The Straits Times, Singapore, August 30, 1993

A blistering concert
from a cool Jacko

MICHAEL Jackson, braving the heat on stage and at home over alleged child molest charges, put on a performance that had the 45,000 crowd at the National Stadium on their feet for two hours yesterday.

With several air-cooling units blasting jets of cool air at him through gratings beneath the stage, he showed no signs of strain during his concert yesterday.

The performance was packed with laser effects and pyrotechnics, mixing the live action on stage with video clips projected on two huge screens.

"Jacko fever" began building at the stadium long before the concert began -crowds began gathering as early as 10 am, hoping to be among the first to be allowed in to grab the choice seats in the free-seating $ 65 gallery area.

Jackson made a grand entrance on stage at 8.30 pm in a blast of pyrotechnics and a shower of golden sparkles as he kicked off the show with his hit song, Jam.

In a move that surprised the megastar, his band broke into Happy Birthday -Jackson turned 35 yesterday -just as he was preparing for his second number.

Screaming fans who had practised the "Kallang Wave" for about an hour before the concert started were not disappointed as Jackson was at his best yesterday, and displayed no ill-effects from his Bangkok concerts, where he suffered dehydration.

"His dancing was excellent. He was so smooth," said 21-year-old polytechnic student Samantha Chan.

The songs Jackson belted out yesterday spanned his career, from his days as a member of the Jackson 5 to his latest multi-platinum effort, Dangerous.

Jackson hits the stage again tonight for the last of his two shows here.