In fine feather
Thongchai "Bird" McIntyre returns to Impact Arena for a blow out show
WHEN A MAJOR entertainment company reaches the ripe old age of 30 a celebration is in order and for GMM Grammy the best way of feting this momentous occasion was to invite its biggest star ever to return to the stage.
And that’s exactly what Thongchai “Bird” McIntyre did last weekend, packing Impact Arena. Muang Thong Thani for three sold out shows on the theme “Feather and Flowers: Secret Garden”.
Bird’s shows are never a letdown. Totally professional affairs with nothing left to chance, they are always packed with hits, both his own and those of other Grammy artists, that are guaranteed to bring joy to fans of every age. Last weekend’s audience knew every word of the more than 24 numbers performed during the three-hour show and proved it by singing along enthusiastically to all his songs.
“Secret Garden” saw Bird fronting an all-girl seven-member group that included veteran singer Saowalak “Amp” Leelabutr and luk thung star Ying Li Si Chumphon. Ying Li later performed her high-tempo megahit “Kho Chai Thoe Laek Boe Tho” (“Trading Your Heart For My Number”) which, along with Bird's signature tune “Duay Rak Lae Phookphan” (“With Love and Bonding”) were the highlights of the show.
For his “Feather and Flowers” concert, Bird also enjoyed the company of actress Araya “Chompoo” Hargate, pop duo New and Jew, rocker Thanida “Da Endorphin” Thamwimon, and bossa nova star Kanyarat “Lula” Tiyapornchai. The five girls took turns singing with the youthful Bird, who certainly looks and acts far younger than his 54 years. They also forced forces for two medleys before being joined by Amp and Ying Li for a third, in addition to performing solo sets that drew loud applause.
In line with the theme, the seven girls represented different flowers with Da looking particularly dashing as a black rose. New and Jew were the orchids, Lula the daisy, Chompoo the peony, Amp the steel flower and Ying Li a poaceae.
The first medley comprising nine songs was titled “Feather and Flowers” and marked the 1995 concert of the same time staged at the Indoor Stadium.
The second medley that spanned 21 songs was also the longest and featured nine of Bird’s hits. The singer and his guests drew laughter as they teased each other on stage and told the stories of their careers. Amazingly Bird’s own career spans 29 years, just one short of GMM.
Applause and screams greeted Amp as she walked out of darkness to join Da who was performing Amp’s “Kod Dan” (“Pressured”). Amp also duetted with Bird on three other GMM hits written for other artists.
Chompoo sang Palmy's “Kid Mark” (“Thinking Too Much”), before joining her fellow artists for the third and final medley of 10 fast-paced songs that had the crowd up and dancing.
Bird and his six guests bade farewell with a short speech that had the crowds screaming for more before closing out the concert with his eponymous hit “With Love and Bonding” performing from the long arm of a revolving crane that took him closer to the fans.
GMM is planning a third “Feather and Flowers” event in February 22 and 23 with Amp, Siriwimol “Mai” Charoenpura, Marsha Wattanapanich, Christina Aguilera, and Saranya Songsermsawad, all GMM veterans, slated to appear.
