https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/rss/325500/feed Latest music news, features and opinion covering all musical genres from rock, dance, rap, hip hop and K-pop to Western classical and Chinese opera. en https://assets-v2.i-scmp.com/production/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg Charmaine Yu Charmaine Yu “Nowadays, we have people listening to AI pop singers,” Chinese-American composer Huang Ruo says during a talk on music and culture in Hong Kong. “They sing so beautifully, but it’s not real. So I do believe theatre and opera are the last dance of humanity.” The 50-year-old New York-based conductor and pianist behind acclaimed cross-cultural operatic projects M. Butterfly (2022) and The Monkey King (2025) made further impassioned statements about performing arts in the modern world. “Seriously,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/arts/article/3371875/composer-huang-ruo-why-opera-last-dance-humanity-and-his-hong-kong-show https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/arts/article/3371875/composer-huang-ruo-why-opera-last-dance-humanity-and-his-hong-kong-show Sat, 24 Oct 2026 08:15:05 +0000 Lisa Cam Lisa Cam This is the 88th instalment in a biweekly series profiling major Hong Kong pop culture figures of recent decades. With her signature polka dot gowns, umbrella skirts and velvet-deep contralto voice that defied the high-pitched norms of her era, Paula Tsui Siu-fung did not just become a Cantopop superstar; she defined the very archetype of the Hong Kong diva. Over a career spanning more than five decades, her record-shattering live performances and unprecedented album sales have cemented her... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3371486/how-cantopop-diva-paula-tsui-defined-era-her-contralto-voice-and-polka-dot-dresses https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3371486/how-cantopop-diva-paula-tsui-defined-era-her-contralto-voice-and-polka-dot-dresses Thu, 22 Oct 2026 23:15:06 +0000 Sumnima Kandangwa Sumnima Kandangwa Clint Black and Lisa Hartman Black celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary on October 20 this year. The country music singer and actress met backstage at Black’s concert on New Year’s Eve in 1990 and tied the knot several months later in 1991. “We strongly believe in communicating,” Hartman told Fox News when asked about the secret behind her long-lasting marriage. “It sounds so simple, but you really, really have to talk everything through. Roy Rogers said to Clint, ‘One piece of advice:... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3371725/meet-lily-pearl-black-daughter-country-singer-clint-black-and-actress-lisa-hartman https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3371725/meet-lily-pearl-black-daughter-country-singer-clint-black-and-actress-lisa-hartman Thu, 22 Oct 2026 22:00:08 +0000 Sumnima Kandangwa Sumnima Kandangwa South Korean songstress Ejae, who found global fame after lending her voice to Netflix’s 2025 animated film, KPop Demon Hunters, recently tied the knot with her long-time partner, Samuel Kim, on October 17. Ejae, whose real name is Kim Eun-jae, wore a custom Danielle Frankel bridal gown for the ceremony, while her groom wore a classic tuxedo by Bhambi, a New York City-based custom tailor. The newlyweds’ nuptials were featured in Vogue and were reportedly held at Stage 28 in Seoul’s Gangdong... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3371638/kpop-demon-hunters-ejae-weds-samuel-kim-seoul-what-do-we-know-about-him https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3371638/kpop-demon-hunters-ejae-weds-samuel-kim-seoul-what-do-we-know-about-him Thu, 22 Oct 2026 02:07:43 +0000 Faye Bradley Faye Bradley Mariah Carey has just won a dismissal in a US$20 million defamation lawsuit filed by her brother, Morgan Carey, over her 2020 memoir, The Meaning of Mariah Carey. The “Emotions” singer’s estranged brother sued her back in 2021, claiming that she lied about him in her book where she alleged that Morgan – whom she refers to as an “ex-brother” – was violent in the family and dealt drugs in the 1980s. “More often, I felt I had to protect myself from him, and sometimes I would find myself protecting... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3371587/mariah-carey-wins-dismissal-us20m-defamation-lawsuit-filed-brother-morgan-so-who-he https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3371587/mariah-carey-wins-dismissal-us20m-defamation-lawsuit-filed-brother-morgan-so-who-he Wed, 21 Oct 2026 06:58:34 +0000 Sumnima Kandangwa Sumnima Kandangwa Tobey Maguire’s ex-wife Jennifer Meyer married Geoffrey Ogunlesi on October 10, less than a month after she finalised her divorce from the Spider-Man star, from whom she separated a decade ago. Meyer and Ogunlesi held their wedding at the Four Seasons Resort Lanai in Hawaii and exchanged vows in front of A-list guests including Courteney Cox, Leonardo DiCaprio, Vittoria Ceretti, Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos. Tobey Maguire officiates the wedding of his ex-wife and her new husband, a... