Two raves in two consecutive days!!? Geez. I must be insane.

Paul Van Dyk's EVOLUTION World Tour is arguably one of the biggest rave parties I've ever been to!

Got there at 9PM

As we were there early, there were other DJ opening acts before Paul Van Dyk's set at midnight.

3 homeboy DJs MisterAriffin, Ian Ross & Phil K Lee (Darkroom Tales) Terrence C and Italian DJ Giuseppe Ottaviani. They hyped up the crowd from 7PM till 12AM.

Still early! The crowd was beginning to build up

With my fellow ravers! Meng, Kerynne, Abel & Shaun 😀

Edwin & I

Homeboys Phil K Lee and Ian Ross!

So while the other DJs played, I kept moving around trying to find a perfect spot to stand.

The DJ console was placed up so high that standing directly beneath it would only allow me to see the tip of the DJ's nose LOL. Hmm.. I kept fidgeting around for a perfect spot with a good view to rave and take photos.

Found my spot. A diagonal left from Paul Van Dyk's DJ console

While waiting for PvD to begin, I chilled with my friends by the cabana

Italian DJ and producer Giuseppe Ottaviani came on scene next

He's produced many tracks and quite a few under Paul Van Dyk's label before too! 

Woohoo!

Psychedelic!

He's pretty damn good

Hey Ed what happened to your glowsticks? haha

The couzzies and I 😀

Keep going! You're amazing

DJ Terrence C was next

Finally, when all the opening acts were over and done with, the clock struck midnight. it was time for the star of the show, Paul Van Dyk to take over the decks for a night of mayhem!  

Just a wee bit excited. Or maybe a whole lot? 😛

A bit of camwhoring just before PvD's set!

And another one! 😀 Teehee

And suddenly my night has came to life even more than it already has. 

Our legendary Trance DJ-producer took to the stage!! I've been waiting all week for this! 

All hail Paul Van Dyk!

Let's get the party started, shall we? 😀

Here's a video of his grand entrance. Better watch it! It's worth your 5 minutes or so

It starts out slowly, but gradually builds the momentum & blasts off! 😀 😀

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gf1ACFH_vnI

He was beyond amazing

The stage lighting and  its bass syncing was very impressive!

Crazy!

the lights boomed with every bass drop!

Lightplay was magnificent

The visuals kept changing every few seconds!

Must've cost heaps to make it happen!

World No. 1 DJ, Paul Van Dyk in the flesh. Again, my life is complete 

He played the all-time favorite and famous track of 1998, 'For an Angel' as well as others like 'Crush', 'Time of Our Lives', 'Let Go', 'Cream' and his other summer mixes and played a remix of Tritonal track too.

I swear if he plays for any less than 1 hour, imma scream for an encore!

Gogogo PvD!!

T'was awesome how PvD jumped along with us and raved too!

I could see the crew members preparing a canon-lookalike thing that was expected to shoot or explode mid-way of PvD's set. I was so worried that it was going to be flames, fireworks or dry ice!

As I was directly beside the canon, I didn't want to get charcoal burnt or injured in the process LOL

BUT GUESS WHAT SHOT OUT FROM THE CANONS INSTEAD??

 😀 😀

It was streamers and confetti!

Heaps of it! The canon fired 4 shots of it altogether!

It was raving mad; without a doubt.

The party didn't end till almost 3AM!

With the couzzies by the cabana towards the end of the gig

Thank you Celcom XPAX for bringing Paul Van Dyk down to Malaysia at the XPLAY Future Sound System!

It was an incredible rave

Photos by Edwin & I.

I had an amazing time. Many thanks to Celcom XPAX and Nuffnang for sponsoring my ticket 

As Paul Van Dyk would say, "this is the time of our lives" and I couldn't agree more!

Headed home fully exhausted yet ecstatic from the trippin' weekend!

Need I say more? 😀

Heyylloo again loves! 🙂

If you've been following my blog for some time, yall would know that I was down in Singapore for the F1 Grand Prix previously

So yes yes, I've come to the end! This is the final installment of my series in this escapade 🙂

Funny how just one weekend trip conjured so many blogposts! 😀 Simply because I had so much to share and there were so many angles of the trip too! Here are all the episodes whilst in Singapore F1, in case you missed :

Day of arrival + Daughtry LIVE in concert + partyin' at Zouk SG  – HERE

Sexy, professional erotic dancers Chippendales striptease show – HERE

My experience during the semi finals + the grand finale night race – HERE

Top 3 champions + "tragedies" + my thoughts on the finals-  HERE

Adam Lambert LIVE in concert – HERE

Mariah Carey LIVE in concert – HERE

So now.. final day! Let's tackle it head on… full swing ahead! 😀 😀

With the boys who also went on this trip, Simon & Jackie

For today, lemme share with you my morning in the Pit Stop / Paddock area.

