Indulge in an Up-Close Evening with Ed Sheeran at the Price of S$298!

Get ready for a unique and intimate concert experience with the announcement of “An Evening with Ed Sheeran.” Set to captivate fans, the event will unfold on February 17 at the renowned Capitol Theatre in Singapore. Presented by AEG Presents Asia, in collaboration with KrisFlyer, the esteemed rewards program of the SIA Group, this concert promises an extraordinary affair with a limited seating capacity of just 1,000 attendees.

The Capitol Theatre originally opened its doors in July 1930 as a cinema, premiering the 1929 musical Rio Rita. Touted as having the most modern auditorium in the Far East at the time, the venue became a cinematic hub in the ’50s and ’60s. Not only did it host Miss Singapore and Miss Malaya beauty pageants, but it also witnessed performances by local legends like The Quests. Now, Ed Sheeran is set to have his concert here.

Ed Sheeran, a global sensation with over 150 million records sold worldwide, will enchant the audience with tracks from his albums “Autumn Variations” and “Subtract,” in addition to delivering some of his greatest hits. This concert is a departure from his usual arena shows, offering a more personal connection between the artist and his fans.

Key details for “An Evening with Ed Sheeran” are as follows:
Date: February 17, 2024
Venue: Capitol Theatre, Singapore
Ticket Price: S$298
Ticket General Sale Date: January 12 (Friday) at 3 pm
Ticketing Merchant: Ticketmaster

For KrisFlyer members, starting from January 5, they can redeem a pair of Category 1 Standing and Category 2 tickets for 63,000 and 78,000 miles, respectively, through KrisFlyer Experiences. Each member has the opportunity to redeem up to four tickets across both categories.

AEG Presents Asia expressed excitement in its media release, stating, “Experiencing Sheeran in a smaller theatre setting and sharing stories as he goes through his catalogue of hits with a full band will be a treat for Singapore fans.”

Image Credits: ticketmaster.sg

Don’t miss out on this exclusive rendezvous with Ed Sheeran that promises to be an unforgettable musical journey!

Sources: 1 & 2

 

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How to Save Money to Grow Your KPop Merch Collection

Fangirls and fanboys show their love for their idols in different ways. While some fans show their loyalty by attending every concert, others show their appreciation by purchasing KPop merchandise. Buying albums is one of the best ways to support their idols as it will help the singers or bands to hit top spots in the physical and digital music charts.

To help you get started in buying and saving for KPop merchandise (merch), here is an easy guide:

CHOOSE EITHER OFFICIAL OR UNOFFICIAL MERCH

There are two types of KPop merch – official and unofficial goods. The former is released by the KPop star’s entertainment company. Official merch includes albums, photo books, lightsticks, concert items, and DVDs. A percentage of the sales will go straight to your idols. The latter is usually cheaper than the former. The unofficial goods are fan made and will support the fans’ small businesses. Unofficial goods include fanarts printed on shirts, mugs, stationery items, and keychains.

SCOUT FOR DISCOUNTS

Always keep a lookout for discounts on shops that offer KPop merchandise. Start by scanning online to see whether these stores have posted their recent promotions and events on their websites and social media pages. You can also inquire locally by asking physical merchants whether they have an upcoming promotion. Compare their rates to Singapore marketplaces to ensure that you get the best deals.

KNOW WHERE TO SHOP

KPop merchandise is available on international websites such as Amazon and YesAsia. Items are also available in physical stores such as Infinity Kpop (City Gate) and House of Kpop (Orchard Road). You must first identify the merchandise that you are looking for. Then, do your research on the prices offered by the physical and online stores. Choosing the cheapest places to purchase your desired items will help you save a considerable amount of cash.

MANAGE YOUR CASH

If you are planning to purchase the newest album by ENHYPEN or NewJeans, allot a specific budget by planning ahead. To avoid using your credit cards or borrowing money that is not yet in your hands, you can save up for the coveted item.

For instance, you are expecting that you’ll be getting your salary in a few days, so you decided to pre-order the merchandise and pay for it later. Once you receive your salary, you may experience cash shortage because of your fixed expenses. Having a plan helps avoid overspending and debts.

