Singapore to host AKB48’s first overseas 3-in-1 concept project

For those Singaporean readers out there, I created a new blog for Japanese Idols that come to Singapore (that includes AKB48 of course).
http://aidorusg.blogspot.com/

The content for this post is the same as in AidoruSG (only for this post, with maybe a few exceptions). Be sure to check out AidoruSG regularly!

Anyway my comments will be here:
Have to say, $50 is quite cheap for the price. I was definitely expecting much more, around the $80 range. $50 accounts to 3324yen. In the AKB48 Theater, ticket pries are 3000yen for males, and 2000yen for females. So each of us is only paying 324yen for all the girl's flights, lodging and food. Not to mention their staff and camera crews too! Sure, $50 seems expensive, but if you count all those stuff mentioned in, I'd even go as far as to say that price is a bargain.

Singapore has been picked to house AKB48 and their sister group’s first overseas theatre where concerts will be performed on a regular basis, in a similar format to Japan’s. The world’s first AKB48 Café, as well as South-east Asia’s first AKB48 Official Shop, will also be set up in Singapore.  This exciting project will be housed at *SCAPE – a building in the heart of Orchard Road designed for youth talent development and a melting pot of youth culture.


Japan’s top idol girl group sensation, AKB48, announced today its intentions to develop a multi-sensory J-pop experiential project in Singapore. Starting this month, Singapore has been picked to house AKB48 and their sister group’s first overseas theatre where concerts will be performed on a regular basis, in a similar format to Japan’s. The world’s first AKB48 Café, as well as South-east Asia’s first AKB48 Official Shop, will also be set up in Singapore.  This exciting project will be housed at *SCAPE – a building in the heart of Orchard Road designed for youth talent development and a melting pot of youth culture.

AKB48 Theatre in Singapore
Famous for their trademark theatre-style sell-out performances in Akihabara, Singaporeans now can also experience the appeal of AKB48’s “live” concerts on a regular basis. Starting 15 May 2011, around 16 members of AKB48 and their sister groups (SKE48, NMB48, SDN48) will fly to Singapore for each concert at the *SCAPE Warehouse. The artistes are expected to be in town for two days in a month, with two performances lined up each day, in 2011. The line-up of the AKB48 members performing will only be released shortly on the official website (www.akb48.com.sg) before each concert. Each ticket is priced at $50 and can be booked on the official website and purchased at the AKB48 official shop. The first “live” concert of the series will be held on 15th May, at 3pm & 7pm respectively.

AKB48 Official Shop in Singapore
Fans who have been asking their friends and family to buy AKB48 official merchandise can all heave a sigh of relief. The first AKB48 Concept Store in South-east Asia will open in Singapore in May. Members of the public will be able to find merchandise direct from Japan, as well as exclusive limited-edition AKB48 merchandise which are only available at the 360-sq-feet Singapore store.

The Concept Shop will be officially launched at 1pm on 14 May 2011. Lucky customers will have a chance to meet and shake hands in person with selected AKB48 members, who will be there to grace the occasion. . From T-shirts, to pen cases, to photos of your favorite AKB48 members, fans can bring home a slice of the AKB48 experience conveniently and look out for new product arrivals on the official website (www.akb48.com.sg).

AKB48 Official Cafe in Singapore
The world’s first AKB48 Café will open in Singapore, for fans and J-pop newbies alike to chill out and soak into the AKB48 atmosphere at their leisure. Scheduled to open in the end of June 2011, patrons can expect excellent Japanese fusion food and deserts available only in this cafe. Other highlights include the screening of video clips or messages from AKB48 members as well as related events like Karaoke or Dance contest held on a stage within the café. Lucky ones may even get a surprise visit from AKB48 members during their meals! More details will be shared closer to date.

About AKB48
AKB48 is a Japanese idol group project started by Mr Yasushi Akimoto in December 2005. The uniqueness of the AKB48 project is its concept of involving fans to share the experience in the idols’ career growth. Through this project, girls who have potential to become next-generation new idols are discovered. They are given the opportunity to perform at the exclusive AKB48 Theatre at Akihabara, the most energetic town in Japan, frequently, sometimes on a daily basis.

Over the last five years, AKB48 has risen in popularity and is today an award-winning iconic idol group in Japan. Their latest three Singles sales have also crossed millions each. AKB48 is also well sought-after internationally, with various concert tours in Korea, Macau, Russia and Singapore.

Today, some sister groups have been created, such as SKE48 from Sakae in Nagoya, NMB48 from Namba in Osaka, and SDN48 formed by ladies over 20 years old. They have done a combined live concert by these groups in Japan, and expanded their activities.

About *SCAPE
*SCAPE Co. Ltd is a social enterprise with its mission and vision rooted in support of youth and leadership development. The organization aims to facilitate youth-oriented programmes and support within communities of interest spanning from sports, music, arts, to social causes and entrepreneurship. Through these interest groups, *SCAPE provides a platform for the young talents to create, showcase and collaborate in their areas of passion, and give them a place to call their own. 

Officially launched in June 2010, *SCAPE, the building, has unique spaces and venues designed to serve independent functions, yet complementary to one another. As an integrated resource hub, *SCAPE’s network of facilities and venues, programmes, congregation of communities and partners provide a holistic avenue for youth development.  A first of its kind concept, *SCAPE also embraces a Social Retail Colony, with a community of retailers sharing the organization’s ideology: youth development. Through initiatives by *SCAPE and the retailers themselves, the organization hopes to cultivate a network of active, socially responsible and dynamic Singapore youth.