In a room crowded with cheering young Cambodians, Smart Axiata announced today that it would be hosting US popstar Charlie Puth at its annual Smart Mega Concert in Phnom Penh on 2 November
Puth, an American singer and songwriter best known for his hits “See You Again” and “One Call Away”, announced in June that he would be touring Asia this year with confirmed stops in Bangkok, Hong Kong, Manila, Seoul, Taipei, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. His tour will begin in late October and carry on through November, with his concert on Koh Pich in Phnom Penh now set as his second scheduled performance in the region after Bangkok.
While tickets to Puth’s performances in neighbouring countries are priced anywhere between $50 and $200, customers in Cambodia need only prove they are active Smart subscribers to receive a ticket to his local concert.
“We bring you these concerts to show that Cambodia is on the map for the big artists of the world,” said Thomas Hundt, CEO of Smart, at the announcement in Phnom Penh this morning. “This will be the greatest show Cambodia has seen ever.”
Starting tomorrow, Smart subscribers in Cambodia can redeem their concert tickets at Smart shops across Phnom Penh.
Smart StreamOn 2 and PowerPlus 2 subscribers are eligible for two regular “green” passes and a free t-shirt, with the option to top up $2 to be eligible for a second “green” package. Smart @Home subscribers will receive two premium passes and a free t-shirt as well as a set of concert merchandise, while PowerPlus 8 and Smart StreamOn 8 customers will be eligible to receive one premium pass, a t-shirt and merchandise with the option to top up $10 for a second premium pass package.
Tickets will be awarded in the form of wristbands, and concertgoers must wear their wristbands in order to gain entry to the performance. No tickets will be available for purchase at the door.
“It’s really exciting to have someone as big as Charlie Puth coming to Cambodia – and for a concert that is practically free [for Smart customers],” said one member of the audience, beaming after the reveal. “These sorts of events really make Cambodia stand out.”
This year marks Smart’s fifth annual Mega Concert in Cambodia. In the past, the concert was headlined by western performers Demi Lovato and Jessie J as well as South Korean pop stars Rain and CL.
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According to Stjepan Udovicic, Smart’s chief marketing officer, this year’s concert will also feature a lineup of local Khmer artists whose names are soon to be announced. He added that Smart is trying to arrange a meet-and-greet with Charlie Puth for some of the singer’s most dedicated Cambodian fans, and further information on how to meet Puth will be revealed on Smart’s Facebook page in the upcoming month.
“Smart are happy to host this event, as we try to position ourselves as a lifestyle brand,” Udovicic said. “We wanted to bring someone to the country that people really wanted to see, and after taking a lot of surveys and spending time talking with locals in the community, we’re very pleased to be bringing Charlie Puth to Cambodia.”
Hundt added that Puth, who began as a Youtube sensation before gaining international fame for his music, is a symbol of success that could be inspirational to local Cambodian musicians.
“He is an inspiration for aspiring artists across the globe where songs such as ‘We Don’t Talk Anymore’ and ‘Attention’ have become popular hits, including in Cambodia,” said Hundt. “Hopefully some of Cambodia’s bright and talented singers will follow in his footsteps.”
Music
US pop sensation Charlie Puth to play Phnom Penh
In a room crowded with cheering young Cambodians, Smart Axiata announced today that it would be hosting US popstar Charlie Puth at its annual Smart Mega Concert in Phnom Penh on 2 November
