Liveshow marks divo Tung Duong’s 20-year music journey

Vietnamese divo Tung Duong organised a liveshow at the National Convention Centre on November 25 night to celebrate his 20-year journey in music. Before the singer showed up on the stage, 4,000 spectators covered all the seats in the centre. Prior to the event, talking about his decision to hold the liveshow at the National Convention Centre, Tung Duong said: “When I want to have a concert in such a venue with a more significant audience, I first need to understand my natural ability. For the moment, I'm confident that I have 'an army' of loyal fans who follow every single step in my career.” (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Tung Duong’s fans from many provinces and centrally-run cities across the country flocked to the capital city of Hanoi on this occasion. They wanted to witness with their own eyes their favourite singer’s sublimation and creativity in the liveshow at the 4,000-seat National Convention Centre marking his 20-year career. “Year after year, my team and I used to organise and produce concerts that present my music style. My production team has won three Devotion Awards for the Liveshow of the Year, proving that we are always active and creative. We have been working hard and never stopped brainstorming to apply our creative ideas in all stages, from the central theme of a live show to sound and lighting effects, stage design, and repertoire. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

The liveshow was divided into four chapters and all songs performed at the event were remixed by music director Nguyen Huu Vuong. Tung Duong opened the liveshow with a mashup titled “Troi va Dat – Mang thai” (Heaven and Earth – Pregnancy) and then talked about himself with the connection of the past, present and future. He also performed a song composed by himself. “When I look back on my 20-year singing journey, there are so many memories I can never forget. It’s when the inspiration for the song Gieo Mam (Seed Sowing) flashed into my mind. This is the first time he has introduced the song “Gieo Mam”. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

In the first chapter of the liveshow, Tung Duong talked about chances that brought him to music since he was 12 years old. He mentioned the first time he had a family reunion with his parents in Russia and also the first time he performed on the stage, making overseas Vietnamese moved with the song “Em oi Ha Noi pho” composed by musician Phu Quang. Young singers such as Le Cat Trong Ly, Bui Lan Huong, and indie band Ngot were guests at his previous shows. This time, Tung Duong invited rapper Ha Le, Vietnam Idol winner Uyen Linh, and emerging singer To Loan. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Tung Duong paid tribute to late musician Tran Hoan who had previously said he was too thin to pursue the singing career but still introduced him to teacher Quang Tho and taught him to sing the songs “Em nghi gi khi mua Xuan den” (What do you think when Spring comes?) and “Duong xa tuyet trang” (Long road, white snow). “For most of my live shows, I also have two of my best friends, divas Thanh Lam and Ha Tran, whose friendship and experience have supported me a lot over the decades. While I have learnt a lot from those experienced friends, I can be inspired by the young ones, who always give me new energy thanks to their youth and talent.” (Photo: VietnamPlus)

With different genres of music and popular songs at present, the liveshow was really diverse. This also showed a great stride since Tung Duong began the singing career 20 years ago as he recognised the importance of balancing between the arts and the market’s demand. At the 16th Devotion Music Awards last year, Tung Duong once again dominated as he won three of the nine major categories. Specifically, Tung Duong won “Album of the Year” for his progressive rock album “Human”, “Music Show of the Year” for the “Human” liveshow, and “Singer of the Year” for his powerful and energetic performances and contributions to contemporary music. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

As a guest of the liveshow, Vietnam Idol winner Uyen Linh performed the song “Nguoi hat tinh ca” (The singer who sings love-songs). In his acceptance speech, he said such awards not only give him motivation but also inspire him to remain creative and reinvent himself. Human and human values are the inspiration for Tung Duong’s winning album. Entitled “Human”, the progressive rock is a concept album unified by the theme dedicated to Earthlings. “The lyrics of all the songs on the album are affiliated with a common theme – about humans. They are about the journey of humans in this world, since birth, through many ups and downs, before departing this life, and then waiting for the day to be reborn in a new form,” Duong said. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

