The boys are in town. How do we know? From the moment we step out of the MRT station, our ears are lambasted with the high-pitched shrieks of a million girls – okay, maybe more like 30,000. Argh, we forgot our earplugs. On our way to the National Stadium, we pass by an usher every few metres, steering us the right way. There’s only one direction to go. We overhear distressed parents worriedly pleading with their adolescent daughters to please, please find them at the pre-planned meeting point if they get lost. The girls aren’t even listening. Their eyes are shining, radiant with the fervour of an infatuated tween coming face-to-face with their number one idol for the first time. We know, we were once in their shoes.
Photo: Aloysius Lim | Lushington Entertainments
With a twinge of trepidation, we tread gingerly into the stadium. Immediately, we’re greeted by the roar of a crowd that has been buzzing since queues started at midnight. Our legs feel a little wobbly going down the stairs into the standing pit. It looks like almost every seat has been snatched up, with feverish faces staring back at us right up to the highest bleachers. We spot all kinds of people in attendance, from excited little kids to resigned boyfriends to middle-aged babysitters with a look of tolerance in their eyes. They did perk up gradually and eventually started bopping along to the music. Of course, the bulk of the screams are coming from the teens and tweens who, no doubt, plan to marry one of the five dudes when they grow up. Did we mention one of them was clutching a sign boldly proclaiming, ‘Ready to run into your pants’?
Photo: Aloysius Lim | Lushington Entertainments
After an hour-long karaoke session, the lights finally go down. One Direction appears. It’s instant madness. They gush, ‘You guys have given us the most incredible reception!’ Crowd goes wild. They douse themselves with water. Crowd goes wild. We won’t lie – we were a little terrified of the power these guys wielded over the kids. Someone says, ‘It’s so hot in here!’ Crowd goes wild. Then they yell, ‘Singapore, scream!’ Crowd goes wilder. We didn’t even think that was possible.
Photo: Aloysius Lim | Lushington Entertainments
Wait, what’s happening? We feel ourselves starting to sway with the music. By the time we get to ‘One Thing’, we’re singing – no, shouting – along. Dammit, it’s so catchy. ‘So get out, get out, get out of my head/ And fall into my arms instead!’ We feel a rush of adrenaline. There’s no turning back. ‘And we danced all night, to the best song ever!’ We knew every line – ‘At this point, we’re undeterred, flailing our arms along to the bubblegum pop. We look at the kids next to us and suddenly, we’re all best friends, bouncing together like we’re young again. ‘BEST SONG EVER!’ Sorry, we’re only screaming ’cause this has got to be, hands down, the most deafening concert we’ve ever been to. Now excuse us while we go make some ‘Midnight Memories’ and, you know, ‘Live While We’re Young’.