Rain no dampener as erstwhile boybands rock Hanoi

It began raining just before the international artists took the stage at the HAY Glamping Music Festival, causing a half-an-hour delay.

But there was no dampening to the enthusiasm of fans who flocked to Yen So Park’s central stage area in the thousands to cheer their idols.

English pop group 911 was the first international act to perform, immediately stirring up the atmosphere with the classic love songs like “Night to remember,” “Don’t make me wait” and “The day we find love.”

 

 

Rain no dampener as erstwhile boybands rock Hanoi

911 hát ‘I do’

Now aged 48-50, the three members of the group still retain their sweet voices and fired up the crowd with a number of ballads and busted out some acrobatic dance moves including head spinning.

The most emotional moment in the group’s performance was when the group and the audience sang “I do” together. A man attending the concert proposed to his lover then and she said “I do.”

Next to take the stage with their guitars was the three-member Canadian band, The Moffatts. They performed several hits including “Girl of my dreams,” “Bang bang boom,” and “Heaven.” They also surprised fans by performing “Miss you like crazy” and “Misery” with Vietnamese indie boyband Ngot (Sweet).

Thang, Ngot’s main vocalist, said he got his love for The Moffatts from his brother. He said he couldn’t believe he was on the same stage with his idols.

 

 

Rain no dampener as erstwhile boybands rock Hanoi

The Moffatts hát ‘I’ll be there for you’

British-Norwegian band A1 had some audio issues as it was raining heavily, causing the microphone to occasionally lose sound. The audience, unfazed, sang along with them every time.

As thousands of people stood in the rain, humming “Like a rose,” “Everytime,” and “One more try,” the group became emotional and thanked the fans repeatedly.

The group also performed the song “Everytime” with Vietnamese underground band Da LAB.

 

 

Rain no dampener as erstwhile boybands rock Hanoi

A1 hát ‘Everytime’

Four vocalists from English boyband Blue made up the closing act of the music festival. The band was dubbed the “legend of England” and had the largest number of fans at the event.

Even as the rain got heavier, the fans got more excited, cheering and dancing. Younger than 911 and A1, Blue sang and danced energetically, hyping up the crowd with songs like “Dance with me,” “Haven’t found you yet” and “U make me wanna.”

 

 

Rain no dampener as erstwhile boybands rock Hanoi

Blue hát ‘All Rises’

Thai Minh Phuong, a 38-year-old Hanoian, and a group of four friends stood near the front row and sang their favorite songs from beginning to the end of the show.

Fearing they would lose their “sweet” spot, the group stayed put throughout, not moving even to get food.

“I bought combo tickets for myself and my friends as soon as I heard they were coming to Vietnam. Although their appearance has changed significantly, their voices remain as sweet as before,” said Phuong.

Khanh Ly, a fan from Ho Chi Minh City, said humorously: “I’m 40 and I left my husband and two children at home to come to Hanoi and dance the night away with my girlfriend. Though I am a Blue fan, I also enjoyed performances by The Moffatts, 911 and A1.”

Boyband Blue on stage at HAY Glamping Music Festival in Hanoi. Photo by VnExpress/Pham Chieu

Vietnamese author Trang Neko, 33, said she felt like she was back in her teens, holding CDs and posters daydreaming about her idols.

“The moment everyone sang familiar tunes together, I felt time stood still.”

The HAY Glamping Music Festival was organized for the first time by The BROS Entertainment.

After 911, A1, Blue and The Moffatts, the organizers said they wanted to bring Backstreet Boys and Westlife back to Vietnam in the future.