Amber Liu
18th March 2024
The Tuning Fork, Auckland, New Zealand.
Review by Georgette Singer with photography by Doug Peters.
Three words to describe Amber Liu: Feisty, charming and humble.
Any music lover will agree that the saying “never meet your idols” teeters in the mind when attending a gig. Will they be as kind and approachable as they seem online? Will they live up to the hype? I’m ecstatic by the revelation that Amber Liu not only met my personal expectations… she blew them away!
Entering The Tuning Fork, I’m met with deep red and orange glowing bulbs, long red velvet draping curtain walls, and murmurs of excitement swirling around me from fellow K-pop lovers and indie and pop fans, who have come from all corners of Aotearoa. As the doors swing open, the crowd runs to the barricade, and Amber’s hardcore fans solidify their places to see her up close and personal. Light sticks glow in the audience – an essential item for any fan attending a show with K-pop roots – but not your standard glow stick. Amber’s merch is specially designed for her dedicated fanbase, featuring her name in neon and chosen animal representative – a llama, and I take full advantage in buying one to add to my ever-growing (ever-glowing) collection of high-tech, multi-function light sticks. An orange hue fills the audience as my fellow attendees do the same.
Amber’s background began in the K-pop industry, debuting as a member of the South Korean girl group f(x) in September 2009. Since then, she has made her own way, writing her own path and taking us on a journey of deep self-discovery as a singer-songwriter. Amber’s discography is a whole experience for your senses and emotions.
The lights go dark, the audience parts down the middle, and every phone available is raised high above the crowd to capture the beginning of her set. Amber sprints from the back of The Tuning Fork through an excited crowd, arms reaching out to greet her, and she explodes onto the stage with immense passion and energy. She’s finally here!!
Punching the air and belting out her first three tracks, Amber brings two dancers onstage for the full experience we Kiwis deserve. Waiting years to see your favourite overseas artists is always worth it when the energy they bring is phenomenal. Amber showcases her flawless vocals alongside her polished choreography, and the crowd roars louder. Fans sing along to ‘Hands Behind My Back’ (a personal favourite of mine!) as she moves effortlessly around the stage. Dressed in a casual-cool light blue overshirt, black tank, black pants and heavy Dr Martins style shoes, an excited audience screams for the cheeky star who is no newbie to fan service with a smile.
I’m charmed, maybe a bit smitten. I’m a bit breathless from dancing in the crowd, and at this point, I think, “I need to save my energy to make it through her powerhouse two-hour showcase!”
Continuing to charm the audience, Amber takes a quick water break, and it’s at this time we hear from the singer what every audience longs for, “Why are you all so nice? Everywhere I go, everyone in New Zealand is so, so nice!”
“It’s in our DNA!” someone shouts back, and the crowd all cheer and shout loving remarks for Amber. Amongst her diehard fans, a chant in Mandarin starts up. The tri-lingual (polyglot is more accurate!) star replies, and her fans go wild. Next up, Korean fans call out, and as cheeky as ever, Amber implies, “모르겠어요” (roughly translating to “I don’t know”), but we all know – she knows and is exceptionally talented not just in music but at connecting with her fans across the globe. Fans call out encouraging words in Cantonese, Japanese and English. She is truly loved worldwide.
The smaller, intimate setting of Tuning Fork was the perfect way to experience Amber’s raw vocals. Her stability was unreal whilst hitting high notes among demanding choreography and a full range of dynamic performances with her two high-energy dancers. “This is a space to be exactly who you are”, she tells the crowd before launching into her next song, and another personal favourite of mine, ‘neon (feat. PENIEL)’. I let myself go and jump around again with the crowd, singing loudly with my friends. ‘ILY’ is next, and the vibes are perfect.
“The next song is super cringy”, she jokes with us, and we all get ready to hear her huge hit ‘Three Million Years’. The song, she explains, “was written for someone, but when I presented it to them, I was shot down”. The crowd empathetically boos this person who dares deny the beautiful Amber, but she continues, “When it was released, you all liked it so much, and some fans used it as their wedding song, so you forced me to love this one”.
Treated to unreleased demos, the crowd shrieks their requests for more, and we are awarded with two new tracks. My favourite – am I allowed to tell you? Shhhh, keep this a secret! – it would have to be the 80’s rocking vibe of her new song ‘Laser Tag’. I’m waiting anxiously for its release!
Breathless from giving it her all but still determined, Amber slows down the tempo, and we all join her on memory lane to revisit some of her slower ballads.
“These songs were written at a time when I lost someone close to me. I was in my head and didn’t know how to process a lot of the pain and anger, but writing these songs helped me to express myself. I need you to know you should never give up on yourself. You’re not alone”.
It’s at this point I can feel my eyes welling up, and I am so grateful for idols who are unapologetically raw. Sharing such dark times in a room full of the new generation, who often feel lost and need guidance, fills me with hope. It could be the saving grace someone needs to hear, and for that, I’m beyond impressed by Amber’s message. Her vocals fill the room once more, and we all sway in time from side to side.
“Encore! Encore!” we request in unison. Saving the best for last, my favourite song, ‘PARADISE’, ends Amber’s set, and she promises to return again.
If I had a click counter, pressing it each time Amber stopped to tell her fans just how grateful she was for them, it would be broken. As humble as ever, this international star thanked her audience hundreds of times, and amongst the jokes and the profound lyrics shines an unwavering, beautiful soul. Her music matches every part of the same sentiment.
Amber’s music will make you feel.
Feel happy, feel energised, feel motivated, and feel sad. Because we need that, in today’s world.
Were you there at the Tuning Fork for this high energy pop gig? Or have you seen Amber Liu perform live somewhere else before? Tell us about it in the comments below!
Note: Ambient Light was provided passes to review and photograph this concert. As always, this has not influenced the review in any way and the opinions expressed are those of Ambient Light’s only.
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