On Wednesday, May 24, Bangkokβs hip gastronomic hotspot The Groove at Central World was more crowded than usual, but not for the reason you may think. There was appetite, all right, but it was for Copenhagen pop sensation Christopher Nissen, better known by stage nameΒ Christopher, who drew a sizable congregation of adoring fans to his first showcase in the city.
Unbeknownst to the public, Christopher was supposed to perform in Bangkok last October before the showcase, along with a long streak of events, was cancelled in the wake of the late Thai kingβs passing. Despite having already wrapped up his Asia tour last year, the 25-year-old heartthrob was determined to deliver the fans what was promised. βI Wonβt Let You Downβ, goes his No. 1 hit off 2016’sΒ Closer, and rest assured he means every word of it.
Β©Warner Music Thailand
The MTV EMAs-winning singer kicked it off with βTwerk It Like Mileyβ, which must have felt anachronistic to virgin ears (has he not heard ofΒ βMalibuβ?). But then the whole thing wasnβt really meant for us Nissen newbies. Christopher kept fans engaged and hyped with the βlet me hear you singββs and βlouder louder!ββs during βI Wonβt Let You Downβ and βCPH Girlsβ. While the latter early solo Timberlake-vibe track is an upbeat ode to the women of his hometown, Christopher knew how to make the nightβs audience feel special, saying: βI have only one thing to say: phom rak khun (I love you)β and, when asked if we can expect his full concert here, βIf itβs gonna be this many people, Iβll have a show tomorrow. I donβt care!β
Following a brief fan-service game where the winners got to hug and take selfies with the pop star, the show progressed to a rawer acoustic set. Joined by a keyboard player, Christopher captured all of The Grooveβs buzzing bistros with catchy ballad βHeartbeat”. But itβs in βNakedβ, stripped from its original R&B synths, that the singerβs high-tenor vocal prowess shone the most. Itβs a shame the first half of the show was committed to club bangers and the platitudes of how βthem girls, they got it”.
The performance ended on a special note. Christopher played new song βTo Meβ, which is an English cover of Boyd Kosiyabongβs βChan Dee Jai Tee Mee Terβ (βIβm Glad I Have Youβ). The prolific Thai singer-songwriter and producer was present to relate how Christopherβs version came about. βWhen Christopher got the song, he didnβt know what the Thai lyrics translate,β said Boyd. βHe wrote the English version based on what the melodies made him feel. And itβs amazing how, lyrically, βTo Meβ turned out to be almost like a direct response to the Thai versionβ.
βThe fact that I wrote something that is that close to the original lyrics just proves that music is the universal language,β added Christopher.
Β©Warner Music Thailand
βTo Meβ, according to Boyd, is expected to drop in the next two weeks. In the meantime, you can stream and download Christopherβs albums, Colors, Told You So and Closer, and latest single βNakedβ on Apple Music and JOOX.