As far as I know, it's off limits because it can be pretty dangerous once you're inside.

There's lotsa spare parts, sharp edges, massive aerosol sprays, hardware and whatnot.

(oh, and lots and lots of hunky men too, if you consider that dangerous) *winks*

But thanks to this baby of ours, we had full access to all the restricted areas 🙂

And of course, escorted by these 2 gentlemen from Lotus Racing.

They were nice enough to show us around and bring us to meet the engineers, mechanics, technicians and whatever other profession there is to build race cars fit for the Formula One circuit.

Thanks!

and p/s – I like your shoes. They're funkehhh!

And they all have matching funkeh shoes! 😀 can't believe it's part of their uniform.

Who would've thought… MATCHING SHOES? Nice one

And so after passing through security – they were very adamant on body-checking, scanning and checking every single belonging of ours – we finally got into the restricted zone. The first thing I saw on my left was this –

Lots and lots of tyres, all labeled!

Plus, a person's rear end. 😛 😛

Saw a competitor's car parts too

Virgin Racing

Communication gear for the racers! i.e Headphones, mics

So that the person in charge can go "DRIVE FASTER U SON OF A GUN! STEP ON IT!"

I kid 😛

Spotted some dudes fine tuning the edges of the side wing (?) of the car

and more dudes doing their bit in putting the race car together

Pretty! Shiny too 😀

This dude was busy engineering some parts of the engine.

Hmmm.. i better not go too near him nor strike a conversation lest he gets distracted and screws a bolt too loosely or something. *gulp*

I'm not paying for any racer's insurance here! 😛

So we finally reached the light, and the end of the tunnel of pure seriousness and concentration. It was beginning to get rather tense in there 🙂 Here's the Pit Stop where the speed demons pull over during a race either for refuelling, new tyres, repairs and other mechanical adjustments

But now, it's filled with car body parts!!

After so much observation, here's where the kick comes in *biggrin*

One of the car engineers sensed my enthusiasm and curiosity…. and asked if if I would like to help!

*squeals*

Of course I would LOVE TO HELP!

But oh well, my hopes and dreams of getting myself dirty, fixing together a majorly important part of the race car and crawling under a race car with beads of sweat running down my forehead kinda backfired.

I'm not telling you what I helped out at! 😛

Because it was like some insignificant part with required only a miniscule amount of effort

On a random note, why do the Brit and American car engineers ALL look so smart, hunky, immaculate and effortlessly suave?

They look like they could've easily finished a calendar shoot.

Plus, they are all tall, dark and handsome as opposed to the dirty, messy, smelly, smeared with grime and engine oils, having disgusting patches of sweat on their chest and underarms like the *majority* of mechanics here in Malaysia.

Don't come running after me with a spanner if you actually do happen to know a gorgeous mechanic here

OR IF YOU ARE ONE YOURSELF!

It doesn't count if he ain't local! 😛 😛

So! *dusts shoulders* I played a part in the making of this sexy mean machine!

Okay lah, I'll tell you what I helped out with. Promise you won't laugh or jeer at me nor my tiny efforts.

I only helped with painting the corners of the car with gloss paint. *runs away*

But hey! It's QUITE important too, come to think of it. You wouldn't wanna see an ugly coloured race car right? 😛 Neither would you wanna see a race car with patches of messy paintwork. 😛 😛

Yes I'm fully aware that I'm comforting myself. Heh!

But I implore you to play along for my sake! Nyahaha

Thank you for making me feel important in the race for one second.

So whenever I see Lotus Racing's car whizz past, I can at least manage a tiny

"HEYYY!! I PAINTED THAT!!

SEEE! SEE! LOOK AT IT GO! :P"

Haha enough of the nonsensical imagination. You must've thought I wrote this piece on crack or that I've turned into a delusional nutcase as we speak. In fact, I've just accidentally added a tablespoon of bitter black coffee into my Milo and now struggling to finish the entire damned mug.

Thankew Maxis &Lotus Racing! Goodbye Formula One Grand Prix, Singapore 2010

It was fab while it lasted.

So most of you would know that I attended Mariah Carey's concert when I was down in Singapore for the F1 Grand Prix a month ago. Haven't really found the time to do up this blogpost. But I figured that I should finally get round to it 🙂

Seeing diva Mariah Carey perform live in the flesh and belting her lungs out before me was indeed a great honour.

