Rex Orange County was the mid-week pick-up everyone needed.
Thankfully, we had English singer-songwriter Alexander James O'Connor to grace us with good vibes. In his first-ever concert in Singapore, Rex Orange County tugged at our heartstrings and touched our souls. With his soothing vocals, tender songwriting, and mesmerising stage sets, we were pulled into a whirlwind of emotions across his 21-track setlist.
As we entered the theatre, a projection of a smiling sun and crescent moon against the drawn curtains caught our attention. Even before the ‘Pluto Projector’ singer appeared on stage, The Star Theatre radiated with warm and friendly energy which felt like home.
As the lights dimmed, he emerged on stage and kickstarted the show with a laid-back performance of ‘Rex (Intro)’, the first track off his debut album, Bcos U Will Never B Free. By the song's end, the curtains pulled away to reveal his touring band and a change of scenery – a Dalmatian-print background. Rex Orange County continued with ‘Television / So Far So Good’ and ‘10/10’, as he turned up the tempo.
As he took a short breather from the opening performances, Rex Orange County said: “I’m so happy to be here honestly, thank you so much for having me here.” He then talked about the sequence of the opening set, where he sang the songs from his first three albums in ascending order. When the ethereal violin soundscape surfaced, he continued: “Now this one right here is from my fourth album by the name of WHO CARES?. Now, Singapore, if you know any words to this song will you sing with me tonight?”, before breaking into ‘AMAZING’.
The concert continued with notable hits like ‘Sunflower’, ‘Face to Face’, ‘UNO’, ‘ONE IN A MILLION’, ‘THE SHADE’, and ‘4 Seasons’, which called the audience in the sold-out theatre on their feet.
Within the theatre walls, it was safe for us to be vulnerable and open up about our feelings. As Rex Orange County serenaded us with his songs of love, self-discovery, and heartbreak, it was the perfect space to heal and reminisce about past memories.
As the curtains pulled to a close, we were left alone with him and his red keyboard under the spotlight: “It’s just you and me now. Is it okay if I play some songs by myself?”. Time slowed down as we held our cellphone lights up in the air and were transported to a solemn and intimate journey with ‘Always’, ‘Happiness’, ‘Untitled’, and ‘Corduroy Dreams’.
Just when we thought that nothing else could surprise us, the curtains finally parted to reveal mirror balls hanging from the ceiling. The rest of the set saw a mix of classic singles, new releases, and Rex Orange County prancing across the stage.
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When ‘Best Friend’ came around, he told us a story about the time he fell in love with someone who didn’t feel the same way. Known as one of his top hit singles from 2017, we couldn’t help but break into song. But before he hooked us into the chorus, he paused to request for two things: to keep this moment between us (“no phones, no cameras, just us as human beings”), and to sing our hearts and lungs out – which we gladly abided to. This secret moment will forever be etched in our core memories.
“I’m actually f*cking sad because it’s the end of the show and I gotta go. But, I will be a hundred, million, billion, trillion, percent coming back to Singapore. I love you, thank you, and I will see you guys next time. My name is Rex Orange County,” he said before ending his set with ‘It’s Not the Same Anymore’, and the ever so dreamy ‘Pluto Projector’ during the encore.
Although it was our first time meeting him in the Lion City, it felt like we reunited with a long-lost best friend and spent the day in a heart-to-heart exchange. After the show ended, the reality is that life will still be filled with uncertainties. But at least we found solace in the sincere sound trip of Rex Orange County, which will now be a comforting reminder that no matter how hard it gets, everything will be alright.
Rex Orange County Asia Tour 2023 in Singapore setlist:
- Rex (Intro)
- Television / So Far So Good
- 10/10
- AMAZING
- Sunflower
- Face to Face
- UNO
- ONE IN A MILLION
- THE SHADE
- 4 Seasons
- Always
- Happiness
- Untitled
- Corduroy Dreams
- KEEP IT UP
- IF YOU WANT IT
- Never Enough
- BEST FRIEND
- Loving is Easy
- It’s Not The Same Anymore
- Pluto Projector (Encore)
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