Fun and games with Raptor

Proving that star power never dies, more than 10,000 fans, most of them in their 30s, turned out to Impact Arena in Muang Thong Thani last weekend for the “Raptor 2012 Encore Concert”.
Organised after the phenomenally successful “Raptor 2011 the Concert” at Siam Paragon, the encore drew even larger crowds, with tickets for both rounds of the show selling out within three hours of going on sale.
While last year’s performances were designed to please fans who still missed Joni Anwar and Louis Scott, now following their own careers after splitting up in 1998, the encore highlighted “Fun”.
As graphics appearing on the big screen on stage and green lasers danced in all directions, fireworks exploded and the duo emerged singing the uptempo “Kreang Jai”, “Mai Care”, “GO GO GO” and “Super Hero” to loud applause and screams.
The first surprise guest appeared via video recordings showing a young man practising acrobatic sport of free running or parkour. Before fans had time to figure it out, Anan Anwar, actor, singer and younger brother of Joni, appeared on stage, performing his popular songs “Ding Dong” and “Taleung” in a high-energy act that combined dancing with parkour moves.
Joni joined his brother on stage and they step danced together.
As the two Anwars worked out on stage, the giant projector doubled the fun by showing four Anwars making the same moves.
Joni then brought the temperature down with popular romantic ballads “Roo Seuk Yang Rai” , “Kham Diew” and “Rou Tur Bang Mai” as the audience happily sang along. As Joni and Louis crooned “Ya Pood Loei”, the giant screen showed recordings of the duo singing, giving fans the impression that two pairs of Raptors were singing just for them.
Guest Prissana “Pookie” Praisaeng added fun with her popular songs “Z Loei” and “Sha-la-la” before Louis returned for a solo on “Cham Chan Dai Mai” then joined Joni on “Yak Hai Rou Wa Rak Tor” with smooth saxophone.
“This concert is taking place because of you all. Our team said you are everything for us. But to me, you are more than everything” Joni said before singing “Raeng Bun Daan Jai”.
Surprisingly, Joni and Louis walked down from stage and allowed fans to get up close with them.
And after the two singers grabbed the bars of the scaffold-like structure, it was lifted high into the air to allow fans in second, third and fourth tiers to get close to them too..
Screams and applause greeted the next guest, Ruengsak “James” Loychusak, who performed “Khow Man Kai”, “Chap Chap Chap” and “Silent Love” before toning down the beat with “Mai Art Pleian Jai”.
Louis, Joni returned to the stage and along with all their guests entertained with “Plob Pheun”.
Left alone once again, the duo sang “Kid Tueng Ther” with the contribution of a young couple dressed in wedding outfits. Apparently, they were fans at Raptor and had played the song on their wedding day.
Joni and Louis wrapped the show with a medley that brought the crowd to their feet, singing “Let’s Live for Today” “Tong Yok Hai” , “Leun Mak Chue Yak” “Chai Loei” and “Kreang Jai” and “Sa Yo Na Ra”, as footage of rehearsals played on the big screen.