Sharing the spotlight: Viet Nam Idol 2010 champion Uyen Linh and the prince of love and patriotic music Trong Tan  will participate in the new version of the music series In the Spotlight. — Photos thethaovanhoa.vn

HA NOI (VNS) — The concert series In the Spotlight promises to enrich the North's music calendar with four concerts, performed during the final months of this year.

The concerts, featuring four of the big names in Vietnamese contemporary music - Uyen Linh, Trong Tan, Tan Minh and Thu Minh - are scheduled to start late next month.

"It took us almost half a year for the return of In the Spotlight. This is the first time we dared to announce the full details of all four concerts at the same time," said Tran Thanh Tung, director of My Thanh Co, producers of In the Spotlight. The series won the Cong Hien (Devotion) Music Award 2012 in the Programme of the Year category.

"If the old version of the series was a reflection of the art performance of singers, the new one aims to depict the whole picture of contemporary art, highlighting individualism and musicianship, as well as maximising talents and the quintessence of the artists on stage," said Tung, addressing a press conference on Thursday.

"The coming concerts will enable singers to present different types of music, from jazz, pop, rock and so on. Also, they are likely to create fresh angles [through their performance] for their fans," noted Tung.

Additionally, the champion of Viet Nam Idol 2010, Uyen Linh, will perform on stage with noted rock figure Pham Anh Khoa during the first concert on August 20.

"My colour and persona needs a difference and strength as rock and Khoa," said Linh, who had had the chance to share the stage with many other popular singers, including Thanh Lam and Ha Tran.

"After four years of upheavals, such music is no longer simple, but somehow strong and light. And I would like my fans to see my maturity," Linh added.

Trong Tan, who is considered the "Prince of love and patriotic music", will follow with his concert on September 20.

Besides works that have made his name popular, the tenor will perform light music. Tan and the show's invited guest, senior singer Hong Kien, will also reintroduce some lyrical folk songs.

According to the organiser, the contribution of singer Tan Minh in the third concert on November 11 might be seen as a great surprise for audiences. After nearly 20 years of performing, Minh will have a show of his own for the first time.

Known for his professionalism, Minh has appeared in numerous shows, small and large, and is known for his dedication to his lyrical music genre. Also, he is famous for love songs composed by Phu Quang and Do Bao, among others.

"My time ripens. Although I'm not such a "hot" name who can help sell out tickets, it's important that I was chosen. What organisers expected, I would surely deliver, so I'm convinced the programme will succeed," said Minh.

Another first-time attendee of In the Spotlight is the HCM City-based Thu Minh, who wraps up the series on December 19.

"I was born in Ha Noi, where I will have my first-ever solo show. I will do much more than what fans used to see and think of me, not just dance, shouting, and over-enthusiasm," said the female pop singer.

"Each participating singer will represent a different piece of colour in the current Vietnamese music market. However, they all show enthusiasm, devotion and seriousness in artistic practice, and dare to take challenges to pursue their dreams," the art director of the series, musician Hong Kien, said.

"We do hope this will be a strong motivation for the Vietnamese music industry to develop and become much more professional," he added.

All concerts will take place at the Friendship Cultural Palace, 91 Tran Hung Dao Street, Ha Noi. — VNS