Interview by Yuki Lei
The Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) has scheduled a performance for about 20,000 spectators at the newly established open-air performance venue in Cotai, set to take place later this month – and in a recent interview with the Post, Lawrence Che Fok Sang, founder and CEO of Chessman Macau, noted that the number of concerts in Macau has surged following the three-year COVID-19 pandemic, but, at the same time, he acknowledged that Macau’s concert development faces challenges in keeping up with both its hardware and software aspects.
Che noted that Macau is currently in the first stage of its concert economy, following the government’s introduction of the concept of “City of Performing Arts” in its 2024 Policy Address to promote concert development. He noted that after the removal of COVID-19-related travel restrictions in 2022, concerts in Macau have become even more “explosive”, with the number of performances this year already exceeding that of pre-pandemic 2019: “Even though there were many performances in 2019, 2023 and 2024 were even more crazy”, highlighting the performances by top artists such as South Korean girl band Blackpink, Hong Kong singer Andy Lau Tak-wah, and mainland Chinese singer Pan Xiaofeng in Macau. He also revealed that another well-known Hong Kong singer, Jacky Cheung Hok-yau, is planning to perform in Macau this year.
Commenting on the new experiences that the government’s open-air venue will bring to the city, he pointed out that its completion has indeed added a new attraction to the concert industry, emphasising its versatility. “We always lacked large-capacity venues before; and the current indoor venues can accommodate only up to 20,000 spectators each. So, if you want to organise a concert for a bigger audience than that, there was previously no venue available,” he said.
He also quoted industry insiders and organisers as appreciating the open-air venue, pointing out that “it is very well built in terms of hardware”, especially as it is double the size of the venue at the Central Harbourfront Event Space in Hong Kong, adding: “This is a microcosm of Macau’s development”.
However, Che was quick to admit that the development of the concert industry in Macau faces some hardware and software challenges that cannot keep up with developments, including issues such as insufficient human resources, a lack of budget hotel rooms, and inadequate transport support: “If the open-air venue begins operation alongside other venues hosting shows simultaneously, the shortage of skilled staff – such as security and cleaning personnel – will become even more acute”.
A preview gig was held at the end of last year at the open-air venue, with Chessman as one of the co-organisers. In this regard, Che pointed out that the trial performance went well, with a relatively manageable turnout of around 10,000 concertgoers, but he also noted that the lack of transport support in the vicinity and insufficient space in the surrounding buffer zone are areas that need to be improved.
Speaking to the Post at his office in Zape on Monday, Che said he agrees that the government should gradually increase the open-air venue’s audience capacity to help understand the impacts and needs of the surrounding areas, “but it could be accelerated a little bit. It’s a little slow right now. We’re going to have two concerts in March and two in May, so we’ll wait and see”. He also expressed concerns about the possible impact if the venue and its supporting facilities were left entirely to the industry itself in the future.
Macau’s potential in concert industry
Overall, he said, Macau has the potential for concert development, but much of the market remains untapped, pointing out that although Macau receives around 30 million visitors each year, it has not done enough to provide “cheaper” accommodation options, leading many visitors to choose Zhuhai including Hengqin as alternatives: “We need to think about how to rationalise Macau’s hotel rates and provide more choices in the middle and high price ranges”.
He emphasised Macau’s potential, pointing out the city’s rich culture and history: “There’s culture and stories here, and there’s a history behind these buildings”. However, he added, there was still room for development in terms of nightlife and dining options, suggesting that the government continue to enhance Macau’s tourism infrastructure, including linking up the city’s six revitalisation quarters, to provide more “good places to go” for tourists.
Referring to the fact that concerts are now mainly geared towards mainland visitors, Che pointed out that in order to attract foreign visitors, “we must provide more reasons for them to want to come to Macau”, adding: “While mainland travellers rely on online platforms such as “rednote” (colloquially also known as “little red book” in English), foreign tourists have different needs and this is a segment of the market that we have yet to tap”.
Che also stressed the need for cooperation between Hong Kong and Macau, pointing out that Macau should learn from Hong Kong’s experience instead of treating it as a competitor, adding he believes that through their respective strengths, the joint development of the two places could attract more tourists, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of the overall market.
Concert economy boosts Macau’s economic value: MIM chief
Meanwhile, IC President Deland Leong Wai Man has revealed that the figures for 2023 show that more than 2,000 large-scale performances were organised by the government and private enterprises, with a total of more than 10,000 performances in various arts and cultural activities, while the number of spectators at large-scale performances and concerts in Macau’s integrated resorts reached over one million, generating about 1.1 billion patacas in box-office takings.
Macau Institute of Management (MIM) President Samuel Tong Kai Chung acknowledged in a telephone interview with the Post last week that while the concert economy accounts for a small portion of Macau’s overall tourism economy, it effectively enhances Macau’s attractiveness as an emerging World Centre of Tourism and Leisure by driving the city’s overall economic development in terms of ticketing, publicity and promotion, as well as merchandise sales and tourist spending.
Tong also said he expected the completion of the large-scale open-air performance venue to have a positive impact on Macau’s economy, encouraging local small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to participate actively in the concert economy, such as by producing souvenirs and engaging in publicity and promotion activities.
According to Tong, the concert economy is an important direction for Macau’s development, but “it is not the only one”. He emphasised the need for Macau to continue to develop and improve the concert economy while, at the same time, developing other sectors and industries, in line with the government’s appropriately diversified economic development strategy known as “1+4”.
According to previous statements by the local government, the “1+4” strategy aims to reinforce Macau’s function as “One Centre” for integrated tourism and leisure, officially known as the World Centre of Tourism and Leisure, while facilitating the development of four emerging industries: big health; modern financial services; high-tech; and conventions, exhibitions, sports, and the commercial and trade industries.
Lawrence Che Fok Sang, founder and CEO of Chessman Macau, poses after Monday’s interview with the Post at his office in Zape. – Photo: Yuki Lei
This file photo shows the Cultural Affairs Bureau’s preview concert at the open-air performance venue in Cotai on December 29.
