Night in the 'Dojo'

Ten years after waving goodbye to their fans in what everyone thought would be their last performance together, the gang from Bakery Music’s subsidiary label Dojo City reunited last Saturday for a packed-out show at Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani.

It was an impressive comeback for supergroup B5 and the members of the label’s temporarily-ceased gal groups, with “LOVEiS Special DOJO-B5 Super Homecoming Live Concert” marking the return of Pornpan “Joyce” Rattanamethanon, of the duo Triumphs Kingdom in her first full performance under TK’s name.

And in a wonderful New Year’s gift for the audience, Bakery and LoveIs’ songwriters performed prior to the concert on a mini square stage right in the middle of the audience. Led by Bakery co-founder Boyd Kosiyabong, they played acoustic versions of eight songs that were later repeated by various artists.

The five-member B5 ruled the stage for the first half of the four-hour show performing a mix of 30 songs and medleys, both their own and titles associated with Bakery/LoveIs. Much-loved singer Chalathit “Ben” Tantiwuth stood out as did piano wizard Saksit “Tor” Vejsupaporn, though the less prolific but no less talented Suweera “Q” Boonrod, Uthai “Cake” Poonyamund and Mariam Alkalali also put on a stunning show.

With stories, both retold and untold, about their friendship and work history shown on the big screens and in their own words, B5 took the audience back to yesteryear, spicing up the chat with various songs and Tor’s trademark piano skills.

With a sizeable back-up band divided into two parts providing the live music and five vertical screens capturing each of them throughout, the B5 spectacle was moving too, with Cake often reduced to tears as he revisited days gone by.

That said, the fans could have done with some teleprompter help with the lyrics on the large screens at the sides of the stage, though most had no problems remembering the hooks and choruses.

After a 15-minute intermission, all 10 female singers of the four bands under Dojo City came out on to stage, livening up the audience and wowing them with their more mature but no less attractive looks. 

In addition to TK’s other half Surattanawee “Bo” Suwiporn, the ladies included Kiratra “Ki” Brahmasakha Na Sakolnagara and Arpassanee “Kit” Sirirat-assadorn of Niece; Kusalin “Gift” Kowhakul and Ploy Horwang of Project H; Pornphet “Pink” Thammaratthanadee and Tearyakate “Pui” Isurang of Mister Sister as well as soloists Wansiri Phokkulkanont, aka Oil Shocking Pink, and Nadia Suttikulpanich.

Cheers were long and loud for Joyce, who was making just her second appearance on stage after a very difficult few years.

For this second half, the five screens were moved aside and replaced by Dojo City’s twin circle logo and a DJ booth manned by Somkiat “Mr Z” Ariyachaipanich, the backbone of Bakery’s dance music and the founder of Dojo City.

The fans sang along loudly to the hits of each act, which included Mister Sister’s Amadoo, a song that borrows from Black Lace’s “Agadoo”; TK’s “Handkerchief” and “Love Love Love”, Niece’s “Kiss”, and Project H’s love ballad classic “Secret”.

Apisit “Joey Boy” Opasaimlikit was next to entertain the crowd with five fun hip-hop and dance titles, including “Fun Fun Fun” with all 10 girls and the fans dancing along. The fun peaked during “Salaone Tia Long”, as he and the girls crouched down the floor as the lyrics dictated. Joey Boy lay down on his back when the crouching stopped, drawing screams from the crowd.

Boyd and the songwriters returned in the finale for Project H’s “Don’t Worry” and much to everyone’s delight announced he was planning another show featuring both B5 and Dojo City performers later in the year. 

And despite the finale, the concert was far from over as fellow Bakery co-founder Kamol “Sukie” Sukosol Clapp took to his monkey-shaped DJ booth for an after-party session featuring a mix of high-energy dance songs. Applause rang out loud and clear as Ben and Modern Dog’s Thanachai “Pod” Ujjin took turns to sing a few more numbers while the fans danced and clapped.