TAIWAN: Fans cheered and screamed in wild excitement as Mayday received the highly coveted ‘Best Album’ award from award presenters Fei Xiang (Kris Phillips) and Huang Ying-ying.
Mayday earn six awards out of seven nominations to become the 23rd Golden Melody Awards’ biggest winner. – AFP photo
Dubbed Taiwan’s number one rock band, the five-member band also took home the ‘Best Song of the Year’, ‘Best Band’ and ‘Best Album Producer’ award at the Golden Melody Awards for Asia’s best Mandarin chart music in Taipei on June 23.
On top of that, bassist Masa was awarded the ‘Best Composer’ for ‘Noah’s Ark’, the title song of their latest hit album ‘Second Round’.
Along with musician Chen Chien-ci, Mayday also received the ‘Best Arrangement’ award, making them the biggest winner of the night with six wins out of seven nominations.
“I want to thank our fans who have supported us for the past 13 years and I want to thank the judges,” Mayday vocalist and songwriter Ashin told a cheering crowd in the Taipei Arena.
However, Ashin, who is much loved for his romantic and inspiring work, lost the ‘Best Lyrics’ award to fellow Taiwan’s artiste Wu Xiong.
Singapore’s singer-songwriter Tanya Chua saw off Taiwan pop divas A-Mei and Hebe Tien as well as fellow Singaporean Stefanie Sun to win her third ‘Best Female Singer’ title.
During her speech, the singer expressed, “I feel like I am dreaming, I didn’t expect to win this award again.”
Tanya tearfully dedicated the award to her late father. “Because it’s you who taught me to believe in love, this album is for you,” said Tanya.
‘Best Male Singer’ went to the lesser-known Taiwanese rocker Luantan Ascent, while Ilid Kaolo beat Malaysia’s Jess Lee to win the ‘Best New Artiste’ award.
One third of girl group S.H.E, who finally reunited onstage after 555 days since Selina Ren’s tragic accident, Hebe Tien failed to bring home any trophy despite being nominated for seven awards.
Nonetheless, the singer and her group members put on a fantastic show when they reunited to sing ‘SHERO’ and ‘Superstar’ – the most anticipated performance of the night.
Selina, who had said she wanted to rehearse 100 times before the actual performance so that she wouldn’t cry onstage, was said to break into tears once she returned backstage after the group’s performance.
Performers from Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore competed in more than 20 categories at the 23rd edition of the awards. – bpasiancelebrities
Winners of the major awards:
Best Album: ‘Second Round’ by Mayday
Best Song of the Year: ‘Noah’s Ark’ by Mayday
Best Female Singer: Tanya Chua
Best Male Singer: Luantan Ascent
Best New Artiste: Ilid Kaolo
Best Band: Mayday
Best Arrangement: Mayday, Chen Chien-ci
Best Music Video: ‘Crazy Lonely’
Best Composer: Mayday’s Masa for ‘Noah’s Ark’
Best Lyricist: Wu Xiong for ‘Abba’s Milkfish’
Best Single Producer: Xue Zhong-ming for ‘Those Years’
Best Album Producer: Mayday for ‘Second Round’