Stefanie Sun makes grand return to the big stage after a decade

Aut Nihilo Sun Yanzi In Concert - Singapore
Singapore Indoor Stadium, April 5

More than 10 years have passed since Stefanie Sun's last concert here at the National Stadium in 2014. Despite the long absence, she is still Singapore's most popular home-grown diva.

Her peppy image and frolicking sense of fun have always been part of her appeal, together with her unique, slightly raspy voice. And all these held true on the first of her four sold-out concerts at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, marking her 25 years as a singer.

It was a grand return to the concert scene, and one worth the wait, with Sun's talent on full display on a 71m-wide stage billed as the largest at the venue and before a 7,000-strong crowd.

Against a backdrop resembling a wheat field, fireworks projected on a 14.5m-tall LED wall and six confetti showers, the star appeared on a platform in an oversized flowing white outfit, and kicked off her long-awaited show with her resolute number, My Desired Happiness (2000).

It was the same song she had performed during a surprise appearance at the Dec 31, 2024 gig of her mentors, Singaporean composers Lee Wei Song and Lee Si Song. But the allure of a Stefanie Sun concert has always been the immersive experience of hearing her songs delivered with frisky yet wholesome playfulness.

The costumes, stagecraft and production effects all added to the encounter. And the 46-year-old pulled out all the stops.

On second number Turbo (2000), 14 backup dancers joined in while the flashing animations in blue and pink shifted into high gear. It was a sensory buffet perfect for celebrating Sun's 25 years in show business, and her return to touring.

Sun's biggest hits were released in the 2000s, and her set list skewed heavily towards this period.

Fans of her third studio album Kite (2001), in particular, had a field day, as half its 10 tracks made the cut. Her eighth studio album Stefanie (2004), which clinched her the coveted Golden Melody Award for Best Female Mandarin Singer in 2005, also contributed four tracks: My Love, Running, Wish You Happiness and Stefanie.

Fans who have not listened to any of her new music since 2010 would find themselves at home, as the show was largely a nostalgia trip to a time before iPhones, Instagram and Spotify. It was when cinemagoers watched the Hong Kong movie Turn Left, Turn Right (2003), and heard Sun sing its theme song Encounter for the first time.

This song would go on to become one of Mandopop's most widely covered ballads, with versions from singers such as Taiwan's Rene Liu, Jeff Chang, Eric Chou and Weibird Wei; Hong Kong's Sandy Lam and Leon Lai; and Malaysia's Fish Leong. To hear the classic performed by its original singer was a treat indeed.

Sun's 165-minute show also proved to be a glittery gathering of stars. Apart from her mentors, Singaporean singer Kit Chan and Hong Kong actress Charlie Yeung also showed up.

Eagle-eyed fans might have spotted fellow Singaporean superstar JJ Lin featured in the background of the animated video during her number Wish You Happiness.

Yet, amid the glitz, the show was also an intimate glimpse of Sun's personal life. Some segments showed her son and daughter, now 12 and six respectively, when they were younger.

A tribute section featured a voice recording from her husband, Mr Nadim van der Ros, who addressed her as "sweetie" in English. The Indonesia-born founder of a consulting firm said in the recording: "All the best for the concert. I know it hasn't been easy especially with a family in tow. But I think you've made the best of it... You'll put on a great performance. Have fun."

In addition, a group of Sun's secondary school friends known as the Munch Bunch sent in a voice tribute, accompanied by photos taken with her during her last concert here in 2014, and her wedding in 2011.

These elements portrayed Sun as a down-to-earth star, from which much of her charisma stems. She might be a shimmering diva onstage, but offstage, she is also a wife, mother and friend.

And, like a reunion with old pals, it was as if time had stood still. Sun remains one of the Lion City's most beloved stars, and her concert was a sunny comeback to touring. Welcome back.