After 10 years, Tung Duong and musician Le Minh Son stood on the stage together. Their joint performance with the song “Oi que toi” (My homeland) won the applause from the audiences. Tung Duong said he was grateful to musician Le Minh Son who helped him to produce the album “Chay tron” (Run away). Musician Le Minh Son described Tung Duong’s maturity as a miracle. Tung Duong revealed that the idea for the album came from a song by Duy Hung, who forwarded his lyrics to Duong for comment. “Unexpectedly, the song entitled Tri Tue Nhan Tao (Artificial Intelligence) provided me with a significant idea for my album. Besides, the song also offered me a hint to explore my ability to perform industrial rock and progressive rock,” he said. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Tung Duong touchedly embraced musician Le Minh Son tightly. The musician’s songs have helped the signer make a name himself in the music world since he was still in his twenties. Following the song by Hung, Tung Duong had also received a collection of new songs by young singer-songwriter Bui Caroon, which, according to the singer were “like a rain shower during a drought that satisfied all my high demands”. According to Duong, Human represents a youthful spirit as it features songs by a young generation of creative songwriters. In addition, the production team also consists of talented and young artists including orchestrator Huu Vuong and conductor Luu Quang Minh. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

At the liveshow, Tung Duong sang many hit songs that helped him succeed at the “Sao Mai diem hen” (Morning Star – Rendezvous). His singing voice was still strong, full of internal force, artful and magic and no longer “squirmed” but calmer and more mature. Since Tung Duong shot to fame by winning the country’s biggest singing competition “Sao Mai diem hen” in 2004, he has won over many music lovers by performing songs composed by “The Red River Four”, which refers to four big names of modern Vietnamese music – Pho Duc Phuong, Tran Tien, Duong Thu and Nguyen Cuong. “They have made significant contributions to Vietnamese music, and also played an important role in my career since the beginning. Thanks to their songs, audiences have come to know about me and given me special affection,” the singer said. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Tung Duong sang as a duo with diva Thanh Lam at the liveshow. “For most of my live shows, I also have two of my best friends, divas Thanh Lam and Ha Tran, whose friendship and experience have supported me a lot over the decades. While I have learnt a lot from those experienced friends, I can be inspired by the young ones, who always give me new energy thanks to their youth and talent. I don’t mind learning from those young singers who have created their image as multi-talented artists. They have their distinctive music style, so their performances have been and will add ‘different colours’ to my shows,” Tung Duong said before the event. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

The host singer also had a joint performance with female singer Tran Thu Ha (Ha Tran) who is current living in the US, with the song “Sac mau” (Colours). Previously, to promote the launch of the album “Human”, Tung Duong also held a two-night concert on November 28-29, 2020 to introduce some of the songs from the album. “A longtime friend of mine, Ha Tran didn’t hesitate to accept my invitation to perform at the concert, despite having to fly back to Vietnam and go into quarantine for two weeks,” Tung Duong said at the press conference introducing his album “Human”. At the concert, Duong performed some all-time favourites such as Oi Que Toi (My Homeland), Que Nha (Native Land) and Me Toi (My Mother). (Photo: VietnamPlus)

In the third chapter, Tung Duong surprised the audiences by covering several hit songs by young singers. He considered it as a “prelude” to make himself younger and woo more spectators. “A few years ago, it was confirmed that their parents had mainly heard my music. However, thanks to the cover of hit songs that are favourites of young people, I have accessed more audiences, especially the young. Instead of being upset, I chose to take action. I think if I was not active in learning about the taste of the young, I could not expect them to know about me and listen to my music. The number of young audiences listening to my music is increasing daily. I also have realised that I need to "rejuvenate" myself to stay fresh and energetic,” he said. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

