Hong Kong, SAR – Legendary Cantopop icon Jacky Cheung launched the highly anticipated finale of his global “60+ Tour” at the Hong Kong Coliseum last night, marking his 11th time headlining the revered venue. The residency, scheduled for 20 shows, immediately set a new record, increasing his lifetime total performances at the Coliseum to an unprecedented 203, solidifying his status as the venue’s most frequent solo performer. The 64-year-old superstar, despite candidly addressing the realities of his age, proved his enduring vitality with a dynamic opening, captivating a sold-out audience for the 305th installment of the mammoth world tour.
The atmosphere was electric as Cheung, a member of the iconic “Four Heavenly Kings” of Cantopop, kicked off the evening with the reflective track, “Hold On to This Moment” (留住這時光). Emerging afterward in black leather attire accompanied by dancers, he propelled the energy higher with the lively “Ooh La La,” before ascending the roof of a vintage car to perform “Hero on the Road” (馬路英雄).
Balancing Classics with Candid Chats
Cheung seamlessly transitioned between high-octane spectacle and heartfelt classics, moving the crowd with ballads like “I Should” (我應該) and “Waiting Until My Heart Aches For You” (等你等到我心痛). Following the melancholic hit “I Really Am Hurt” (我真的受傷了), the singer greeted the crowd, offering a moment of characteristic wit.
“Hello, friends in Hong Kong!” Cheung joked. “I originally wanted to greet the friends in the nosebleeds, but the ‘peak’ is no longer the peak. So, those of you who bought tickets for the very front row are foolish—you can see just as well from the back, haha!”
He described hosting the tour’s grand finale in his home base of Hong Kong as a profoundly warm experience. “As long as I stand here, I feel like I am Jacky Cheung,” he said, warmly welcoming attendees to the tour’s landmark 305th performance.
The Resilience of a Veteran Performer
Sharing a humorous anecdote about the challenges of age, Cheung revealed that the entire touring orchestra and crew had just enjoyed a three-week hiatus. “I have a bad habit: I get sick when I rest,” he quipped. “First, I had to cure the cold I caught before the break. Then, I decided to play ball, and my lower back immediately locked up. Perhaps this is the ’60+ problem.'”
He added that he mistakenly believed 60 came with special discounts, only to realize most privileges begin at 65. “But I’m only a few months away from 65 now, haha!”
Addressing speculation about his future, Cheung acknowledged that his music has been a soundtrack for fans across 41 years. He confessed to frequently questioning whether each tour might be his last. “I wonder, and I fear, that this might be the last time. I felt that doubt during the last tour as well, but a few years later, here I am singing again.”
He emphatically dismissed any lingering doubt by dropping into a perfect splits, maintaining the pose for a moment before easily standing back up without assistance. “You can tell by how I was able to get up—last time, I had to crawl!” he laughed, assuring fans, “Don’t worry, I’m still here.”
A Romantic Tribute to the Touring Family
The encore section featured a powerful, high-calibre rendition of “Li Xiang Lan” (李香蘭). Cheung revealed that over the two-plus years of the extensive global journey, several members of the band, dancers, and backstage staff had met and married.
“A lot has happened over these two years—though none of it to me, of course,” he deadpanned. To celebrate the newlyweds, Cheung performed a special romantic medley, including the beloved tracks “You Are My Only Legend in This Life” (你是我今生唯一傳奇) and “Your Name Is My Surname” (你的名字我的姓氏).
The inaugural night of the “Hong Kong Final Chapter” concluded on a high note with his enduring global classic, “Goodbye Kiss” (吻別), leaving the audience with an indelible memory of one of Asia’s most enduring musical forces. The tour’s final run continues throughout the coming weeks, celebrating a career that transcends generations.
