Inside the nice surroundings of EartH in Hackney, the stage was set with simplicity: a small table, a chair, soft lighting, and at the centre of it all stood Hong Kong singer moon tang, dressed in a breathtaking purple evening dress.

I Hate You was the first song performed, and from moon’s 2023 album WATER COMES OUT OF MY EYES, her voice – delicate yet surprisingly powerful – delivered something extraordinary. Sung in English, the song sent shivers down my spine; that’s how strong the delivery was. There is something butterfly-like in her stage presence: gentle, graceful, almost fragile, yet capable of leaving an impression with the slightest movement.

The early part of the set was filled with the English repertoire, a welcome choice for someone like me who can’t speak Cantonese. Bad Weather was next, its melancholic tone perfectly suited to the intimate acoustic setting. moon’s voice remained crisp and clear, each note delivered beautifully. Watching her sing, one is reminded that some performers do not need complicated staging. Even with just her and a microphone, she would still sound like a queen.

The calming mood continued with Lately, a song that allowed her voice to stretch and breathe within its own musical arrangement. All I Need Is Just Someone to Love was another superb song that showed her vulnerability. When she moved into the Cantonese repertoire with 戀人絮語 (Lovers’ Whisper), the tone of the concert changed slightly. The lighting played an important role, until only a single spotlight remained on the singer. moon also performed 房屋供應問題 and Floor Plans, songs that continued to display the singer’s exceptional vocal control; her delivery was warm and moving throughout.

She soon returned to English with I Love U, performed while “covered” in almost darkness with powerful red lights. In many ways, this moment summed up the philosophy of the evening: you did not need to see her clearly to feel her presence. Her voice and music played a more vital role. Some Days, as brighter, goldfish-coloured light slowly filled the stage, goosebumps ran through my body. The more you listen to moon sing, the more you can’t get enough of her.

Between songs, she spoke candidly about the emotional change she has experienced in her twenties. “I’m in my twenties now,” she reflected softly, “and there are still parts of myself that I don’t really like sometimes. But I’ve noticed that I change quite quickly through different phases. When I sang a certain song a few months ago, and when I sing it today, it already feels quite different.”

Being in London clearly affected her mood as well. “Today I’m all the way here in the UK, so my mood is really different,” she admitted with a shy smile. “To be honest, I’m actually quite excited, so singing something sad earlier felt a little strange.”

She then introduced a special moment in the set: a cover of So Easy, originally by Olivia Dean. “It’s actually a new cover for me – I’ve never sung it before,” Moon told the audience, then continued, “This song kind of reflects how I’ve been feeling lately.” And what a stunning performance that was!

The artist also added GRWM and Water Comes Out of My Eyes to her setlist. By this point, the singer stole my heart. Her pitch remained perfect, the soft vibrato in place, and her high notes executed with astonishing accuracy. Even at her age, she performs like a veteran on stage. 外星人接我回去 and 未來的歌, although she sang in a language I don’t understand, both sounded wonderful to the ear. At one point, moon picked up an acoustic guitar and introduced the musicians who had supported her along the way. “This is Nick Chiu,” she said with a smile, inviting him to take photos – “just not while I’m singing!” she added jokingly. She explained that both Nick and Justin had known her for years and seen her grow as an artist. “They basically watched me grow up,” she said, laughing slightly. “Many of the songs you hear from me were actually made with them.”

Later, curious about the crowd, she asked where people had travelled from. “Who here is not from London?” she asked. When someone shouted “New York City!” she gasped in disbelief. “New York? You came all the way from New York? Really? How long was the flight?” After hearing the answer, she smiled warmly. “Since you came from so far away, I’ll sing another song for you.” The intimacy of the evening continued with the medley Get Lost / Dear Elissa / Dear Moon, before the charming Favourite Jeans, which she introduced playfully as “a song for those who wear jeans.”

The concert then moved towards its closing chapter with 一口一 (One by One), 趁你旅行時搬走, For You, and 夜闌人靜. The final stretch of the evening brought Hair and 二十五圓舞曲, completing a very successful set. moon’s 25+1 London stop was superb. In a soft purple gown and with minimal instruments, she showed that sometimes the simplest performances are the most powerful.

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Written by Maggie Gogler

Featured image © Kirsten Wah-Finn for View of the Arts

_{View of the Arts is an online publication dedicated to film, music, and the arts, with a strong focus on the Asian entertainment industry. As we continue to grow, we aim to deepen our coverage of Asian music while remaining committed to exploring and celebrating creativity across the global arts landscape.}