Eason’s first visit to Europe yields success 陳奕迅倫敦記者會

Eason Chan Yick-shun, a multi-award winning and record-breaking Hong Kong artist, received a warm welcome from the UK media in London yesterday afternoon.

Casually dressed in a plain white T-shirt, loose purple trousers and a long black scarf, the 35-year-old singer was surprised to learn he was the first Chinese artist to perform in Royal Albert Hall in over three decades, when informed by the MC.

Having impressed a full house of loyal fans in London, Eason explained he enjoyed the experience and felt there was more audience interaction than his concerts in Hong Kong. He was thankful to be allowed to entertain his audience for more than 90 minutes – common duration of concerts in the UK – and said he hoped to return to the UK in the future.

At the end of the press conference, Eason received The Big Ben Awards from the British Chinese Youth Federation in recognition of his remarkable achievement and incomparable prominence in Britain’s Chinese community. He remained humble and said he never imagined he would be where he is today. “I’ve always loved singing and I became a singer because it was my passion. I never thought I would make it this far, standing here in front of you all.” As he raised his glass of champagne to toast his success in Europe, Eason continued to show gratitude: “Teamwork is beautiful! Cheers!”

Eason and his band, Mr., will bring their music and enthusiasm to the Apollo in Manchester tomorrow and Rotterdam on May 8. Despite being a Manchester United fan, Eason confessed to having never been to Manchester and very much looked forward to meeting his fans there.

Eason’s sold-out tour in the UK is indeed long-awaited by the 800,000-strong local Chinese population, for it has been over three decades since a prominent Chinese artist has performed in the UK. The first ever Chinese artist to perform in the venue was the late Roman Lam, who visited the UK in 1979.

Eason Chan has led an overwhelming career that spans over almost two decades. Upon winning the New Talent Singing Competition organised by a prominent record company in Hong Kong in 1995, Eason embarked on a journey of producing unique and outstanding music and entertaining audience from Asia to America. Prior to his Europe Tour, Eason concluded his sixth record-breaking DUO concert at the Hong Kong Coliseum.