HONG KONG — Emerging Cantopop artist Arvin Tsang marked a milestone in his music career Sunday night with his first solo concert, “Lunatique,” at Macpherson Stadium, weaving together personal reflection, raw emotion and a tribute to the musical influences that shaped him.
The show opened with a poignant message on the big screen: “The future may be frightening, the past may be regrettable, but only the present can be grasped.” Tsang launched into his set with Real Object Disparity Association and Third Person, immediately establishing an intimate yet powerful atmosphere.
A Setlist Spanning Influences and Original Work
Throughout the evening, Tsang performed both his own compositions and covers of songs that shaped his musical journey. He delivered emotionally charged renditions of Eason Chan’s Man on the Moon, Under the Skirt, and Better Not to Meet, as well as Beyond’s Sound and Time is Running Out.
The concert featured live band accompaniment from local group Good Night Lily, whose high-energy band sound elevated the performance. Together, they covered Wong Kwan-chung’s Ah Bo II and Escape, bringing the audience to a fever pitch.
Tears for a Feline Muse
One of the evening’s most touching moments came during Tsang’s performance of Har Gow, a song named after his beloved cat. As he sang, the artist became visibly emotional, pausing to collect himself.
“I was sitting next to the couch, and the cat-shaped lamp reminded me of a cat silhouette,” Tsang said, his voice breaking. “I thought of a friend whose cat just passed away. I’m in better shape today than yesterday—during rehearsal I couldn’t sing it at all. Not everything gets a second chance, so we must cherish what we have. I hope everyone can be happy.”
A Message of Letting Go
After singing Sandy Lam’s Dawn, Tsang shared the concert’s core concept: releasing unnecessary anxieties.
“I’m afraid of many things, but fear is the most unprofitable emotion,” he told the audience. “If you’re afraid before something even happens, you’ll be afraid your whole life. I often ask myself what I’m really scared of. This show was delayed from its original date, but the rundown barely changed. Dawn is about spending an entire day in a room—whether you’re scared or regretful, the day still passes. The hardest thing in life is being at war with yourself. So when dawn breaks, lock all those distracting thoughts in the room and walk out.”
He closed the segment with The Sun Still Rises.
Nostalgic Encore in School Uniform
For his encore, Tsang changed into a white school shirt from his secondary school days—seven years old and covered in handwritten wishes from classmates. He performed Forest, explaining its significance.
“Why Forest? Because in secondary school, when I played in a band, our skill level meant we just played Forest over and over for five years,” he said. “My classmates are here tonight, and so is my music teacher, Mr. Yung. Do you remember that ten years ago on July 14, we competed right here at Macpherson? Without you, I don’t know if I’d still be singing.”
Pointing to the shirt, he added, “Can you see? It says ‘Return the Forest’ and ‘Hold a Concert’—and here we are! Thank you to my classmates for making this concert shirt seven years ago.”
Tsang acknowledged his tendency to be timid yet impulsive, often scolded by his mother for having a three-minute passion for things. “But singing is the one thing I’ve stuck with since secondary school,” he said.
Final Words of Encouragement
“I hope everyone finds something that makes you forget how hard life can be,” Tsang told the crowd. “During the pandemic, I was very unhappy for seven months. I didn’t leave home, my hair grew past my shoulders. This song gave me strength, and I hope it gives you strength too.”
As the concert concluded, the screen displayed: “The past mind has passed, the future mind has not yet arrived, the present mind does not dwell”—echoing the opening message and bringing the evening full circle.
Tsang’s debut concert marks a significant step for the rising artist, whose journey from school band competitions to a sold-out Macpherson Stadium reflects the power of persistence and the courage to embrace the present.