An outfit change of 3-4 times during the performance!

Many thanks to Maxis and Nuffnang for the opportunity. She was exactly what I had envisioned her to be – except probably a tad bigger. Heh.

Though logically, she is bound to look tiny standing on this gigantic stage.

little Mariah amidst thousands of people

When her concert began, there was a sudden burst of digital butterflies all around the backdrop screen. They were fluttering around for quite some time before she finally came onstage to sing the 1st song of tonight.

'Obsessed' was the first song of the hour

As expected, thousands and thousands of fans were screaming ecstatically upon seeing her

After her song, Mariah complimented the weather in Singapore. LOL very common topic to begin a conversation I must say 😛

She mentioned that it was really "so nice and hot here".

Then she went on dancing and singing the rest of her popular songs from various albums. Even from the really old ones from Glitter of 2001 and Charmbracelet of 2002 to the more current ones like E=MC² of 2008

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Le_jSMX62GY

Shot a video of her performing 'It's Like That'

I wasn't really familiar with all her songs as I ain't a huge fan, but after looking through the net, I spotted some familiar songs from those albums.

I sing you listen, class! Ya hear me? 😛 😛

She sang with gusto and her powerful voice reverberated throughout Zone IV

So much so that some friends even texted me asking "is that Mariah's voice I hear?"

When they were snug in the hotel room away from the concert arena!

The ones I loved were 'Through the Rain' and 'Touch My Body'

She was fabulous, singing it live! 

Mariah Carey was every bit of a diva the media portrayed her to be.

She had diva moments aplenty and requested publicly for water onstage as well as a stand fan to be blown towards her direction. She also complained of tiredness and thirst!

Ermm.. I thought you said it was "nice and hot" a moment ago, Mariah? 😛 😛

Not too nice anymore huh? 😀 Asian weather. Too humid, no?

After complaining about her fatigue and how her feet hurt due to her new pair of heels,

the crew brought in a sofa for her.

How much more diva-ish can any diva possibly get on stage? O__o

While resting on the sofa, she chit-chatted with the crowd a little about how she was inspired by her godmother (whom I found out was Patti LaBelle!!!) who was comfy with her fans as well.

She then mentioned a bit about how she wanted to take an example to be just as comfy as she can, with us.

After apologizing to the crowd about her 'diva'ness, She continued performing even more songs as we sang along with her.

Shortly after, Mariah called for the crew to adjust and change her high heels.

So someone came onstage upon her call…

… and started fiddling with her footwear WHILE she was performing & dancing.

However, Mariah still didn't seem to have proper balance even after her shoes were fixed. Seriously, it makes me wonder how many inches of platforms she was prancing around in.

Constantly needed a helping hand with every few movements

Her movements were slightly deterred and she was tripping – needing literally more back support of the back-up dancers

HENCE THE TERM "BACK-UP" DANCERS HAHAHAH GEDDIT GEDDIT? ok lame. kthxbai.

I had the feeling she was going to fall off the stage or onstage.

Either way, it's gonna be nasty

After a few seconds, her facial expression changed.

Her knees seemed wobblier than usual and her hands were outstretched more often

And that's when I knew……….

SHE WAS INDEED GOING TO FALL!!!!

I WAS RIGHT!!

After a few struggles and clutching onto her dancers, Mariah began tumbling down….

DOWN DOWN

DOWWWNNNNN

At least she didn't topple over exposing anything nor fell flat on her face.

But she fell down flat on her buttocks crossed legged ala sitting position followed by a "thud" sound

What a graceful way to fall

Many people came to her aid, especially the back-up dancers and crew members.

But she brushed them aside and said "I'm okay! I'll be fine"

The best part was that she knew how to laugh at herself, instead of being emotional or creating drama of any sort.

"OH MY! YOUTUBE WILL BE ON FIRE AFTER THIS!

ALL OF YOU DESERVE A REFUND WATCHING ME FALL"

and she giggled.

But she got back up with the speed of light!! O__o

Thankfully without ripping her stockings or anything. Bravo!

This gutsy woman then continued braving whatever pain she *might* have felt during the fall and carried on her performance anyway.

Little did we all know that she was actually already pregnant!

It's really deleterious for a preggers lady to fall down.

Much less strutting all over stage with her killer high heels!

Later that night, she shared the stage with her good friend.

I'm sorry I didn't catch his name!

Another outfit change. So typical of Mariah Carey 😀

Ya know those kinds of diva/big shots who will always have outfit changes during performances?!