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3371161/meet-geoffrey-ogunlesi-who-just-married-tobey-maguires-ex-wife-jennifer-meyer https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3371161/meet-geoffrey-ogunlesi-who-just-married-tobey-maguires-ex-wife-jennifer-meyer Sat, 17 Oct 2026 10:00:09 +0000 Aisyah Llewellyn Aisyah Llewellyn Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga each chose Singapore as their only Southeast Asian stop on recent world tours. Fellow American singer Olivia Rodrigo played Thailand and the Philippines, but likewise skipped Indonesia. Next weekend, however, Jakarta is finally getting the big international headline act it has been craving – in the form of Ye. The controversial American rapper, formerly known as Kanye West, is set to play Indonesia’s capital next Saturday, marking the only Southeast Asian appearance on... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3371180/shunned-west-ye-hands-indonesia-rare-mega-tour-coup https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3371180/shunned-west-ye-hands-indonesia-rare-mega-tour-coup Sat, 17 Oct 2026 04:00:09 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Sean “Diddy” Combs has been moved to a federal prison in Pennsylvania after reports that the hip-hop mogul was living the high life and was injured in a fight at his New Jersey lock-up, a person familiar with the matter said on Friday. The federal Bureau of Prisons is transferring Combs, 56, from FCI Fort Dix to FCI Allenwood Low, a low-security facility south of Williamsport and about 250km (155 miles) west of New York, the person said. The person was not authorised to speak publicly and did so... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3371215/sean-diddy-combs-moved-new-prison-after-reports-luxury-lifestyle-behind-bars https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3371215/sean-diddy-combs-moved-new-prison-after-reports-luxury-lifestyle-behind-bars Fri, 16 Oct 2026 21:55:02 +0000 Reuters Reuters A former gang leader was sentenced to 40 years to life in prison on Tuesday for orchestrating the 1996 drive-by shooting death of hip-hop star Tupac Shakur in Las Vegas, capping the prosecution of a long-unsolved murder that shaped the golden age of rap music. Duane “Keffe D” Davis, 63, found guilty of first-degree murder in August, received the penalty during ‌a hearing in a Las Vegas courtroom. Until Davis’ 2023 arrest, the killing of Shakur, shot dead in the passenger seat of an SUV driven by... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3370784/tupac-shakur-murder-ex-gang-leader-sentenced-40-years-life-prison https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3370784/tupac-shakur-murder-ex-gang-leader-sentenced-40-years-life-prison Tue, 13 Oct 2026 19:34:52 +0000 Zabrina Lo Zabrina Lo When Hong Kong’s Jumbo Floating Restaurant capsized and sank in the South China Sea in 2022, social media users lamented the loss of a culinary icon. Some tongue-in-cheek proposals called for it to be transformed into an underwater restaurant or diving sanctuary. No salvage operation or documentary project has materialised, leaving the fate of the wreck a lingering mystery. That sense of loss, nostalgia and imagination surrounding Hong Kong’s vanished and disappearing landmarks anchored City... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/arts/article/3370575/jumbo-floating-restaurant-neon-nostalgia-aplenty-hong-kong-art-tech-show https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/arts/article/3370575/jumbo-floating-restaurant-neon-nostalgia-aplenty-hong-kong-art-tech-show Tue, 13 Oct 2026 13:15:04 +0000 Ishani Sarkar Ishani Sarkar Jessica Simpson seems to be cosying up to her rumoured new beau. On October 5, TMZ reported that the 46-year-old singer and actress was spotted enjoying a Sunday morning walk at Albuquerque’s Balloon Fiesta Park with 33-year-old musician Thomas Eisenhood, whom she was first linked to in April. According to TMZ, the pair had been dating for roughly three months when the outlet broke the news in April. A source confirmed the relationship to People, adding, “[Simpson is] happy. She’s in a great... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3370309/meet-thomas-eisenhood-jessica-simpsons-rumoured-new-boyfriend https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3370309/meet-thomas-eisenhood-jessica-simpsons-rumoured-new-boyfriend Sat, 10 Oct 2026 22:00:08 +0000 Sumnima Kandangwa Sumnima Kandangwa Amid online backlash over his recent comments on female influencers, Pete Davidson is getting called out by singer-songwriter Olivia O’Brien, who labelled the Saturday Night Live alum “an absolute joke of a human being”. During an interview with Variety, Davidson mocked influencers and said that he finds the career path “insane” and “lame”. The comedian went on to specifically target female influencers. “It’s bad, and it makes me sad, you know,” Davidson said in the interview. “And girls are... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3370368/meet-singer-olivia-obrien-who-just-called-pete-davidson-absolute-joke-human-being https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3370368/meet-singer-olivia-obrien-who-just-called-pete-davidson-absolute-joke-human-being Sat, 10 Oct 2026 11:00:09 +0000 Sumnima Kandangwa Sumnima Kandangwa Briley King, who is married to country musician Marcus King and has been labelled “country music’s most hated wife”, announced in September that she was hard-launching her own music career. After occasionally joining her husband on stage for a few couple duets, Briley debuted her first release, Huswife, on September 17, which includes her debut songs “Bad Guy” and “Keepin’ Caroline”. Unfortunately, her foray into the music scene has not been well received by many who have flooded Briley’s... