Finally after waiting for so long, a chance to watch May’n who was the singing voice of Sheryl Nome in Macross Frontier, perform live and then an autograph session as well as meet and greet session.
Photo taken from her official blog.
Her legions of fans from Singapore had crashed the official website server weeks ago, waiting to buy her concert tickets online. I was one of the lucky few to get the Diamond VIP pass for $118. Sounds like alot right? But up to that point everything seemed worth it, after all I’m a big fan of the series and there was a chance to meet one of the cast.
And so come 23 Nov 08, after all the opening acts which started as early as 6pm, come 715pm finally Sheryl Nome starring May’N came out to meet her fans and sang “Welcome to my fan club’s night”. Oh and the crowd goes wild!
What bout my star, Infinity, Diamond Crevese, Yousei, Northern Cross and Don’t be late were the other songs performed to an anticipating crowd waving her CD singles while dancing to the music. Mind you, those CDs must be imported from Japan as they are not avaliable in Singapore.
Concert ends, and after talking about this event on this blog, talking about it on air like the fan that I am….a line forms as the Diamond VIP holders get ready to meet their star. The CDs come out, the posters come out and………….we get a pre-signed cardboard and to shake her hand. Not even a pre-signed postcard at the very least, something with her photo on it.
No personal photos were allowed, I even asked the organisers and got a straight NO. No points for being a big fan, no points for being a paying fan. You take the cardboard, shake her hand and get off the stage.
http://ejump.wordpress.com/2008/11/23/afa08-day2-mayns-organizers-upsets-the-fan/
The above link features a May’n fan who came all the way from Kuala Lumpur and got a scolding from the organizers for asking May’n or as he describes, begging her to draw a heart on his imported Lion CD single.
Don’t get me wrong, May’N did everything right and for the record I have a really good impression of her, she was very nice, smiled and the best part about her was how she performed on stage as if she was in Japan, full of confidence which I admire in a singer.
So now we come to the question that’s on all our minds, whose fault is it? Not the Japanese side, those cardboards are definately worth abit cos May’N signed them and in Japan that is the culture. So what about all the possible add ons like autographs on CDs? For me, I’m most upset about not being able to get a photo with her.
Sure, there may be an arguement that May’N’s representatives made the stipulations but hey aren’t they in our country, you mean we got pushed over……or is it the organisers got pushed over, the organisers who are from Singapore. In any case, Thank You, seriously………Thank You!
And to end off I’d like to add that the organisers for next year’s event should really get a better emcee, the male host talked to the crowd at one point with his back facing us, no eye contact or effort of eye contact. Walking around the stage reading off a piece of paper showed lack of charisma and stage manners! Not so good representation of our country.
Danker out!
*Latest at 145pm, I received a call from the Director of AFA08, Mr Shawn Chin and I first wanna say I’m very gratefull for the call. Thanks for answering our concerns.
The Singapore representatives for AFA08 say they tried everything possible for CD autographs and Personal photos with May’N. They even proposed polaroid or official photos to be printed but the May’N’s management wanted to maintain that May’N have a rare image in terms of personal photographs as part of their marketing campain for her.
That’s why they didn’t allow personal photographs. As for the cardboard autographs, as mentioned earlier those are valuable because in Japan it’s the culture. So take heart if you feel that you have been short changed. May’N’s Singapore representatives what you to know that she gave those personal autographs with every intention to give you the same value as you would get in Japan.
To end off, I’d like to say that AFA08 was indeed a success but there are misunderstandings due to cultural differences. I guess it’s a lesson for anime fans here and over there to learn, as well as a lesson for Singaporeans and Japanese to learn for a bigger and better AFA09.”
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