TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Renowned for his multi-faceted talents in arrangement, editing, and performance, Taiwanese pianist SLS (Silvers) hosted his first solo concert of 2024, titled "PiaCon: Duality," on Saturday (June 15) in Taichung’s Shin Min High School.
SLS captivated the audience with themes from anime and video games, transforming his weekly piano live streams into a live show. The concert showcased impressive piano skills, interactive banter with fans, surprise guest appearances, and reflections on the challenging environment for artists.
Fans were surprised to find no traditional setlist. Instead, there were playful hints like "What’s for dinner? No cilantro." and "There is no curse more twisted than love."
Yet, every time SLS's fingers touched the keys, the audience immediately recognized the familiar melodies, reminiscing iconic moments from titles such as "Tokyo Ghoul," "Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End," "Digimon," "Demon Slayer," "Yu-Gi-Oh!," "Fairy Tail," "Spy x Family," "Your Lie in April," "Detective Conan," and "MapleStory." Even popular songs from bands like RADWIMPS and YOASOBI, and the viral "Dinner Song" by a 15-year-old Japanese student, were recognized instantly by the audience.
For the Taichung concert, SLS invited popular YouTubers YueYang Hua (小花岳揚) and Keikaku Tsuukou (計畫通行) as special guests. SLS shared his awe upon discovering YueYang’s guitar channel, confessing he watched for three hours straight.
The collaboration between SLS and the guitar virtuoso showcased a harmonious synergy, with highlights like their powerful rendition of "Gurenge." Keikaku Tsuukou, known for his meme content, charmed the audience with a performance of "I Once Thought About Ending It All," displaying his serious side as a singer of Japanese songs.
SLS's concert felt more like a fan meeting than a traditional recital as he jokingly urged the audience to clap to cover any mistakes. The playful atmosphere continued as he pretended to end the show, only to be inundated with requests from the audience, transitioning seamlessly into impromptu performances of fan favorites.
Throughout the concert, SLS’s genuine and humorous personality showed through. He discussed the struggles of being an independent artist in an era dominated by platform algorithms.
Despite concerns about selling out the 300-seat venue and financial pressures, his passion for music and connection with fans motivated him. He expressed the irreplaceable joy of live interaction and the adrenaline rush it brings, contrasting it with the often discouraging digital metrics.
SLS shared his dreams of accompanying his favorite singers, forming duos or trios, and performing original piano concertos with a band. Though these dreams might seem distant, his dedication remains unwavering.
As he once said during a livestream, “As long as someone wants to watch, I’ll keep doing it.”
YouTube channels: SLSMusic, Silvers 次元鋼琴家
