Last night Avril Lavigne became the first performer to give the Wukesong Stadium a work out as a live music venue and, according to reports in today’s Beijing papers, the Olympic Basketball venue saw quite a show. Lavigne kicked off the performance, the last of her six-city tour of China, with her popular “Girlfriend” and the audiences responded by rushing forward to the VIP area in front of the main stage. Three songs in to the 70-minute performance, things became a little chaotic with barriers in front of the stage being bent out of shape by crazed fans. The stage lighting was turned off and the concert was forced to pause for eight minutes as staff standing on the stage asked the crowd to return to their seats. After fans had returned to the stands, the Canadian punk-pop princess continued on with the show. Reports suggest that the crowd control problems stemmed from more than just excitable fans but were also exacerbated by the poor lay out of the venue. The crowd simply filled the large amount of empty space at the center of the stadium and little security had been set up to prevent them from doing so. You can take a look at a video of the chaotic scenes here.

Avril Lavigne

RMB 200-1,600.

7.30pm. Wukesong Indoor Stadium

Before touching down in Beijing, the Beijinger's Managing Editor Lisa Liang talked to the platinum-selling artist about her upcoming tour. The interview first appeared in the October issue of the Beijinger magazine and is reproduced below.

the Beijinger: Your first-ever show in China, back in 2007, sold-out. Did you realize that so many people here were listening to your music?

Avril Lavigne: I was surprised to see there were so many people supporting me in China. I was told apart from the people inside, there were another 7,000 standing outside the venue, just listening. That’s amazing.

tbj: Did the success of that first show influence why you’re now returning to do a countrywide tour?

AL: My last show in Shanghai had definitely driven me up to the position of doing a China tour this year. I didn’t expect to see so many fans there but it turned out to be one of the biggest moments for me in 2007. The whole crew – my band, dancers, everyone – was so proud and happy with what we had in Shanghai and China.

tbj: You come across as anti-establishment, a bit of a rebel. What do you think it is about your image that appeals to a Chinese audience?

AL: I always try to be honest to myself, in my life and music. That’s the most important thing to me. If people think I’m rebel, then I am. I think people like me because they feel encouraged [because] I’ve done what they want to do.

tbj: You’ll be one of the first international acts to come to the capital city after the Olympics. Did you follow the Games at all?

AL: I watched some events on TV when I wasn’t doing any shows. I can recognize several Chinese athletes’ names like Yao Ming and Liu Xiang – they’re huge international names. The Beijing Olympics were an overwhelming success, and I believe a lot has changed since my last visit. I am looking forward to seeing more of the country this time.

tbj: What’s going to be different about your show this time around?

AL: Well, last year I was in Shanghai to promote my new album, so I had limitations when it came to choosing the songs. This time, it will be a real, full-set concert. I will be able to pick from a wider range of songs, and from all three of my albums. I will play guitar, play a giant pink piano, play drums and dance. It’ill be a lot of fun.

tbj: From your experience performing in Shanghai, what do you expect to be similar or different on this tour?

AL: I always want my next show to be different, but it’s not easy to work that out when you travel around with the same band, dancers and arrangements. However, you still have chances to be inspired, either by a new place you are in for the first time, or by the fans there. For example, I learned how to sing “Girlfriend” in Chinese before I actually came to this country. When I’m really there, meeting Chinese people and singing for my Chinese fans, the language becomes [even more] vivid. That’s how important visiting a new place is to me. It always brings me to new inspirations.

tbj: Have you any thoughts about the new cities – Macau, Chengdu, Lijiang and Beijing – you’re going to be performing in this time around?

AL: Actually, I am doing Chongqing on Sep 30 now instead of Chengdu. I was told there were some more earthquakes recently so we have to move the city for safety. I will be working with my promoter in China and a major charity organization under the Chinese government to make some donations to Sichuan. Exploring new cities is always part of the fun of touring. I know I am going to some really great cities of the country – like the capital, which just hosted the Olympic Games. I wish I could have time to visit the new sports facilities. I’ve seen a few on TV and they’re incredible.

tbj: What is the best/worst thing about performing in a new place?

AL: The best thing is knowing you have people’s love and respect, even in a new place. The worst thing is not being able to remember the name of the place! I have my own trick now – I’ll write down the city I am in on a small piece of paper before I go on stage.
 

Links and Sources

Enorth.com.cn: 艾薇儿北京个唱暂停8分钟 翻跟斗秀舞技(组图) (images)

Eastday.com: 歌迷太过热情冲下看台 艾薇儿个唱暂停8分钟

QQ: 歌迷失控导致演出中断 艾薇儿京城收官世界巡演

Baidu: Videos of the concert