HONG KONG – Legendary Cantopop singer Alan Tam launched the final leg of his “Unforgettable” world tour Monday night, delivering a marathon performance that mixed high-energy dance numbers with heartfelt moments as he celebrated more than 40 years on stage.
The 74-year-old Hong Kong icon kicked off the first of 10 scheduled shows at the Hong Kong Coliseum, having rehearsed a massive repertoire of 200 songs to satisfy his devoted fan base. The concert, titled “Alan Tam and You ‘Unforgettable’ World Tour – Final Chapter,” was designed as a sweeping retrospective of his career.
Tam opened the evening with early classics, riding a golf cart around the arena to perform the ballad “Belated Spring.” He then shifted gears with a vigorous dance sequence for the fast-paced hit “Assassin,” drawing roars from the audience. The nearly every song became a full-arena singalong, with fans belting out lyrics alongside their idol.
Emotional High Point
The most poignant moment came during “The Love of a Lifetime,” when Tam was moved to tears. The crowd responded by chanting his nickname, “Alan,” for several minutes. Regaining composure, he addressed the audience: “To have such wonderful fans supporting me for so many years—you really are incredible. More than 40 years ago, I stood on this very stage. So many things have changed since then, but the one thing that hasn’t changed is you. Thank you.”
After performing “Don’t Say Goodbye,” Tam again thanked his fans, comparing their support to watering a plant. “Without your continuous care, I wouldn’t have the nutrients to grow and thrive,” he said. “I will treasure this always.”
No Encore, But a Party Instead
In a departure from concert tradition, Tam announced there would be no encore. “The formal show is over, but the happy party continues as long as you want,” he said with a laugh. Fans immediately rose to their feet, dancing and singing along to hits like “You Know I Know.” Tam also debuted a new song, “I Care,” which he composed and which features lyrics written by Andy Lau and Hacken Lee.
Surprise Guest: Hacken Lee
Midway through the evening, Tam invited longtime collaborator Hacken Lee, who had been watching from the audience, to the stage. An emotional Lee admitted, “I’ve never cried so many times watching a concert in my life.” Speaking directly to Tam, he added: “On behalf of every fan here tonight, I thank you for giving us so many wonderful songs over the years. Eric Tsang was sitting in front of me—we were both in tears the entire time.”
The two embraced warmly. Tam noted Lee’s dual role as singer and television host, saying, “He has to stay composed when he’s hosting, but tonight he let his emotions show. Many of these songs hold personal meaning for him because we’ve performed them together in our ‘Left and Right’ tours.” Lee recalled watching Tam’s earlier shows from the audience, describing a particularly vivid memory: “When you sang ‘The Source of Love’ and the line ‘Close my eyes, it feels like yesterday’ came, the entire Coliseum lit up—it was breathtaking.” They then performed a duet of “Friends.”
Finale: Two Classic Farewells
Closing the main set, Tam performed the obligatory farewell anthem “Hard to Say Goodbye” before addressing the crowd one last time. “Tonight was truly too moving—truly unforgettable,” he said. He then introduced what he called the last song of the night, a piece he described as deeply meaningful: “This song took me to every Chinese community around the world. It’s the one that made people know me—’Love in Autumn.'”
Broader Impact
Tam’s “Final Chapter” tour marks the culmination of a career spanning five decades and more than 130 albums. The 10-show run in Hong Kong reflects the enduring popularity of the city’s Cantopop golden era, even as the music industry has shifted dramatically. For fans, the concerts serve as a collective farewell to a generation of stars who defined Hong Kong’s cultural identity. Many in the audience were likely remembering—and reliving—their own youth. As Tam himself acknowledged, the only thing that truly hasn’t changed is the loyalty of the people who filled the Coliseum night after night, year after year.