RESIST THE MARKETING TRAPS

Marketers want you to spend money by targeting their ads to the people who are able to shell out their cash in Kpop merchandise. They have this mentality of: “Don’t go broke but also buy, buy, buy.” It is the marketing department’s job to sell you items, even if you do not need them. So, do your best to resist the marketing traps.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

If your savings are not enough to fund your attendance at all the concerts or your eagerness to collect all your idol’s albums, do not let the marketers sway you. Find price-comparison websites to get the best deals before purchasing goods featuring BTS, Jessi, BLANKPINK, and so on.

Sources: 1 & 2

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Jackson Wang & TEAM WANG Arrive in Singapore

K-Pop sensation Jackson Wang has arrived in Singapore to an enthusiastic crowd of screaming fans. The star arrived in Changi Airport last August 2. He waved, gave out high-fives, and accepted a letter from a fan as he walked out of the Changi Airport Terminal 3 arrival gate.

Wang is a Hong Kong-born singer/songwriter, rapper, and record producer who gained global recognition after debuting with the South Korean boy band Got7 by JYP Entertainment. He is here in the Lion City until August 10 to help promote the SingapoReimagine campaign by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB).

To top off the celebration, he will host a party in Marquee nightclub at Marina Bay Sands with his record label Team Wang on August 6. This sold-out event is entitled Team Wang Records (Human Remix), which will feature pop and hip hop music.

Other acts that will delight its guests include Marquee’s DJ Fvder, beatboxer Dharni as well as other artists such as Laurie, Xenzu, and Boytoy. This will be the first event hosted by an international artist at Marquee since its opening in 2019.

Image Credits: instagram.com/marqueesingapore/

If you miss out on this event, do not fret! You can catch him in a series of lifestyle vlogs featuring wellness, food, music, as well as arts and culture spots in Singapore. Furthermore, he will open a concept space for his streetwear label – Team Wang Design.

The concept store is open in voco Orchard hotel. The voco Orchard Singapore is under the IHG Hotel umbrella and is located at 581 Orchard Road.

TEAM WANG DESIGN

Whether you admire Jackson Wang or not, you can still get a piece of his art through his TEAM WANG Design “MUDANCE” Concept Space. Located at the new upscale hotel voco Orchard Singapore, this free-entry concept space is a treat to the eyes. The theme here is tropical paradise where decorations are decked in floral prints, pink decor, and luscious plants.

This concept space is filled with Team Wang’s newest summer collection. Expect a selection of beachwear in floral prints and clothing pieces in the hues of pink and white.

Running until August 31, this concept space has items for both men and women. You will see some floral shirts, pink tops, jackets, and more. Couples who love to wear matching outfits can surely achieve a flawless #OOTD!

If you are curious to know which pieces are Wang’s favorites, you better take this down. Jackson has revealed that the floral print bikini and pink gradient tank top are his favorites.

Sources: 1 & 2

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Which Music Streaming Service Reigns Supreme: Apple Music vs Spotify?

When it comes to the best music streaming services, Apple Music and Spotify immediately pop into our minds! After all, these two music streaming providers are leading the charts in paid subscribers. Carrying distinctive features that cater to specific users, it can be hard to choose between the two.

So, let us dig a little deeper into their traits to see which is the ideal music streaming service for you!

AUDIOPHILE-GRADE STREAMING EXPERIENCE: APPLE MUSIC

In February 2021, Spotify announced that it will be releasing its Spotify HiFi tier. This is an upgraded level of streaming that aims to deliver lossless CD-quality music. Upon its release, it will only be available in selected regions. However, Spotify users have yet to see any signs of HiFi anywhere. By default, Spotify sets its streaming quality to automatic. This setting depends on your connection strength – whether you are using Wi-Fi or cellular data.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

On the other hand, Apple Music recently released its high-resolution streaming options at no extra cost. Apple has developed its own lossless audio compression technology called Apple Lossless Audio Codec (ALAC). With it, you can experience 16-bit/44.1kHz, 24-bit/48kHz, and 24-bit/192kHz streaming and Spatial Audio through Dolby Atmos.

