Ayumi Hamasaki blends iconic songs with flair

Spanning 2½ hours, the first Singapore solo show by the veteran J-pop star offered spectacular visuals and a lot of heart

- Elisa Chia

CONCERT AYUMI HAMASAKI ASIA TOUR 2025: I AM AYU -EP.II- SINGAPORE Singapore Indoor Stadium July 5

Queen of J-pop Ayumi Hamasaki finally performed her first solo concert in Singapore on July 5 and what an entrance she made. As the red curtains rose, more than a dozen dancers in striking gold costumes were seen on the four-sided centre square stage. The 46-year-old superstar then emerged, looking radiant in a Cleopatra-inspired Egyptian outfit and holding a sceptre.

The near-10,000-strong capacity crowd at the Singapore Indoor Stadium went wild as she opened the show with three rock-influenced numbers - Inspire (2004), Duty (2000) and Microphone (2010).

Hamasaki, or Ayu as she is known to her fans, debuted in 1998. Her rise to fame - from a flashy street-wise "ah lian" to a polished pop princess to now the empress of pop - captivated a massive audience in Japan and beyond.

At the concert, Hamasaki's widespread appeal was evident. Many concertgoers were dressed in leopard-print outfits - her signature - or T-shirts bearing her iconic "A" logo. There were also fans who flew in from China.