Yep, she's one of 'em! 😀

But what can I say?

Although I'm no hardcore fan of hers, she was fantastic on stage – albeit cracking a few lame bimbo jokes or two of course.

But it was all gooooooood.

Her signature squeals can really hit all the drastically sky-high notes beyond words!

I bet that would be an understatement already but how many people have actually saw her live in action doing it?? That's why I just HAVE to say it. She was really that good, heard with my very own ears (without autotune, nothing!) directly within my line of vision. *bows*

Props go to her back up dancers as well.

They fired up the energy and the mood pretty damn good!

Just before it was about to end, there was a poignant moment.

She got down on her knees and had a "personal" moment with her fans in front.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkvnfNGXXlw

Just call my name…. and I'll be there~

Couldn't really hear what she was saying though but through video close ups of the fans faces, I could see some of them had tears in their eyes.

Thank you Mariah for touching the hearts of your fans

At least the ones in front LOL

YOU ARE A STAR AND WILL ALWAYS BE THE #1 DIVA OF ALL TIME!!!!

Congratulations on your pregnancy and towards motherhood!

I wish you well.

So Adam Lambert arrived in Malaysia yesterday and the organizers held a press conference for him this afternoon.

How was the night concert just now? 🙂

I hope you enjoyed his show! I gave up my passes as I had some other commitments to be somewhere else at the same time 🙁
 

Doesn't really matter though, as I've already watched him live in concert a few weeks ago in his Glamnation tour at Marina Bay, Singapore during the F1 Grand Prix courtesy of Maxis & Lotus Racing

The stage all done up for a night of the Glamberts!

I also heard that there was much protest against his concert because of his so-called "promotion of gay culture", including gay acts of kissing male back-up dancers on stage and other suggestive gestures.

PAS Protest outside Adam Lambert's concert gates

(courtesy of my good friend Joe who twitpic-ed it)

You *obviously* know who's behind this objection – the Malaysia Islamists opposition party, also known as PAS.

 

Come on guys, you even campaigned against Avril Lavigne and Pitbull previously -___-
 

 (No offense to Islamic religion. I know your religion is just as pure and beautiful as ours, advocating good teachings and so on.

But unfortunately, it is these extremists that causes others to think negatively of Islams)

Gotta be kidding us, ey! You see, Adam Lambert ain't afraid to come out of the closet and admit his sexuality. In fact, he celebrates it with the rest of the world. We love his music, enthuse over his flamboyance and admire his success.

I'd like to see you staunchly religious folks getting any close to those magnificent talents and international success –  loved, praised and adored by many. And… what promotion of gay culture?

 

Oh, you mean like this?

He had excellent chemistry with his guitarist! That's good for the success of ANY concert

I shot this picture during his concert in Singapore when he sang 'Whataya Want From Me'
 

OR

Like these?
 

Pffft. So what? You'd see this on the streets ANYWAY

 

Really, now. It's the 21st Century! Opposing and demonstrating against concerts or superstars will only reflect on yourself and the views you have.

Do you really think it will stop our "young minds from being corroded" and "diminish our moral values"?

Everyone witnesses homosexual behaviour – be it mild or extreme – in the malls, dinner eateries, clubs and practically anywhere in Malaysia anyway. I view it just the same way I see heterosexual behaviour. And your problem is?

For goodness sake, RESPECT THEIR SEXUAL PREFERENCE and take it like a pinch of salt! For all you know, your younger brother, bachelor uncle or eldest son may be gay as well… I'm just saying!

It's sad that they can't be their true, real selves to even their own family members because you're too prudish to accept their apparently different placement of biological chromosomes
 

(courtesy of Jules' twitpic)

EARN YOUR RESPECT, YOU RESPECT THE HOMOSEXUALS FIRST!

They're minding their own business and I personally think you should too

 You accept (and love) "abnormal" people with brain defects or autism.  So why can't you accept a different sexual orientation which are deemed "abnormal" by your standards?

The gay community is very, very big. And with all due respect, there is nothing you can do to stop it.

 

Channel your focus and energy on crimes like robberies, corruption, reckless driving, marital rape, drug dealing, animal abuse, deforestation and illegal immigration rampant in Malaysia instead. That needs more attention for the betterment of the country AND THE YOUTHS.

Those are the real things that you should frown upon!

Those crimes! Being gay however, is not..

In fact, being gay does not make you any less of a person

OMG can't believe I finally purged my views on that. Why so serious hehe
And for the record, I'm straight. So whatever I've articulated above is an unbiased, honest opinion.
 

