Back in 2024, Anh trai ‘Say Hi’ commanded the spotlight with ease as the music reality TV show, created and produced by DatVietVAC Group Holdings, staged eight monumental concerts in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and two in Las Vegas.
In response to the incredible enthusiasm fans showed throughout the reality series, ANH TRAI "SAY HI" - DAY 9: REPLY 2024, which took place on 18 April at Vạn Phúc City, was a heartfelt thank-you to those who supported the show every step of the way. As the Vietnamese pop scene continues to grow, artists in that scene continue to branch out and evolve to put their region's greatest talents on the map, step onto global stages, and spread the joy that flows through their authentic artistry.
Background of the show
When the announcement for the anticipated ninth concert was first unveiled back in March by Vie Concerts fanpage on Threads, fans expressed their excitement, breaking records with the platform’s trending rankings rising to over two million mentions in the following 12 hours. This ninth show reignites the show's immense popularity as it has continued to smash ratings since its debut in 2024.
Anh trai ‘Say Hi’ translates to "Say Hi Never Say Goodbye" and it follows 30 musical talents who are referred to as brothers. In each episode, they participate in challenges and competitions to refine their artistry and become a member of the final band lineup that features the best contestants. Becoming an instant hit, the series has garnered over 18 billion views online, with many of its performances going viral across YouTube, Spotify, and iTunes, and sparking widespread conversation on social media.
Fans often showcased their unwavering support for participants and the show itself as they travelled from abroad to attend concerts and even organise fan events, building a positive and sizable fandom for the show. Due to the show becoming a cultural phenomenon, it quickly earned recognition from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a leading performance programme of 2024 and one of the Top 10 cultural, sports, and tourism events of the year.
The show's outstanding structure and wide reach earned it several awards, such as digital phenomenon of the year at the Vietnam iContent Awards 2024, Golden Apricot Blossom Award, Green Wave 2024, and the title of entertainment phenomenon of the year at Star of the Year 2024.
Gig report
28 of the 30 "brothers" transformed Vạn Phúc City into a high-octane celebration of Vietnamese pop and boundary-breaking musicality. Despite the absence of Anh Tú Atus and Quang Trung due to scheduling conflicts, the remaining talents turned up the heat, delivering the energetic performances the audience had been eagerly awaiting.
The members truly "Never Say Goodbye" as the show was packed with a nostalgic setlist of songs. They opened the concert with a heartfelt promise by performing 'Say Hi Never Say Goodbye.' The show unfolded with Live Stage one that saw the explosive renditions of songs such as 'Hút,' 'Don't Care,' 'Bảnh,' 'ICON,' and 'No Far, No Star.' Live Stage two, on the other hand, brought the vibrant soundscapes of 'You Had Me at Hello,' 'Poet,' 'Love Sand,' 'Halo,' and 'Catch Me If You Can.'
Rounding off the performances, Live Stage three took a more introspective turn with evocative lyrics and wistful melodies in songs like 'REGRET', 'Ngáo ngơ', and 'Cứ để anh ta rời đi'. Fan favourites such as 'The Minute and the Hour', along with performances of 'It’s All Yours', 'Sincere', and 'Walk', created memorable singalong moments for the audience.
Hai Dang Doo, NICKY, Song Luan, Gin Tuan Kiet, and Vu Thinh also brought an amusing twist to 'How to Love the Right Way', featured in You're Beautiful Say Hi. As the final beats of 'A-list Stars' and 'The Stars' reverberated through the venue, the show brought the journey full circle and left a lasting impression on the audience.
Although there was some controversy surrounding the slow ticket sales and changes to the stage location that were being discussed on social media, fans still undoubtedly had a blast during the show.
The overwhelming excitement from fans is a testament to the show's enduring impact, proving that its music, performances, and sense of community continue to resonate long after its original run. As the franchise prepares to return to the stage, the ninth concert promises to be another landmark moment in the ongoing success story of one of Vietnam's most influential entertainment phenomena.
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