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3370282/who-briley-king-marcus-kings-wife-dubbed-country-musics-most-hated https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3370282/who-briley-king-marcus-kings-wife-dubbed-country-musics-most-hated Fri, 09 Oct 2026 20:00:13 +0000 Sumnima Kandangwa Sumnima Kandangwa Halle Berry’s daughter Nahla Aubry has come to her mother’s defence after the actress was accused of physically abusing her 13-year-old son Maceo by her ex-husband Olivier Martinez. Martinez, who finalised his divorce from Berry in 2023 after an eight-year-long legal battle, filed a temporary restraining order last week against his ex-wife and accused her of choking Maceo. According to court documents obtained by Page Six, Martinez claims that Berry “jumped” on Maceo and “started physically... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3370270/meet-halle-berrys-daughter-nahla-aubry-who-defended-actress-against-abuse-allegations https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3370270/meet-halle-berrys-daughter-nahla-aubry-who-defended-actress-against-abuse-allegations Fri, 09 Oct 2026 10:00:09 +0000 Charmaine Yu Charmaine Yu This is the 87th instalment in a biweekly series profiling major Hong Kong pop culture figures of recent decades. For Hong Kong’s culture enthusiasts, sitting just a few seats away from Anthony Wong Yiu-ming at an art-house film screening or standing steps from him at an underground gig has long been a serendipitous staple of the city’s arts scene. He is legendary for his ubiquitous presence as an ordinary spectator. Beyond his genuine enthusiasm as a fellow audience member, the 64-year-old... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3369981/how-cantopop-pioneer-and-avid-arts-lover-anthony-wong-yiu-ming-shaped-hong-kong-culture https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3369981/how-cantopop-pioneer-and-avid-arts-lover-anthony-wong-yiu-ming-shaped-hong-kong-culture Thu, 08 Oct 2026 23:15:05 +0000 Ashlyn Chak Ashlyn Chak US singer-songwriters Hayley Williams and Keshi have been announced as co-headlining acts for Clockenflap 2026, Hong Kong’s biggest music and arts festival taking place from December 4 to 6. Williams, who became a prominent voice in the 2000s as the frontwoman of pop-punk band Paramore, made a triumphant return last year with her single “True Believer”, a critique of religion-based capitalism and politics in the United States. Born in the US state of Mississippi, Williams formed Paramore in... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3370065/clockenflap-2026-hayley-williams-keshi-malcolm-todd-unveiled-hong-kong-festival https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3370065/clockenflap-2026-hayley-williams-keshi-malcolm-todd-unveiled-hong-kong-festival Wed, 07 Oct 2026 10:50:26 +0000 Sumnima Kandangwa Sumnima Kandangwa Country music star Luke Bryan’s son Bo Bryan is making headlines for his skills on the gridiron as quarterback, after he scored six touchdowns and led Battle Ground Academy to a 41-36 victory against Franklin Road Academy on September 25. “Well, just super impressed. Obviously, crosstown rival, big rival, big game. His senior year. You know, he’s learning as he goes,” Luke Bryan told USA Today about his son’s performance after the game. “I mean, everything that happens to him this year is the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3369876/meet-bo-bryan-country-star-luke-bryans-high-school-quarterback-son https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3369876/meet-bo-bryan-country-star-luke-bryans-high-school-quarterback-son Tue, 06 Oct 2026 10:00:08 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press A former music pastor in Ohio who appeared briefly on American Idol was sentenced Monday to life in prison without the possibility of parole, after a jury convicted him last week of murdering his wife while he was having an affair. The judge said Caleb Flynn, 40, used his Christian faith to manipulate others and showed no remorse for actions marked by “layers of deceit, manipulation and cruelty”. With tears rolling down his cheeks, Flynn apologised to his family just before being sentenced,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3369840/former-american-idol-singer-caleb-flynn-sentenced-life-prison-wifes-murder https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3369840/former-american-idol-singer-caleb-flynn-sentenced-life-prison-wifes-murder Mon, 05 Oct 2026 20:52:23 +0000 Ishani Sarkar Ishani Sarkar Pop superstar Taylor Swift just won big at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards. At the event held on September 27, she took home the inaugural Artist Director Honors, as well as prizes for Video of the Year for “The Fate of Ophelia” and Best Direction for “Opalite”, setting a record for most VMAs won with 33 trophies. She also premiered the star-studded music video for “Patient Zero” at the VMAs. Just two days before the big night, legendary