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Fan moves with the times

By Chen Nan (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-10-09 13:28

Mavis Fan doesn't need to look at the album charts or seek out reviews to know that her songs are making a connection with her fans.

"I am surprised to see that people have been so supportive and followed me over the years," she says of her first solo concert in Beijing, which is going to be held next Friday.

Of course, having a best-selling record is reassuring too and Fan has had plenty of them during the past 18 years.

Raised by her mother, Fan started learning flute and piano at 3 years old. After making her debut at 14, the Taiwan singer has had many hit children's songs such as Health Song and Your Sweetness. Her debut album, Your Sweetness, sold over a million copies.

But Fan, now 32, chose to move beyond her little sweet girl label with moody love songs such as You Don't Trust Me At All, Darling and I Want Us To Be Together. She proved herself as a good songwriter and stunned the media with a new image, dyed hair, skinny jeans and tattoos.

Her album I Want Us To Be Together, in 1999, was self produced and won the best pop album at the 11th Taiwan Golden Melody Awards.

The transition was stunning but also painful. Later album sales fell and drew critical comments, even though Fan enjoyed herself with her band.

She performed at Snow Mountain Music Festival last September in Lijiang, Yunnan province. On stage, she looks fragile, free and elegant, just like a classic pop diva.

The solo concert will be a combination of old and new songs, Fan says, emphasizing there will be no more children's songs.

"I love jazz, rock and disco. Every type of music reflects different stages of my life. That was to introduce people to what I want my music to sound like and in time I will be able to do the music I really love," she says.

7:30 pm, Oct 16

Beizhan Theater, 135 Xizhimenwai Dajie, Haidian district, Beijing

6406-9999, 6417-7845