A tribute concert to Tran Lap: A warm fire illuminating the path home.

(Baonghean) - Tran Lap passed away at the age of 41, but his voice and the songs he left behind with the band Buc Tuong still retain their warmth, transmitting enthusiasm to thousands of spectators present at the Quan Ngua Sports Palace, even though the outside temperature was only 15 degrees Celsius.

Moments of Tran Lap

Amidst the biting cold of Hanoi, thousands of spectators crowded together to listen to the rock music of Bức Tường, demonstrating the event's immense appeal. Many students held hands and sang along to his songs such as "Returning Home," "Soul of Stone," "Father and Son," "The Girl in the Red Scarf," and "Faith for the Dust"...

In the dimly lit space, a figure resembling Tran Lap appeared on stage. The audience applauded enthusiastically as that figure – singer Hieu Tran, a member of the band Hotsky – broke the silence of the memorial concert for Tran Lap with a rock song that pierced the night.

Artists looked to the resilient image of Tran Lap when he was alive as they sang "The Road to Glory".

Director Pham Hoang Nam and his team skillfully interspersed the performances with images and documentary footage about Tran Lap. This included excerpts from his music video "Men Say," a video of Tran Lap spontaneously playing the guitar and singing "Returning Home" on a New Year's morning, images captured by friends of him and his wife embracing on a road trip, and Tran Lap's own words upon learning of his serious illness.

In each song, such as "Setting Sail," "Long Journeys," "Returning," "White Bauhinia Flower," "Black Eyes," "Yesterday," "Soul of Stone," etc., the audience can hear Tran Lap's voice echoing through each climactic moment. Tran Lap is gone, but his music and his spirit live on in such a vibrant way.

Enduring determination and unwavering passion.

Tran Lap may not be an artist whose name can rival world-class music stars. But his life and his singing have created a different kind of value. He may not be on stage this year, but that doesn't mean Tran Lap's image has faded.

It wasn't the stage setup—with the motorcycle that MC Anh Tuan launched from the wings, the standing microphone with a strong light shining down, Tuan Hung's strumming guitar, and Anh Tuan's soaring cello—that made thousands of audience members feel like Tran Lap was singing.

He is still present to "connect" the brothers, creating a reunion of the band Bức Tường on stage after more than 20 years of sharing joys and sorrows together.

A year ago, music lovers across the country had wonderful memories of a rock concert honoring Bức Tường - Trần Lập and his friends. At that time, Trần Lập, despite being tormented by pain, still sang with all his heart, still passed on the flame of passion to his friends.

Not long after those stirring lyrics, Tran Lap passed away, leaving behind immense sadness and regret for his fans and the band Buc Tuong. Everyone was heartbroken by the tragic life of this talented but ill-fated musician and leader who shaped the landscape of Vietnamese rock music.

Many artists such as Tung Duong, Pham Anh Khoa, Ta Quang Thang, Ngu Cung, MicroWave, Ha My, Hoang Mario, Tuan RC, Dung Joon… sang songs by Tran Lap and the band Buc Tuong. The concert was full of rock spirit, but also had moments of poignant reflection. It was simple and minimalist, yet filled with music and love.

All 10 members, from the band Bức Tường's founding to the present day, were present. They were there to make the documentary film about Trần Lập's life, "Like Yesterday," more complete and meaningful.

The concert ended with singing and the promise, "See you again." Those who loved Tran Lap will surely continue to keep the flame of his passion and determination burning brightly.

Hue Anh