19th Golden Melody Awards Program: Jay Chou, Jolin Tsai, and Patty Hou Appear-- In a Different Way-- on the Same Stage

The 19th Golden Melody Awards were held tonight at 台北小巨蛋 Taipei Arena; the entertainment for the evening was both brilliant and abundant. The opening routine of the hosts was hilarious: Tao JingYing (TaoZi) cleverly appeared as Machi's oldest brother, Jeff Huang LiCheng, while Dee Hsu (Xiao S) dressed as Jay Chou JieLun, sister Barbie Hsu (Da S) appeared as Jolin Tsai YiLin, and Patty Hou PeiCen rounded out the group as A-mei Chang HuiMei. The "scandal" singers (Double J) thus appeared on stage together in a "different" way, and, together with the witty, comedic dialogue, raised the excitement and "atmosphere" of the audience.

The Golden Melody Awards ceremony typically garners a lot of attention and interest; this year, in addition to the comedic opening routine, the four hosts also imitated the Beatles, performing a purposely weird and exaggerated version of 歡樂年華 [Huan Le Nian Hua] [Age of Happiness].

The first performer of the evening was pop diva A-mei Chang HuiMei. Heading a band and a group of dancers, she performed 永遠的快樂 [Yong Yuan De Kuai Le] [A Happiness For Forever], 壞女孩 [Huai Nu Hai] [Bad Girl], Kiss, and 薇多利亞的秘密 [Wei Duo Li Ya De Mi Mi] [Victoria's Secret]. Wearing a wig, which was fashioned into a punkish updo, A-mei heat up the venue quickly, even exchanging a "Kiss" with one of her band members and bringing her own unique star quality and charm to the Golden Melody stage.

"City Piano Man" Daniel Powter then captivated the audience by performing several songs, singing soulfully while playing the piano. Johnny's Entertainment's Gokusen Trio presented a true-to-origins Japanese idol performance. The members did not forget to say in Mandarin, "We are very happy to be in Taiwan!" and "We really like Taiwan!," thus bringing them closer to their Taiwanese fans.

Yoga Lin YouJia and Aska Yang ZongWei, both singers of the "new" era, performed 天天想你 [Tian Tian Xiang Ni] [Think of You Every Day], 獨上西樓 [Du Shang Xi Lou] [Going Up to the Western Wing By Myself], 機場 [Ji Chang] [Airport], etc., to pay their respects and tribute to these deceased singers. Senior musicians also brought a few classics to the stage: Emil Chau HuaJian sang 明天我要嫁給你 [Ming Tian Wo Yao Jia Gei Ni] [Tomorrow, I Will Marry You], 羅大佑 Luo DaYou performed his own hit, 戀曲1980 [Lian Qu 1980] [1980 Love Song], and 李宗盛 Li ZongCheng sang 我是一隻小小鳥 [Wo Shi Yi Zhi Xiao Xiao Niao] [I Am a Little Bird].

While on stage, award presenter and Hakka artist 劉劭希 Liu ShaoXi complained, "Why are there no Hakka programs in this year's Golden Melody Award ceremony?" AZIO TV, which organized this year's event, explained that, every year, two out of three of the minority languages in Taiwan (MinNan or Hokkien, Hakka, and Native Taiwanese - Aboriginal) are represented in the evening's programs. The languages are rotated from ceremony to ceremony: last year, Hokkien and Haka were used; this year, an aboriginal language and Hokkien were used; next year, Hakka and an aboriginal language would be used.