A major tribute concert honoring the 70th birthday of the late Hong Kong pop icon Leslie Cheung will take place on Sept. 12 at the West Kowloon Cultural District’s AXA Sun Plaza, with ticket pre-orders opening from now until Aug. 10. Organizers announced that proceeds, after essential expenses, will be used to establish a long-term Leslie Cheung memorial museum and a bronze statue of the legendary singer and actor.
The event, titled “Continue to Love Leslie Cheung 70th Birthday Concert,” was detailed by project promoter Florence Chan, CEO of Tien Sing Entertainment, in a recent interview with Cheng Dan‑shui on the program “Health Dan HiEggo.” Chan addressed the venue choice, which departs from the traditional Hong Kong Coliseum.
Why Not the Coliseum? Copyright Concerns Drive No-Streaming Decision
“I have been applying for the Coliseum since last year, but many others are also competing for dates,” Chan explained. “Unfortunately, we could not secure it. That is beyond my control, and I hope fans will understand. Since Sept. 12 falls on a Saturday, most indoor venues were booked long ago. Luckily, we were able to rent the AXA Sun Plaza at West Kowloon, which has hosted large outdoor events before.”
Unlike the 2023 tribute concert marking the 20th anniversary of Cheung’s death, this year’s event will not be livestreamed. Chan cited unresolved copyright issues with online broadcasts of video clips featuring Cheung. “In 2023, we streamed the concert, but when we played footage of ‘Gor Gor’ (Cheung’s nickname) on site, some clips were incomplete due to web copyright restrictions. This year, we want to present as many precious images of him as possible, so we decided to skip a live broadcast.”
Drone Spectacle Planned for 9:12 PM
Chan revealed she is actively securing permission for a special outdoor-only segment designed to surprise audiences. “I hope that at exactly 9:12 p.m. on the night of the concert, we can launch 1,956 drones,” she said. “They would form seven patterns in the sky to celebrate Leslie Cheung’s 70th birthday, making the memorial even more meaningful.” The number 1956 refers to Cheung’s birth year. Chan noted she is currently applying for the necessary licenses and hopes to overcome technical hurdles. If the drone display is confirmed, organizers may open that segment for global fans to watch remotely.
Leslie Cheung, a pillar of Hong Kong’s entertainment industry during the 1980s and 1990s, died by suicide in 2003 at age 46. His legacy endures through iconic films such as “Farewell My Concubine” and timeless Cantopop hits. The Sept. 12 concert is expected to draw thousands of devoted fans from across Asia and the world.
Ticket pre-orders are available now through official channels. Fans can anticipate a night of music, rare footage, and—if approvals align—a breathtaking drone tribute over Victoria Harbour, cementing Cheung’s enduring place in popular culture.