Anyway… on a lighter note, lotsa photos & a video of Adam Lambert LIVE in Singapore! 😀 Woo hoo!
 

He got the ball rolling with a bonus track, 'Voodoo', on his debut album
 

It was as very fast-paced song and even more energetic performance, An excellent way to kick-start the evening!
 

When he made his grand entrance upstage, he was fully decked in a vivacious purple gear. Complete with the purple, feather mad hatter hat and furry, fringed overcoat. Whoa, it really made me go – what the? 😀 LOL!
 

I wonder if he dressed in the same outfit at Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil just now? 😀
 

He stole the show with pumping tracks such as Down the Rabbit Hole and Ring of Fire.
 

We were already perspiring from top to toe in our relatively little clothing, let alone Adam Lambert himself?

His heavily made up and guy-linered eyes seemed to be waterproof or something LOL

as he pranced away upstage, like feeding off the undying energy of his hardcore fanbase!

I personally found a particular guitarist of his very cute!
 

(and I reckon Adam did as well :P)
 

Because throughout the 1 hour concert, their onstage rapport seemed pretty apparent to be more than just a forefront chemistry. Hmm.. you might never know! 😀 They could be datiing or something, that's something for them to know and us to find out hehe 
 

but one thing's for sure, they all complemented each other very well
 

For the synchronization of music, instrumentals, vocals to the sound system was impeccable!

Rip that electric guitar you!
 

But if I had you, that would be the only thing I'd ever need
Yeah if I had you, then money fame and fortune never could compete
If I had you, life would be a party it'd be ecstasy
Yeah, if I had you
You-y-y-y-y-you
You-y-y-y-y-you
You-y-y-y-y-you
If I had you

Little by little, he got rid of the fancy-schmancy outfit.

Singing 'Fever'! Lovin' those disco beats! 😀
 

Amplifiy it boys! 😀
 

As expected, the gambit of the night was when he danced into a fast and furious routine along with his back up dancers while singing 'For Your Entertainment'. That number is one of my personal faves!
 

Do you know what you got into~
 

Can you handle what I'm about to you~
 

Cos it's gonna get rough for you~
 

I'm here for your entertainment!

Gotta give it up to his amazing team of dancers too, they were simply top-notch 😀

Both female…
 

and male!!
 

His costume change was pretty quick and I didn't even notice!
 

Here Adam is, looking all glam-ed up with more glitter in his hair and signature long-tailed coat

I prefer this than the faux fur purple one anytime 😀
 

They slowed down the pace a little with a slower jam 'Sleepwalker' (with a backdrop of an unknown Victorian-looking man!) but continued shooting the party to the skies after that – belting out  'Strut' and 'Whataya Want From Me'
 

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkNilFomSlA

Watch it! 😀
 

I loved the acoustics behind this version of 'Whataya Want from Me'. Lovely. His vocals are reaaaalllyyyy good! Looks like certain American Idol finalists do actually carve a name for themselves in their shot at international stardom.
 

But his falsettos really shown when he sang 'Soaked' and 'Aftermath'. Three thumbs up!
 

It was fast and furious on certain moments of his 1 hour concert and he very cleverly brought it down to a slow melody at certain parts too. Hey, a superstar needs to catch a breath too, ya know! 😀
 

You ain't the one clad in thick clothing and make up, singing your lungs out before thousands and thousands of people.
 

It was rather meaningful when he emphasized a lot on love during his concert. Here are some of his words I quoted from the concert!
 

"Tonight's show is about love – both the food and bad side of love" before he sang 'Whataya Want From Me'
 

"It doesn't matter how much money you make or how many cars you own or how much sex you have.

It is all meaningless unless it's connected to love"

"This song is about finding the love for yourself" prior to his rendition of Aftermath

Now we all know that beneath his rocker image, Adam Lambert has a big heart! Awww..

He left the stage, leaving us all on a high note.
 

Simply an enjoyable concert, showcasing everything from his tremendous vocal abilities, his flexible and well-coordinated dance moves, his humorous interaction skills with his die-hard fans and most of all, celebrating a knock-out show with the Glamberts  – the star of the show himself surpassed everyone;s expectations

Oh, and what did they say about this concert promoting gay culture, again?

 I fail to see the connection after tonight 🙂
 

Close up of the protest flyers the PAS members were distributing.

(to all my non-Malaysian readers ask me to translate if you want to know k!)

(courtesy of Joe's twitpic  :))

I hope the concert in Malaysia was just as good! I'm sure it was.