POCKET-FRIENDLY PLANS: APPLE MUSIC

Both Spotify and Apple Music offer three-month free trials for their premium versions. When comparing the prices of the plans, Apple Music is minutely cheaper than Spotify Premium.

Here is a comparative list:

Apple Music Spotify Premium
Free Trial 3 months 3 months
Student Plan S$4.98/month S$4.99/month
Standard Plan S$9.98/month S$9.99/month
Family Plan S$14.98/month S$14.98/month

FREE VERSION: SPOTIFY

If you are not willing to spend money on a music streaming service, you can download Spotify and use its free version. There is a catch! Spotify Free is supported by advertisers, so expect to listen to these ads.

You also cannot download your favorite songs or access the offline mode. This free version will either use your cellular data or connect to your Wi-Fi whenever you stream.

MOST FLEXIBLE STREAMING SERVICE: SPOTIFY

Choosing Apple Music is a no brainer if you are stuck in the Apple ecosystem and are blessed with a wealth of iTunes music. In contrast, Spotify welcomes both its Apple and Android users.

You can also stream your Spotify playlist across various devices from smart speakers to game consoles and smartphones. There is also a robust range of podcasts and concerts.

WHICH MUSIC STREAMING SERVICES SHOULD YOU CHOOSE?

As a personal preference, I prefer using Spotify Premium on my Android and Apple devices due to its superior song recommendation algorithm. If Spotify suddenly stopped its services and I had to switch to Apple Music, it would not be so bad.

You need to choose a service that suits your personal and financial preferences. Save money on your subscription by getting the Family Plan. Spotify and Apple Music offer Family Plans at S$14.98/month. You can share your subscription with five other people. Thus, your contribution will amount to about S$2.50/month/person.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Are there only three members in your family? Do not worry about sharing your plan with your actual family members! You can form a group of friends or co-workers instead.

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

 

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BTS Meal To Launch In Singapore On June 21

In 2013, a South Korean boy group called BTS or 방탄소년단 debuted under Big Hit Entertainment (HYBE Corporation). The group smoothly made its way to the hearts of many and had since become a global icon.

With smash hits like Dynamite and Butter, BTS made its way to the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Global 200. In fact, its newly released song Butter blasted with a record-breaking 289.2 million streams and 249,000 sold worldwide in the May 21-27 tracking week.

Another surprise came earlier this year as McDonald’s promoted the “BTS Meal”. BTS Meal went on sale in South Korea, United States, and 10 other countries last May 2021. This meal consists of a 10-piece Chicken McNuggets, Medium Fries, Coke, and two new dipping sauces. These new flavors are Sweet Chili and Cajun. The packaging for the BTS Meal comes in purple and was printed with the group’s logo.

BTS MEAL CRAZE

As BTS’ popularity skyrocketed, there have been concerns that the launch of the meal could draw crowds in some Asian countries where COVID-19 cases have risen and where vaccination levels remain relatively low.

McDonald’s was instructed to temporarily shut some outlets in Indonesia last week when the introduction of the BTS Meal sparked frenzy. Several delivery riders were seen massing inside and outside of the food chain during the meal’s launching. Their local police said that the temporary closure of several outlets was “because they were found to have violated health protocols”, including limiting capacity to 50%.

Thus, Indonesian fans created a crowdfunding page to raise money for drivers and their families. They have acknowledged that the delivery drivers faced long lines and possible exposure to the COVID-19 to bring them their meals.

LAUNCH IN SINGAPORE

Due to the tightening of social distancing rules and the ban on dine-in options, the meal’s rollout in Singapore was delayed last month. The launch was re-scheduled to June 21 instead. Please adhere to the safety procedures when scoring your coveted meal.

Image Credits: facebook.com/mcdsg

Fans must know that the BTS Meal does not come with photo cards or other related merchandise. Instead, you can order the collaboration’s official BTS x McDonald’s merch at HYBE Merch.

Sources: 1, 2, 3 & 4

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