Crazy Times for Stamp

After several postponements for various reasons, Apiwat “Stamp” Ueathavornsuk’s first solo concert, “Stamp Krean Day” (“The Crazy Day of Stamp”) at the Impact complex last Saturday, proved to be one of his most memorable performances. The planned single show became two thanks to ticket demand, one in the afternoon and another in the evening, both three hours’ worth of laughter and tears of joy. It was a rewarding day for Stamp, a music “veteran” of nearly a decade, going back to his time with the trio 7th Scene.
Stamp has since written and produced hits including “Kwam Kid” and “Khon Thee Khun Kor Roo Wa Khai”, but it was his coaching role on the first season of television’s “The Voice” that made him a star, adored for his “nice yet naughty” attitude as much as his professionalism.
Stamp brought that charisma to the stage last weekend with abundant wit. The crowd was as mesmerised as it had been when he performed as a duo with Thanakrit “Wan” Panichwit several years back. Like a mango that needs time to fully ripen, he’s become delicious, and the fans couldn’t keep screaming at his every move, even taking a drink of water.
The stage was set up as if it were Stamp’s home-office loft and the sound and lighting were relatively good. Stamp began with a medley of hits – “Mun Kong Pen Kwam Rak”, the backing tune from “30 Kamlang Jaew” (“Fabulous 30”), “Chai Klang” and “Khon Thee Khun Kor Roo Wa Khai”.
“I’m really happy you’re all with me today despite the fact that there’s a Korean music concert at Rajamangala Stadium and the Ploenjit oldies concert nearby,” Stamp declared with a laugh.
His singer friends and others who have influenced him appeared onstage in turn, and Stamp stayed at their sides the whole time, never taking a break. He never seemed to run out of energy, singing, talking, dancing, rushing to and fro and even riding a bicycle around the hall.
Oui from Buddha Bless was first to arrive, shaking the hall with his single “Luem Pai Kon”, which Stamp wrote. Accompanied by the song “Animation”, about the cycle of life, illustrator Wisut Ponnimit drew pictures of a girl gradually growing older – and also showed off his talent on the drums.
Next came a couple of “Boys”, Stamp’s heroes dressed as superheroes – “father figure” Boy(d) Kosiyabong as the Masked Rider and Trai “Boy” Bhumiratna as Ultraman.
“Please don’t remember what I do today – just remember me as the familiar image of a soft and tender man,” Boyd joked. Then, in a serious tone: “I still remember when Stamp had stage fright and was terrified the audience wouldn’t enjoy his performance. But today I’m very proud of him and happy to see that so many people love him so much.”
Stamp kept up the emotional drama with “Thidsadee See Chompoo”, “Saboo” and “Klang Sudthai” before his long-time friend Golf Fukking Hero appeared to sing “Ratri Sawad”. Golf invited everyone to stand for a minute’s silence in tribute to soldiers slain in the southern violence.
The crowd rocked in their seats and danced in the aisles when Oui, Golf and Stamp upped the beat with the recently released “Ohm Jong Ngeuy” and “Salawan”. Then Chat and Art from 7th Scene got nostalgic with the song “Ror Fang Kam Nan”.
No one stayed seated when Pod Moderndog rocked through “Ta Sawang” and “Lom Hai Jai” at the afternoon show. Noi Krissada took his place in the evening.
The concert couldn’t have been complete without a rendition of Stamp’s most popular single, “Kwam Kid”, and “Song Muen” and “Mun Kong Pen Kwam Rak” followed. While singing “Song Muen”, which he also wrote, Stamp reminded everyone that the average life lasts just 20,000 days – all the more reason to make it worthwhile.
“I kept waiting for today, but, ironically, I don’t want such a memorable day to be over,” he said with tears in his eyes. “I’ve lived on Earth for over 10,000 days, and today was one of my greatest days. You’ve all made my life worthwhile, and I’ll be happy with the 8,000 days that remain.”