TAIWANESE pop rock band F.I.R. have written four new songs especially for Singapore fans.

The songs will debut at their concert at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Aug 8.

The performance is the trio's first ticketed concert outside Taiwan in four years.

Although the group - comprising renowned producer Ian Chen, 37, vocalist Faye Chan, 27, and guitarist Real Huang, 28 - have released four albums and produced numerous radio hits such as Lydia and Our Love, they did not feel they were ready for a live concert, says Chen.

Chen, who was in town recently to promote the concert with Chan, explains: 'We wanted to wait till we have produced enough songs before we open a concert in a foreign country so that we won't have to sing covers.'

And fans will be rewarded for their patience. Chen says: 'With top music arrangements and enough preparation, we promise that it is going to be a blast.'

The concert, which has already sold over 60 per cent of its tickets, promises to be an electrifying affair.

Chan says she will be sporting flamboyant costumes, such as a dress decked out with coloured light bulbs and paired with headgear made of coloured optic fibres which she first wore for the band's concert at the Taipei Arena last October.

They chose Singapore as the first stop of a series of overseas concerts because as Chen says: 'Our band has been here eight times already and we know that our fans have been looking forward to this concert for a long time now.'

After Singapore, F.I.R. will head to Malaysia and Hong Kong for other concerts.

As for local fans, they can look forward to an interactive session with their idols during the concert.

Although the band refuse to reveal more details, they say that this will be their favourite part of the concert as they 'want their fans to feel involved'.

However, the trio's special guest for the night may not be as forthcoming as the band. Famous for being an extremely soft-spoken man with a powerful voice, 20-year-old Jam Hsiao will make an appearance at the show.

The concert, which will be on Aug 8 at 8pm, coincides with the launch of the Beijing Olympic Games. The band picked the date and time as it is a Chinese belief that the number eight brings good luck and Chen says that he hopes both events will be successful.

Chen, who is never seen without his cool shades, adds jokingly: 'I will take off my shades at the concert if the atmosphere is high, something I have never done before in public.'

F.I.R.'s concert, The Tenth Planet, will be at Singapore Indoor Stadium on Aug 8 at 8pm. Tickets at $68, $98, $128 and $148 available at Sistic (go to www.sistic.com.sg or call 6348-5555).

This article was first published in The Straits Times on July 19, 2008.