12 song requests over 45 minutes

Many fans were moved to tears at the second gig of Taiwanese superstar Jay Chou's three-night concert at the National Stadium

- Benson Ang

Frequent attendees of Jay Chou's concerts often regard the song request segment as one of their highlights.

That is when fans who manage to attract his attention get picked to ask the Taiwanese singer-songwriter to perform their favourite song on the spot, no matter how obscure the number. They also get to sing along and interact with their idol.

The 28,000 concertgoers at the Oct 12 show got an extra serving of this segment, which ran for 45 minutes of the show's 165 minutes. It was the second of Chou's three Carnival World Tour shows in Singapore from Oct 11 to 13.

Among his fans were local singer-actor Rao Zi Jie, 35, who was in the front row with his influencer-hawker girlfriend Phyllis Seah.

When Chou, 45, learnt of Rao's reputation as Singapore's Jay Chou, the Mandopop superstar suggested the two sing a duet of Stranded (2004). When Rao was passed a microphone and aced the opening lines, Chou said, "Looks like you can do it", and joined in.

After the song ended, he also signed an autograph for Ms Seah.