On June 12, 1998, Jeff Chang captivated audiences with his inaugural major concert in mainland China at the Shanghai Indoor Stadium, aptly titled “Dream Comes True.” Little could he have predicted that 26 years later, in 2024, he would triumphantly bring the ultimate 'Continuum' version to a crowd of 80,000 at Shanghai Stadium.
The recent April showcase in Shanghai marked the debut of the ultimate “Continuum” edition. Despite the acclaim garnered by the six-year “Continuum” tour, the transition from versions 1.0 to 2.0 and now the ultimate version, Jeff Chang admits to occasionally experiencing a vague, inexplicable “sense of helplessness.” “Last year's tour was a resounding success, however some critics suggested that our performance might not suit our generation of singers.”
Some consider classic concepts to be relics of the past, valuable only to evoke nostalgia. This perspective was one of the driving forces behind Jeff Chang's decision to start the 'Continuum' concerts: “My goal is to guide audiences towards a more mature appreciation of music, challenging established perceptions along the way.”
Of course, the Shanghai Stadium is just 100m away. from the Shanghai Indoor Stadium. However, for Jeff Chang, this distance represents a 26-year odyssey. Reflecting on this journey in “Continuing”, Jeff Chang remarked, “I've been walking this 100m distance for 26 years!” This metaphor succinctly encapsulates his unwavering devotion to music, with music being the cornerstone of his endeavors throughout his 35-year career.
Starting for the future together with the public
Opening the concert of the ultimate “Continuum” version is Jeff Chang's 2000 hit “Faith”. His unwavering passion for music embodies a spirit of “warm and courageous” faith. Perhaps it is this unwavering faith in music that brings Jeff Chang and his fans together at the “Continuum” concerts, where they experience the soul-stirring power of Jeff Chang's voice that resonates with the vitality of life itself.
“As a singer of some seniority, my audience is already deeply familiar with my songs. we've grown and supported each other,” reflects Jeff Chang. “I aspire for my musical journey and growth to keep pace with the progress of my fans, rather than standing still. The 'Continuum' concerts were designed to show fans that my music will not only remain in memories and nostalgia, but will start a new future alongside everyone.”
“Each part of the 'Continuum' concert has a message that we want to convey to the audience. We have carefully selected songs that have significant meaning in my music career, even if they are not the most popular hits. In each of my albums, I aim to convey ideas, concepts and musical knowledge. Through the overall arrangement of the concert, I hope to convey the concept of “starting the future together with the audience”.
Ending one chapter, beginning another
The term “absolute” in Jeff Chang's “Continuum” concert means that this six-year “Continuum” tour is finally coming to a perfect end. “'Continuum' has been a long journey and it's time for a dramatic end. There are other musical endeavors that are just as important to me.”
Completing a stage means starting a new chapter. The final version “Continuum” serves as a gentle reminder from Jeff Chang, urging us to take every opportunity to gather offline and experience the music before the final show arrives.
As the first Chinese singer to perform in Dubai, the Dubai stop of the ultimate version of 'Continuum' in June holds significant significance for Jeff Chang. “We are committed to making it happen in Dubai. Sometimes, overseas promoters prefer a simplified concert where the singer just plays and everything else is automated. But that's not enough for me. I want to completely recreate the 'Continuum' experience in shows abroad.”
If he could dream big, where would Jeff Chang choose to host the final “Continuum” concert? Surprisingly, his answer is Easter Island, located in the South Pacific: “It's like the 'navel of the world', it's far from all the continents. Doing a concert on Easter Island would really be the 'ultimate' experience, like singing on the edge of the world for all to hear.”
Embrace the Future
After completing all the performances of the 'Continuum' ultimate edition, Jeff Chang will focus on creating a new album. It has been three years since the release of his last album Look at the light, and Jeff Chang, along with his devoted fans, is eagerly awaiting the arrival of this new work. “Right now, the songs for the new album are almost finalised, with about 80% of the tracklist already decided.”
For him, the biggest challenge of this new album lies in the significantly increased proportion of “non-love songs”. “On the new album, I might cut back on the love songs and express more of my opinions and feelings about the world. I feel like my old classic love songs have already encapsulated most emotional states. So I think it's time to start singing about things beyond love, using the album to convey broader ideas.”
Jeff Chang describes the new album as an adventurous situation “taking a step forward” outside his comfort zone. Compared to his previous love songs, the new album will be more critical and a more meaningful expression of the Aries personality. “In the past, my love songs were observational, simply singing the feelings of the protagonist. But this time, I will stand in a clearer perspective of 'Jeff Chang', to openly express my own attitude and be more subjective.”
The backstage machinery of the 'Continuum' concert is complex, with over 20 elevators waiting for the performer to take the stage. You go up and down the elevators, it's like dealing with the peaks and valleys of life – that's the norm for a singer. From the beginning to the present and into the future, Jeff Chang and the audience have always been there. the show never stops.
Billboard China
– Written by Jifan Wang for Billboard China
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/jeff-chang-billboard-china-cover-story-interview-continuum-tour-1235689385/