rock musician Todd Rundgren, 78, tore into the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3369324/meet-legendary-rocker-todd-rundgren-who-said-taylor-swift-ruined-music https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3369324/meet-legendary-rocker-todd-rundgren-who-said-taylor-swift-ruined-music Wed, 30 Sep 2026 11:00:11 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press A former Ohio music pastor who once appeared on American Idol was convicted of murder on Tuesday in the killing of his wife while he was having an affair. Prosecutors said Caleb Flynn, 40, staged a home invasion in February after shooting his wife, Ashley Flynn, a 37-year-old teacher and volleyball coach. Flynn, who claimed his wife was killed by a burglar, could get up to life in prison without the chance of parole when he’s sentenced on Monday. Flynn closed his eyes, shook his head to the side... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3369260/ex-american-idol-singer-caleb-flynn-convicted-fatally-shooting-his-wife https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3369260/ex-american-idol-singer-caleb-flynn-convicted-fatally-shooting-his-wife Tue, 29 Sep 2026 23:32:53 +0000 Ishani Sarkar Ishani Sarkar A Taylor Swift music video is never complete without Easter eggs. When the pop superstar debuted the “Patient Zero” music video at the MTV Video Music Awards on September 27, fans were treated to a treasure trove of references and celebrity cameos. One of the familiar faces that popped up was Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, who was joined by his wife, Kelly Stafford. The two weren’t at the VMAs – the Rams were playing the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3369206/meet-matthew-stafford-nfl-star-featured-taylor-swifts-patient-zero-music-video https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3369206/meet-matthew-stafford-nfl-star-featured-taylor-swifts-patient-zero-music-video Tue, 29 Sep 2026 11:00:10 +0000 Christopher Halls Christopher Halls Georges Bizet’s Carmen is not the only 19th century piece of music crammed with Spanish flair and flavour. A month before the March 1875 premiere of Bizet’s southern Spain-set opera came fellow French composer Edouard Lalo’s Symphonie Espagnole – a brilliant five-movement fiesta for violin and orchestra written for the legendary Spanish violinist, conductor and composer Pablo de Sarasate. Seduction was the word du jour for Hong Kong Sinfonietta’s concert centrepiece on September 26, when... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/arts/article/3369131/violin-virtuoso-kevin-zhu-joins-hong-kong-sinfonietta-evening-full-spanish-flair https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/arts/article/3369131/violin-virtuoso-kevin-zhu-joins-hong-kong-sinfonietta-evening-full-spanish-flair Tue, 29 Sep 2026 07:15:06 +0000 Ashlyn Chak Ashlyn Chak The grimy basements of underground punk music and the pristine white walls of contemporary art galleries are usually opposing forces of the creative world, but to Janice Laujan – the screaming, growling frontwoman of Hong Kong cult band David Boring – they are simply different mediums through which she gets to “have a public breakdown”. “Performance is the only time I can be completely honest about something and project a very intense part of my personality,” says the Hong Kong artist. “It’s... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/arts/article/3368266/hong-kong-rocker-janice-laujan-her-dark-disturbing-tender-debut-art-show https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/arts/article/3368266/hong-kong-rocker-janice-laujan-her-dark-disturbing-tender-debut-art-show Sun, 27 Sep 2026 08:15:05 +0000 Charmaine Yu Charmaine Yu “I’m not trying to be a flirt, like in my twenties,” American singer-songwriter Jason Mraz says, laughing. “I’m almost 50, and that’s not the vibe I’m putting out on stage any more.” It has been seven years since Mraz performed at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre as part of his “Good Vibes” Asia tour. Since that visit in 2019, Mraz has kept himself agile, releasing the full-length reggae record Look for the Good (2020), embracing disco-pop on the 2023 album Mystical Magical... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3368769/nearly-50-jason-mraz-genre-shifting-living-moment-and-done-flirting https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3368769/nearly-50-jason-mraz-genre-shifting-living-moment-and-done-flirting Sun, 27 Sep 2026 04:45:05 +0000 Ishani Sarkar Ishani Sarkar Grammy-nominated singer Sombr, who has released popular tracks including “Back to Friends”, “Undressed” and “12 to 12” is hitting back against nepo baby allegations. The 21-year-old, whose real name is Shane Michael Boose, recently spoke to Elle magazine, addressing speculation that his parents’ connections helped him advance in the music industry. For the uninitiated, Sombr’s mother, Bennah Serfaty, is the senior director of communications at amfAR, aka The Foundation for Aids Research. His... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3368743/meet-sombrs-parents-bennah-serfaty-and-andy-boose-12-12-singer-claps-back-nepo-baby-claims https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3368743/meet-sombrs-parents-bennah-serfaty-and-andy-boose-12-12-singer-claps-back-nepo-baby-claims Fri, 25 Sep 2026 06:14:57 +0000 Quentin Parker Quentin Parker More than three years ago, I articulated concerns regarding the existential threat of artificial intelligence in a piece entitled “How Hong Kong can play a role in preventing AI Armageddon”. There is an increasing number of articles about exactly this. Here I concentrate on a more insidious encroachment on our humanity – how AI is capturing our creative expression and replacing us in a way that is making it harder to discern what is creatively human. As a scientist, my inclination is to filter... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/world-opinion/article/3368408/dont-let-ai-take-over-our-human-creative-expression https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/world-opinion/article/3368408/dont-let-ai-take-over-our-human-creative-expression Thu, 24 Sep 2026 12:30:14 +0000 Sheryl Chow Sheryl Chow Comprising 100 performers, led by conductor Yan Huichang, “Thousand Reeds, One Universe” was both the beginning and the end. The concert on September 20 was the conclusion of the International Sheng and Reeds Festival 2026 and a successful commencement of the 2026/27 season of the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra (HKCO). Continuing the vision of the festival to forge a borderless world in harmony, the concert brought together a family of reed instruments from around China and the world, including the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/arts/article/3368507/traditional-wind-instruments-both-east-and-west-blow-storm-hong-kong-concert https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/arts/article/3368507/traditional-wind-instruments-both-east-and-west-blow-storm-hong-kong-concert Thu, 24 Sep 2026 10:15:07 +0000 Ishani Sarkar Ishani Sarkar Country music star Ella Langley is choosing love. The 27-year-old singer, whose hit song “Choosin’ Texas” has spent 23 weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100, breaking Mariah Carey’s record for “All I Want for Christmas Is You”, is reportedly dating fellow country musician Tucker Wetmore, per TMZ. According to the outlet, the pair have been together for a while now and were recently spotted spending some “You & Me Time” in Nashville after leaving the Nashville Songwriter Awards together. Langley took... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3368635/meet-tucker-wetmore-choosin-texas-singer-ella-langleys-rumoured-boyfriend https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3368635/meet-tucker-wetmore-choosin-texas-singer-ella-langleys-rumoured-boyfriend Thu, 24 Sep 2026 08:35:24 +0000 Zabrina Lo Zabrina Lo Global theatre producer Crossroads Live UK has announced a worldwide recruitment drive for wigs, lighting and automation roles ahead of an upcoming multi-year world tour of the hit musical Hamilton. According to Crossroads Live’s website, the production “will visit a multitude of territories, starting in Asia in late 2026”, with salaries for the roles to be “discussed upon offer”. Meanwhile, recent social media posts appeared to show screenshots of a Hamilton website listing performance dates in... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/arts/article/3368600/could-hit-musical-hamilton-be-coming-hong-kong-2027 https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/arts/article/3368600/could-hit-musical-hamilton-be-coming-hong-kong-2027 Thu, 24 Sep 2026 04:52:56 +0000 Bloomberg Bloomberg Thailand’s teenage guitar sensation Nene Royal won the US$1 million top prize on America’s Got Talent, capping a viral run that made the 16-year-old a national celebrity and drew support from across her home country. Rattikarn Amloy, better known by her stage name Nene Royal, was crowned the winner during Wednesday’s live results show, beating nine other finalists after emerging as the clear favourite before the finale. During Tuesday’s final, she sang and played guitar on a rendition of “Seven... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3368601/thailands-nene-royal-wins-americas-got-talent-pocketing-us1-million https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3368601/thailands-nene-royal-wins-americas-got-talent-pocketing-us1-million Thu, 24 Sep 2026 04:34:41 +0000 Sumnima Kandangwa Sumnima Kandangwa Bryan Seaver, nephew of the late country icon Dolly Parton, has been fired from his role as her head of security after more than two decades. According to a termination letter obtained by TMZ, Seaver and his security companies were “immediately dismissed” from all of his aunt’s properties. The notice was reportedly issued the same day replacement guards took over at Parton’s properties. Seaver and his team have told TMZ that they were “dismayed by the unexpected and, so far, unexplained... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3368508/meet-bryan-seaver-late-dolly-partons-nephew-accused-extorting-her-estate https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3368508/meet-bryan-seaver-late-dolly-partons-nephew-accused-extorting-her-estate Wed, 23 Sep 2026 11:00:11 +0000 Zabrina Lo Zabrina Lo Mongolia and heavy metal are rarely mentioned in the same sentence, but folk metal band Uuhai are here to prove the music genre fuses surprisingly well with the nomadic culture’s distinctive vocal and instrumental traditions. Founded in the Mongolian capital Ulaanbaatar in 2020 by drummer and producer Otgonbaatar “Ombo” Damba, the band’s current line-up features Damba, Khurtsgerel Damiranjav (horsehead fiddler and vocalist), Zorigoo Battsooj (horsehead fiddler and throat singer), Saruul... