HONG KONG — MIRROR member Ian Chan (Chen Zhuoxian) kicked off his nine-show solo concert series IAN CHAN GROWTH: LIVE 2026 on Wednesday evening at the Kai Tak Sports Park Arena, delivering a highly personal, orchestra-backed performance that opened with a synchronized countdown tied to his lucky number 23.
The number carries deep significance for the 31-year-old singer-songwriter. For months leading up to the residency, he released new music on the 23rd of each month. He scheduled opening night for July 23 and orchestrated a dramatic start: as a clock appeared on the stage screen, the sold-out crowd counted down to 8:23 p.m., the moment Chan made his entrance.
Titled “GROWTH,” the concert represents six months of planning and is described by Chan as a fully immersive journey through his own musical catalog. Each of the nine performances will feature a different theme, but all share the same ambitious production — a 50-piece orchestra backing the artist. Chan opened the show in a white suit with angel wings, performing “Whale Fall” as inflated whale balloons floated through the venue, enhancing the atmospheric setting.
The stage was designed as a massive T-shaped runway, fitted with multiple trapdoors and lifts that allowed the singer to “teleport” between sections, ensuring visibility for fans in every corner of the arena. Midway through the set, Chan reappeared in a military green suit studded with crystals, performing “Trees Will Cry” with theatrical flair before launching into a high-energy rendition of “Chisel.” Ten dancers joined him on stage, hoisting him into the air as pyrotechnics erupted, sending the crowd into a frenzy.
After a few songs, Chan paused to greet the audience with characteristic humor. He joked that during rehearsals he had practiced “drinking water” so fans would have more photo opportunities. Declaring himself a “Summer Boy” because of his July birthday, he noted that opening night’s theme was “Summer Nite” — fittingly coinciding with Dashu, or Major Heat, the 12th solar term on the Chinese lunar calendar, which marks the hottest period of the year.
“Is everyone hot?” Chan asked the audience, drawing cheers. “When we get to the fast songs later, feel free to stand up and dance. If you get too hot, I’m sure we can ask the venue to turn down the air conditioning. Don’t worry.”
Chan is the third member of the Cantopop supergroup MIRROR to mount a solo concert series at the new Kai Tak venue, following bandmates Anson Lo and Jer Lau. The residency comes amid a surge in live entertainment in Hong Kong, with the Kai Tak Sports Park emerging as a major hub for large-scale events.
The opening night performance underscored Chan’s evolution from boy-band star to a mature solo artist willing to take creative risks. With nightly rotating themes and full orchestral arrangements, the series is expected to draw tens of thousands of fans over its nine-night run, which continues through early August.
For fans unable to attend, related merchandise and a limited-edition photo book titled Growth: The Journey are available online. The concert series also sets the stage for speculation about Chan’s next studio album, which he has hinted may arrive before the end of the year.
