The Stars are born

Cramming 50 singers into a four-hour show was never going to be an easy task but XACT-GMM, organisers of the three “The Star 10” concerts staged last weekend at Impact Arena Muang Thong Thani, did a fantastic job, designing a professional show that boasted a variety of segments and brought the talents of all the contributors to the fore.

The sold-out concert, which celebrated the tenth anniversary of the long-running TV talent show series by bringing 50 of the contestants to the stage, kicked off more or less on time and delighted fans of all ages. Fan clubs of particular artists were out in force, cornering entire sections of the Arena and holding up electric-powered signs bearing their heroes’ names.

The stars of the show were, as one would expect, the winners of the series and their runners-up, most of whom have gone on to carve out good careers. Sukrit “Bie” Wisetkaew, duo New & Jew and Tanatat “Kangsom” Chaiyaat all enjoyed their own spots with all 50 singers crooning either individually or in small groups their own hits and covers of songs by fellow GMM artists.

One of the highlights was a short musical comedy that benefitted from a good script and good-humoured players and which led into the final segment of the show during which a mammoth 45 songs and medleys were performed.

The brief comedy was made all the more hilarious when “The Star 1” champion Sonthaya Chitmani appeared on stage in an outfit clearly mimicking anti-government protest leader Suthep Thuagsuban complete with a whistle around his neck.

Another highlight was the sessions featuring Ruj, Earn, Am, King and Dew, who performed the soundtracks from five popular television series before handing over the stage to 12 singers for “Nai Luang Khong Phaendin” (“King of the Land”).

While the 10 winners were accorded longer times for their songs and performances than the runners-up, all 50 artists had their chance to shine, making up duos, trios and choruses to perform a good mix of songs.

The ladies were given their own sessions and made the most of them, showing both their sex appeal and singing abilities with Panwarot “Grand” Duaysianklao as usual heading the hotties.  She performed her signature “Sakod Jai” accompanied by seven muscular guys who stripped off their shirts and sent the female fans into a frenzy. 

Wichayanee “Gam” Piaklin, the only female to have won the talent contest, impressed with solos, duos and group performances both in the girl shows and with the men and won especially loud applause for her rendition of "Let It Go”, the Thai version of the song from Disney's blockbuster flick “Frozen”.

There was no live music at the show but the minus-one backing tracks worked well and gave off a hiccup-free sound.

Following a long segment starring Bie, New&Jew – Napassorn Phoothornjai and Piyanut Suajongproo – and Kangsom, all 50 artists took to the stage to close out the show, singing “The Star’s” anthem “Pheu Dao Duang Nan” (“For That Star”) and newly penned anniversary track  “Rak Khong Chan Nan Khue Ther” (“My Love Is You”).

While there are as yet no indications as to whether “The Star 11” might be in the making, XACT-GMM are presumably well pleased with both the show and the turnout and thus looking at more and better events to come.