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/arts/article/3368469/metal-meets-mongolian-throat-singing-and-instruments-uuhais-hong-kong-debut https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/arts/article/3368469/metal-meets-mongolian-throat-singing-and-instruments-uuhais-hong-kong-debut Wed, 23 Sep 2026 10:15:06 +0000 Ushar Daniele Ushar Daniele Kuala Lumpur is making it easier and cheaper to bring international music stars to the city, hoping that a bigger concert calendar can help Malaysia capture more of Southeast Asia’s booming live-music economy. But as more global acts come to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian musicians are asking whether the concert boom is creating more opportunities for local artists too. Fuad Alhabshi of Malaysian rock band Kyoto Protocol said local bands once routinely benefited when major international acts came... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3368456/malaysias-local-acts-feel-left-out-live-music-boom-missing-middle https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3368456/malaysias-local-acts-feel-left-out-live-music-boom-missing-middle Wed, 23 Sep 2026 04:03:02 +0000 Sumnima Kandangwa Sumnima Kandangwa Country musician Riley Green, who is known for hits like “I Wish Grandpas Never Died” and “Worst Way”, just made his debut as a coach on the latest season of The Voice. Alongside Green, Queen Latifah has also been announced as the show’s newest addition. The two newcomers join returning coaches Kelly Clarkson and Adam Levine for Season 30 of the NBC singing competition. Amid news of Green’s latest career move, it is his love life – specifically his speculated romance and feud with Megan Moroney... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3368394/look-back-country-star-and-voice-coach-riley-greens-romantic-history https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3368394/look-back-country-star-and-voice-coach-riley-greens-romantic-history Tue, 22 Sep 2026 22:00:11 +0000 SCMP Style Reporter SCMP Style Reporter Few objects carry the cultural weight of the Chinese drum. Its sound has long marked moments of ceremony and celebration, from ancient rituals to family gatherings, where its rhythm has come to signify harmony, prosperity and shared joy. For Chow Tai Fook, the drum now finds a new expression in gold and diamonds with Song, a collection that translates one of China’s most enduring symbols into contemporary jewellery. The collection takes its name from the Chinese character “頌”, associated with... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/fashion/trends/article/3367818/style-edit-chow-tai-fooks-song-collection-gives-chinese-drum-golden-update https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/fashion/trends/article/3367818/style-edit-chow-tai-fooks-song-collection-gives-chinese-drum-golden-update Mon, 21 Sep 2026 02:00:16 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Ed Sheeran opened a concert on Saturday with comments about Gaza after controversy swirled around his tour and supporting acts withdrew in solidarity with opener Macklemore, who was dropped after making pro-Palestinian comments onstage. Sheeran began the concert alone on stage with no opener, but was joined by other musicians later in the show. Sheeran said he wanted his music and shows to be about unity and humanity, not politics. But he said the attacks in Israel of October 7, 2023, were... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3368135/ed-sheeran-calls-gaza-situation-unjustifiable-after-macklemore-exit-furore https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3368135/ed-sheeran-calls-gaza-situation-unjustifiable-after-macklemore-exit-furore Sun, 20 Sep 2026 01:20:08 +0000 Ashlyn Chak Ashlyn Chak As someone who started playing the piano at age two and later trained in violin and singing, Astrid Jorgensen has always had a close relationship with music. Still, something felt off. “I’ve always been a really musical person looking for that outlet of music and creativity, but I didn’t really find it,” says the 36-year-old vocalist and conductor. Born in Hamilton, New Zealand, to a Singaporean-Chinese mother and a father of European descent, Jorgensen emigrated to Australia as a child,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3367966/how-astrid-jorgensens-pub-choir-shows-anyone-can-sing-no-auditions-no-judgment https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3367966/how-astrid-jorgensens-pub-choir-shows-anyone-can-sing-no-auditions-no-judgment Fri, 18 Sep 2026 08:15:05 +0000 Chloe Loung Chloe Loung With fine weather forecast in Hong Kong for the coming few days, it’s a sign to spend the day outside this weekend. Whether that’s shopping, eating, drinking or exercising, you’re sure to find something on this list. Read on for all the details. 