The fourth chapter had the theme of “Interference and Nowadays”, Tung Duong showed off his opera singing skills when he sang the classic opera “The Phantom of the opera” together with leading opera singer Dao To Loan. At the 16th Devotion Music Awards last year, Tung Duong won three of the nine major categories, including “Album of the Year” for his progressive rock album “Human”, “Music Show of the Year” for the “Human” liveshow, and “Singer of the Year” for his powerful and energetic performances and contributions to contemporary music. The 39-year-old has so far taken home 13 prizes at the Devotion Music Awards. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Rapper Ha Le helped the modern and youthful colours of Tung Duong to be more prominent by jointly performing the song “Human” composed by Bui Caroon. In his already-released album “Human”, Tung Duong had also received a collection of new songs by young singer-songwriter Bui Caroon, which, according to the singer were “like a rain shower during a drought that satisfied all my high demands”. He revealed that the idea for the album came from a song entitled Tri Tue Nhan Tao (Artificial Intelligence) by Duy Hung, who forwarded his lyrics to Duong for comment. “All the songs I have received from these talented songwriters are the finest ‘ingredients’ for another concept album, following my previous releases including Chay Tron (Run Away), Nhung O Mau Khoi Lap Phuong (The Coloured Cubes), Li Ti (Tiny), and Doc Dao (Only Path).” (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Rapper Ha Le also had a solo performance with the song entitled “Khoi” (Smoke) composed by musician Khac Hung. Alongside songs by Duy Hung and Bui Caroon, the album “Human” also features six songs by HCM City-based Sa Huynh, who has worked with Duong on several music projects in recent years. According to Tung Duong, “Human” represents a youthful spirit as it features songs by a young generation of creative songwriters. The songs are also about mankind’s dreams to conquer the boundless universe, how people live in the era of technology, and how modern machines can dominate mankind. In addition, the production team also consists of talented and young artists including orchestrator Huu Vuong and conductor Luu Quang Minh. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

For the first time, singer Tung Duong brought to the stage the song “Gieo Mam” (Seed Sowing) composed on his own. “When I look back on my 20-year singing journey, there are so many memories I can never forget. It’s when the inspiration for the song “Gieo Mam” flashed into my mind. Like a tightrope acrobat who has to balance, the artist has to stand firm in any challenge and difficulty to receive applause. To be praised requires the artist’s effort and dedication to the utmost. He also needs to have great passion and determination. I don’t want to be a good singer only because an artist nowadays should be multi-talented.” (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Concluding the liveshow with the mashup “Con co-Chiec khan pieu-Oa oa”, Tung Duong seemed to imply the revival in his music career after 20 years of singing. That is still colourful Tung Duong but more popular. Duong said that his loyal fans understand his music’s motto, enjoy his music immensely, and never miss any of my concerts. The fact that all 4,000 tickets were sold out after one month has proved everything. I am overwhelmed by the love of my audience. I think sometimes you need to take risks to move forwards in your life. And that’s also the way a man should mature. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

"I don’t mind learning from those young singers who have created their image as multi-talented artists. They have their distinctive music style, so their performances have been and will add ‘different colours’ to my shows,” Tung Duong talked about his collaborations with the new guests. The song is among a repertoire of 30 songs that Duong will perform in a concert celebrating his 20-year journey in music. The live concert will take place on November 25 at the National Convention Centre. It's expected to have 4,000 audiences attend the event. In his career, Divo Tung Duong has so far taken home 13 prizes at the Devotion Music Awards. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

“Like a tightrope acrobat who has to balance, the artist has to stand firm in any challenge and difficulty to receive applause. To be praised requires the artist’s effort and dedication to the utmost. He also needs to have great passion and determination. I don’t want to be a good singer only because an artist nowadays should be multi-talented,” Tung Duong said before the liveshow,” said Duong, adding that “to say ‘I am ready’, I have to prepare very carefully. I'm a perfectionist who always knows what I want and how to satisfy my audience. The show next week is expected to be an amazing audio-visual feast”. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Speaking prior to the liveshow, Duong said “If my new song “Gieo Mam” is welcomed by the audience at next week's concert, I will spend more time writing other songs for myself. For me, composing is to test my abilities and evoke my hidden talent, not to become a composer. But who knows? First of all, I just keep trying”. "The large scale or the complex organisation of the concert never can challenge me, but how to overcome myself in music creativity. For me, the next show must be better than the previous ones," Duong said. Tung Duong, born in 1983, is a Vietnamese singer. He came to fame after the 2004 music contest Sao Mai diem hẹn, in which he won first place as ranked by the judges. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

Divo Tung Duong has so far taken home 13 prizes at the Devotion Music Awards. In 2021, Duong won three of the nine major categories, including “Album of the Year” for his progressive rock album “Human”, “Music Show of the Year” for the “Human” liveshow, and “Singer of the Year” for his powerful and energetic performances and contributions to contemporary music. The Devotion Music Awards were launched in 2004 by the The Thao & Van Hoa (Sports & Culture) newspaper of the Vietnam News Agency to promote Vietnamese music and honour artists who have made significant contributions to the industry. A ballot was held earlier on the same day with about 100 reporters casting their votes to choose the winners in the nine categories. (Photo: VietnamPlus)