers.
DJ Mam of 106.5 Green Wave came out with “La Eye Jai” while Chin Chinawut persuaded the audience to sing along to Potato’s “Kla Phor Mai”.
Bell Suphon showed he could be sweet, pairing with Eve Pudhida on “Will U Marry Me?”
Sant Bhiromphakdi, vocalist from Krungthep Marathon, soloed on Potato’s “Pak Dee”, while Yai Monotone performed Palmy’s “Kunjae Thi Hai Pai”.
Even the disco-orientated singer Burin Boonvisut covered Potato’s “Ther Yang” before stirring the crowd with his rousing hit “Yood”.
Marsha, AB Normal and Zeal didn’t perform any Potato songs but ETC presented “Rak Thae Do Lae Mai Dai” and “Rak Ther Pai Thuk Wan” as well as their own songs.
Members of Clash, AB Normal, Zeal and Fong Beer himself backed up Bee Peerapat as he performed Potato’s “Nee Lae Khwam Sia Jai”.
Bank Clash sang “Bang Earn Loke Klom Phrom Likhit” before jamming with his former guitarist Hack on “Love Does Exist” and “It’s Gonna Be OK”.
Before the concert came to an end, Bank Clash, Bee Peerapat and Ruj Suparuj joined for Potato’s “Phieng Phor” with the rock band’s guitarist Win Ratanaphol.
