Nostalgia with a merry note

Television host Nawat Isarakraisin has longed dreamed of staging a concert featuring the sounds of the ’80s and now he’s come up with both the financing and the stars to make that dream come true. The show, titled “Ploenchit”, meaning “merry”, is all set to take place at Impact Arena on March 16.

“I want to let audiences enjoy something different so I decided to look back over my life and my favourite songs,” says Nawat, who co-hosts Channel 3’s “Tonight Show”. “The 30 songs that will be performed at the concert are timeless that I’m confident that everybody will be able to sing along.”

However, Nawat admits that he has run into a few problems both with copyright and in scheduling a date that would allow the artists to perform.

“The music copyright has been a real problem. It hasn’t been easy to look up the copyright holders, who have changed after 10 years and now range from the songwriter, singer and even the Department of Intellectual Property. And the payment for copyright fees isn’t cheap,” he says.

But he has managed to purchase the rights to some classics. Among the artists giving a foretaste of what to expect during the recent press conference were Jennifer Kim who covered Pannida Sewatasai’s “Rak Thi Yak Luem” and Chalatit “Ben” Tantiwut with McIntosh’s “Lom Hai Jai Haeng Khwam Khid Thueng”,

Saharat “Kong” Sangkapricha covered Danupol Kaewkarn’s “Pieng Sobta”, Saksit “Tor” Vejsupaporn played Sao Sao Sao’s “Rak Khue Fun Pai”, Nat Sakdatorn was convincing on Forever’s “Papa Mama”, while Ronnachai “Od” Thomyapariwat, a member of ’80s pop band Khiriboon sang his signature number “Ror Wan Chan Rak Ther.” The concert will also feature two undisclosed surprise guests.

“I’m really looking for this concert because all the songs date back to my era,” says Sutee “Kai” Sangsareechon, former Grand Ex’ member and the show’s music director.

“I’m still keeping the songs’ gimmicks but will be mixing them with more modern music and singing styles to make them more danceable.”

“I started playing music by artists like Grand Ex’ and The Innocent while I was at high school,” says Saharat, a member of Nuvo, while Jennifer Kim, adds that the songs inspired her to make singing her career.

Ben too is looking forward to the show. “I have been on the music scene for 10 years and it’s rare that I get a chance to sing great numbers from the ’70s and ’80s.” 

Tor Saksit, who’s the son of Grand Ex’ member Nakorn Vejsupaporn, grew up with the artists of that era but surprisingly has never covered a single ’80s number. Nat from Academy Fantasia says he admires songs from the ’80s: “I think that language of songs in those days was beautiful, very different from what we have today. Those songs are still in everybody’s memory.”

 

       Make merry

_ “Ploenchit” is being staged at Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani on March 16 at 2pm and again at 8pm. The 2pm performance is supported by Wuttisak Clinic, which will be giving out “Beauty Perfect” vouchers to all ticket holders.

_ Tickets cost from Bt1,000 to Bt3,000 at Thai Ticket Major. Call (02) 262 3456 or buy online at www.ThaiTicketMajor.com.