1. Rooftop Moonlit Market Start the Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations early with the Rooftop Moonlit Market in Lai Chi Kok on Saturday, September 19. Along with local bites, handmade crafts, live music and a full afternoon of family-friendly activities,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/article/3367693/5-best-things-do-hong-kong-weekend-september-18-20 https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/article/3367693/5-best-things-do-hong-kong-weekend-september-18-20 Thu, 17 Sep 2026 08:15:06 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Ed Sheeran’s tour of North and South America was plunged into chaos Tuesday when four of his supporting acts abruptly quit in solidarity with the rapper Macklemore, who was dropped for making pro-Palestinian comments on stage. Hours after Sheeran posted on social media about Macklemore’s ousting and attributed the decision to the tour’s promoters, Irish acts Aaron Rowe and Beoga, the Danish band Lukas Graham, and Finneas posted on social media that they were leaving the tour. Rowe and Lukas... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/world/article/3367645/ed-sheeran-tour-trouble-after-4-acts-quit-support-macklemore https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/world/article/3367645/ed-sheeran-tour-trouble-after-4-acts-quit-support-macklemore Tue, 15 Sep 2026 22:32:15 +0000 Jimmy Shiu Jimmy Shiu What advantage does a left-handed conductor have? Before answering that, it is worth looking at another of Holly Hyun Choe’s strengths. In keeping with the Hong Kong Sinfonietta’s tradition, the guest conductor opened the concert with an introductory speech, immediately establishing herself as an excellent communicator. She recalled her excitement upon discovering that the orchestra had long been led by a female music director. Enthusiastic applause followed when Choe acknowledged music director... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/arts/article/3367526/benjamin-grosvenor-joins-hong-kong-sinfonietta-memorable-night https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/arts/article/3367526/benjamin-grosvenor-joins-hong-kong-sinfonietta-memorable-night Tue, 15 Sep 2026 13:15:06 +0000 Faye Bradley Faye Bradley For the first time in six years, Celine Dion returned to the stage and performed a full live show to kick-start her residency at the Plenitude Arena in Paris from September 12 to May 29, 2027. The 58-year-old was diagnosed with stiff person syndrome in late 2022, a rare autoimmune neurological disorder that causes muscle stiffness and painful spasms. The diagnosis led the songstress to step away from the limelight; she last performed a live full set in 2020 as part of her Courage tour. Dion’s... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3367542/meet-celine-dions-3-supportive-sons-rene-charles-and-twins-nelson-and-eddy https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3367542/meet-celine-dions-3-supportive-sons-rene-charles-and-twins-nelson-and-eddy Tue, 15 Sep 2026 10:00:06 +0000 Varvara Rodchenko Varvara Rodchenko Riverdale star Charles Melton is enjoying a milestone year. Following his first Emmy nomination for Netflix’s limited series Beef in July, the actor is reportedly in final talks to star as Kakashi Hatake in Destin Daniel Cretton’s live-action Naruto adaptation. The actor’s personal life is equally busy. After welcoming his first child in March, Melton is embracing fatherhood and recently confirmed his marriage to Camille Summers-Valli. So, who is Camille Summers-Valli, Charles Melton’s wife and... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3367470/meet-riverdale-star-charles-meltons-wife-camille-summers-valli-who-has-directed-hermes-and-burberry https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3367470/meet-riverdale-star-charles-meltons-wife-camille-summers-valli-who-has-directed-hermes-and-burberry Tue, 15 Sep 2026 03:00:06 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Bob Mackie, the fashion designer whose visually provocative Hollywood style defined glamour for the 1970s – including putting Carol Burnett in some of her kookiest get-ups and Cher in her raciest ones – died on Monday. He was 87. “He lived his 87 years to the fullest, fulfilling his dream of being a Fashion and Costume Designer, which is all he ever wanted to do,” read a statement on his social media accounts. Mackie died in Palm Springs, California, from pneumonia, his publicist said. Dubbed... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3367510/bob-mackie-who-dressed-stars-cher-whoopi-goldberg-and-pink-dies-87 https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3367510/bob-mackie-who-dressed-stars-cher-whoopi-goldberg-and-pink-dies-87 Mon, 14 Sep 2026 19:59:11 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Celine Dion wept tears of joy on Saturday as she fulfilled her dream of returning to the stage after years battling a rare neurological disorder, with a sell-out concert in Paris. The 58-year-old French-Canadian singer appeared visibly moved as she opened her first full concert in six years with her 1990s French-language ballad “On ne change pas” (“One Doesn’t Change”), singing to a crowd of 30,000 enthralled fans that one newspaper said included US former first lady Michelle Obama. “These are,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/world/europe/article/3367327/celine-dion-makes-long-awaited-return-stage-paris https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/world/europe/article/3367327/celine-dion-makes-long-awaited-return-stage-paris Sat, 12 Sep 2026 22:05:19 +0000 Ishani Sarkar Ishani Sarkar Ella Langley is one of the biggest country music stars of the year. The 27-year-old has spent 21 weeks and counting atop the Billboard Hot 100 chart with her smash hit “Choosin’ Texas” from her second studio album Dandelion. It is the first-ever non-Christmas track to achieve this feat. Langley also conquered the UK’s Official Singles Chart for the first time with the same song, beating the UK’s longest-running No 1 single, “Rein Me In” by Sam Fender and Olivia Dean, which spent 23 weeks at... