Acclaimed Taiwanese singer-actress Rene Liu, often known as “Milk Tea,” inaugurated the new year in Beijing by performing an unprecedented five consecutive shows at the city’s Capital Indoor Stadium, culminating in the city’s first-ever large-scale New Year’s Eve concert on December 31. The landmark performance, part of her “Flying Day” World Tour 4.0, marked both her 104th show on the current tour and her 200th career solo performance, solidifying a significant milestone in her nearly three-decade-long career and offering fans a rare opportunity to share the countdown with the artist after a ten-year hiatus from year-end events in the region.
Liu embraced the momentous occasion, beginning the highly anticipated show—the first of the five-show run dedicated to the New Year’s celebration—emerging in a striking “Flying Wings” ensemble. Accompanied by 12 dancers, she transformed the venue into a vibrant carnival, performing hits such as “The Prime of Life” and “Speaking.” Addressing the collective energy of the crowd, Liu expressed deep gratitude. “Thank you for choosing to spend the New Year’s transition with us,” she said. “In this last moment of the year, you are here with us. Tonight, we will sing this year to a close together.”
The “Flying Day” tour stop introduced new elements to the setlist. Liu debuted the song “The Passages of Time are Peaceful and Well,” offering a reflection on the simple joys of everyday happiness. The subsequent January 1st performance introduced “How Stupid,” a song where she encouraged listeners to look inward and avoid sacrificing personal truth to meet others’ expectations. The elaborate stage design featured a rotating five-meter-tall mechanical bear alongside dancers portraying various whimsical figures, including long-armed apes, elephants, peacocks, and dandelions, creating a visually rich, dreamlike atmosphere.
During the New Year’s Eve countdown, Liu led the audience and band in a collective cheer, celebrating the precise moment the clock struck midnight. “We are truly together in this first second, and that makes me so happy!” she exclaimed. “This is the first minute of a new day, and we are together. I hope we really can continue to see each other often!”
Embracing the celebratory mood, Liu humorously suggested turning the concert into a massive karaoke session, dubbing it a “KTV Lung Capacity Contest for Immediate Success.” She delivered an extensive, spontaneous medley of 11 classics—songs usually reserved for fan request segments—including notable tracks like “Light,” “The Price of Love,” and “Do You Know or Not.” The impromptu session ignited a massive singalong, further highlighting the unique bond between the artist and her fervent fanbase.
Reflecting on the importance of the night, Liu emphasized the singularity of the shared experience. “If a person lives to be 100, this New Year’s will be that one percent—absolutely unique,” she stated. She framed the evening not as an ending but as a transition, handing off the old year and welcoming the new. “Tomorrow may be the return to reality, but remember that we were crazy together, we sang loudly together. The sound of today will illuminate every day of the future.”
Liu’s historic run showcased the enduring power of live performance and set a new benchmark for major concert programming during the critical holiday period in the Chinese capital, demonstrating the artist’s continued relevance and commercial draw.
