WHAT: The Answer Is... Stefanie Sun World Tour 2009

VENUE: Singapore Indoor Stadium

ATTENDANCE: 7,500

WHEN: Last Saturday, 8.30pm

HOME-GROWN singer Stefanie Sun's concert last Saturday was more - so much more - than just a triumphant return for the songstress, who has not performed here since 2006.

At her three-hour sold-out show, she dazzled with extravagant pyrotechnics as she danced, and had no fewer than seven costume changes, which included a glittery golden dress with a blonde bob wig and golden boots.

She bantered, too, with her dancers from Hong Kong and, at one point, asked her enraptured audience: "Do you want to shout Stefanie Sun, I love you?"

The entire stadium gleefully obliged, in a roar that was lifted from the 7,500 in attendance.

For one fan, 29-year-old engineer Dave Weng, who had attended Sun's last three concerts here, this performance showed that she has hit superstardom.

Describing the concert as "near-perfect", he said that "her stage presence has matured a lot from the last concert in 2006...and the glitter and bling made her look like Anita Mui".

Another fan, assistant manager Serene Ang, 28, gushed that Sun showed she was on a par with other big names like Zhang Hui Mei and Wang Lee Hom.

But, putting the glitz and glam aside, it was Sun's vocals that really made the night memorable.

It remained strong and unwavering during faster tunes like First Day and Green Light, which saw the crowd surging to its feet, with people frantically waving their lightsticks to the beat.

During slow ballads like I'm Not Upset and Encounter, her vocals were so haunting that the crowd was moved to sing woefully along. Yes, Sun is definitely back, and better than ever.

joyfang@sph.com.sg

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