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3367152/meet-choosin-texas-singer-ella-langleys-parents-jason-and-heather-langley https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3367152/meet-choosin-texas-singer-ella-langleys-parents-jason-and-heather-langley Sat, 12 Sep 2026 22:00:08 +0000 Joshua Hendren Joshua Hendren The ring is extending its reach, with recent launches from Cartier to Hermès seeing the jewellery staple stretch across two, three and even four fingers. “A double-finger ring naturally changes the way a hand looks,” says Milka Karaagacli, founder and creative director of the fine jewellery label Kismet by Milka. “It feels stronger and more defined.” The finger-spanning style has a long history, its current trendiness notwithstanding. Multi-finger rings were worn in ancient Egypt, where they... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3367039/hermes-dior-double-finger-ring-designs-are-making-bold-fashion-statement https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3367039/hermes-dior-double-finger-ring-designs-are-making-bold-fashion-statement Sat, 12 Sep 2026 19:30:06 +0000 Christopher Halls Christopher Halls Given their proportions and lack of upright agility on their hind paws, the very notion of giant pandas dancing a waltz sounds, dare I say, absurd. So going by its title alone, any chance of a cheeky lilt in 3/4 time or a nostalgic nod to the Strauss clan in Yao Chen’s panda-themed Waltz of the Rolling Giants, the opening piece in the Hong Kong Philharmonic’s “Chengdu Pre-Tour Concert: Eric Lu Plays Chopin”, seemed slim. Thankfully, though, Chen’s waltz – an HK Phil world premiere written... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/arts/article/3367131/pianist-eric-lu-brilliantly-reflects-chopins-genius-hk-phil-concert https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/arts/article/3367131/pianist-eric-lu-brilliantly-reflects-chopins-genius-hk-phil-concert Sat, 12 Sep 2026 08:15:06 +0000 Chloe Loung Chloe Loung This is the 85th instalment in a biweekly series profiling major Hong Kong pop culture figures of recent decades. For lovers of Cantopop music, Wyman Wong Wai-man is a pre-eminent architect of modern Hong Kong’s emotional landscape. Through the classic songs he has written for top singers from Eason Chan Yick-shun to Miriam Yeung Chin-wah, the 57-year-old has chronicled the loves and heartbreaks of a generation. Yet to define him strictly as a lyricist is to ignore a sprawling, multi-hyphenate... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3366866/how-cantopop-lyricist-wyman-wong-pushed-hong-kongs-lgbtq-style-and-emotional-boundaries https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3366866/how-cantopop-lyricist-wyman-wong-pushed-hong-kongs-lgbtq-style-and-emotional-boundaries Fri, 11 Sep 2026 10:15:06 +0000 Vincenzo La Torre Vincenzo La Torre Tommy Hilfiger’s spring/summer 2027 show took place at The Plaza Hotel, where the designer and his wife Dee lived for more than a decade. The historic New York property, overlooking Central Park, was also the backdrop for the brand’s fall/winter 2026 campaign, starring ambassadors such as Gigi Hadid, who opened the show, Travis Kelce, Jisoo and Peggy Gou, all clad in the brand’s “prep made current” separates. The designer is not new to New York City’s landmarks – he once showed a collection at... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/fashion/article/3367125/new-york-fashion-week-2026-tommy-hilfiger-brings-preppy-ss27-collection-plaza-hotel https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/fashion/article/3367125/new-york-fashion-week-2026-tommy-hilfiger-brings-preppy-ss27-collection-plaza-hotel Fri, 11 Sep 2026 02:00:06 +0000 Kamala Thiagarajan Kamala Thiagarajan When civil servant Jackel Wan Chak-kui, 28, first heard a guqin being played, he was a young boy wandering through Chi Lin Nunnery, in Diamond Hill. He remembers being entranced by the instrument’s music, at once subtle and comforting. It seemed to envelop him like a warm embrace, complementing the natural beauty of the gardens, melding with stone, water, wood and stillness. Years later, as a student at Baptist University, Wan chanced upon the sound again, while scrolling through YouTube. He... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/postmag/culture/article/3367028/hong-kong-guqin-devotees-embrace-ancient-zithers-history-philosophy-and-craft https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/postmag/culture/article/3367028/hong-kong-guqin-devotees-embrace-ancient-zithers-history-philosophy-and-craft Fri, 11 Sep 2026 00:00:12 +0000