JJ Lin rocks Malaysia’s stage

A SEA of purple lights filled the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil as Singaporean singer, Lin Jun Jie or better known by his stage name, JJ Lin performed the 24th show of his Sanctuary World Tour. Opening with a number of fast tracks including A Thousand Years Later, Brave New World and Sanctuary, the roar of 9,000 fans filled the arena for their idol.
Lin who last performed in Malaysia five years ago said he missed all his Malaysian fans and even joked if they still remembered him. "I am back now and tonight I will let you experience my change. Tonight you will be acquainted with the new JJ Lin," he said.
A fan of JJ Lin myself, I was there at his concert in 2013 and even though many years have passed, the immense energy he brings to the stage was equal to years before. What has developed is that he has injected greater elements to his show, and the stage definitely caught my eye which would adapt to different settings of each song. From elevated podiums to hovering platforms above the audience, the stage came alive as it performed alongside Lin.
Lin is known for being multi-talented and he surely didn't hold back in displaying his skills. As brisk as his fingers dance across the piano keys in She Says, Remember and Smiling Eyes, he is also deft in playing the acoustic guitar in Paper Clouds and Dimples. Besides brandishing some powerful dance moves in fast tracks, Lin also showcased his rap skills in Tomorrow.
Observing his fans singing along to every song, Lin divulged a little secret to how they can sing the "JJ voice". "The technique to belting out my songs is that you cannot sing too hard; you have to sing it casually but with a high tone," he cheekily said, before demonstrating what he meant.
Lin's performance took his fans on an emotional rollercoaster ride that weaved his energetic and passionate tracks together to make a perfect ending to the night.
"It has been a challenge over the years to balance work and personal life but when times get tough, I know I have my music and I have all of you (his fans). For that reason, I cannot give up – because of all of you, I will continue on with this journey," he said.
Closing the night with River South, Whenever and Twilight when he came back on stage for the encore, the sea of purple traded places with white lights that cascaded throughout the arena symbolising his fans' hopes to be with him on life's adventure.