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#SHOWBIZ: Taufik Batisah announces farewell concert after two decades

#SHOWBIZ: Taufik Batisah announces farewell concert after two decades

SINGAPORE: Twenty-one years after being crowned Singapore's inaugural Singapore Idol champion, singer Taufik Batisah is finally set to perform his first solo concert.
However, the show, titled "Taufik Batisah: One Last Dance" and scheduled for Oct 25 at The Star Theatre, will also mark his final solo performance, as he intends it to be a one-off event.
"I strive to achieve clarity in my work and life," Taufik, 43, explained in a recent interview with The Straits Times.
"You have to be clear with your intentions, and you have to just work towards that intention."
Beyond his music career, Taufik is also a property agent, actor, and co-owner of the interior design company Ivory Cove.
He also creates social media content with his wife and manager, Sheena Akbal, 40.
"If there are invites to shows here and there, if they still want me, I'll probably consider them," he added, alluding to potential future appearances.
The idea for a solo concert first emerged in 2018, but Taufik's busy schedule put it on hold.
It was Sheena, whom he married in 2015, who consistently encouraged him to commit to the project.
"She told me, 'You have to commit to it. Do it for the fans because they've been asking for the longest time.'"
Taufik admits that headlining The Star Theatre, which boasts a capacity of 5,000, is "scary," particularly as he will be the first Singaporean Malay solo act to take the stage there on his own.
"We have to be very realistic (about filling up the venue), but we're hoping for the best. We plan to give the fans the best experience."
Plans for the upcoming show, which is expected to run for at least 90 minutes, began to materialise earlier in 2025 following discussions with fellow home-grown singer Sufi Rashid, who runs SAH Entertainment.
Backed by a full orchestra, Taufik's set list will span his extensive music career.
This will include his Singapore Idol finale number, 'I Dream' (2005), the cover songs he performed as a contestant in the 2004 reality singing competition, and popular Malay radio hits such as 'Usah Lepaskan' (Don't Let It Go), a ballad from his 2006 sophomore album, All Because Of You.
"There will be moments where I hope [the fans] will feel as emotional as I will be when I'm on stage," he shared.
"I want to take them on a journey of what they have given me in the past 20 years because, ultimately, this is a concert for the supporters."
Taufik also expressed an interest in a joint concert with the two Singapore Idol winners who succeeded him: Hady Mirza, who won the second season in 2006, and Sezairi, the winner of the third and final season in 2009.
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