William Chan opens up about why he hasn’t held a concert, saying he won’t step on stage until he’s fully ready, as he holds himself to very high standards

“I shouldn’t step on stage if I’m not ready—because I hold myself to a high standard.” With this candid statement, William Chan revealed the real reason behind his decade-long absence from solo concerts. His almost stubborn respect for the stage has left fans feeling both heartache and admiration.

During a livestream on April 22, Chan spoke about his upcoming performance at the Shanghai Super Mango Music Festival on May 2, describing it as a chance to “find his rhythm again.” Having focused heavily on acting in recent years, he admitted he needs live performances to recalibrate his stage presence. To challenge himself, he reworked one of his songs into a rock version, aiming to rediscover the energy of a live audience. He even hinted that this might be his “last music festival for a while,” reflecting his cautious approach toward launching a full-scale solo concert.

This careful mindset stems from his deep awareness of fans. Earlier this year, he shared how seeing fans queue for days—exhausted to the point of barely standing—deeply affected him. It prompted him to seriously consider organizing a concert that offers a better experience. He acknowledged that stepping away from the stage for so long had shaken his confidence, but through gradual performances at music festivals, he has begun rebuilding it.

In fact, Chan’s last solo tour dates back ten years. Plans for a second tour never materialized—not due to external factors, but because he couldn’t meet his own expectations. This principle of “no stage without readiness” contrasts with his thriving acting career, with works like Shining For You and Love, Slowly keeping him in the spotlight. Musically, although a long-awaited Cantonese track remains unreleased, his performance skills are still widely respected—evident in his guest appearance at Joker Xue’s concert, where he impressed audiences with his live capabilities.

From empathizing with fans to testing his readiness through festivals, Chan’s journey has been measured and intentional. In an industry driven by speed and visibility, his commitment to quality stands out. For him, the real question isn’t “when to perform,” but “in what state to take the stage.” After ten years, the answer goes far beyond a concert—it’s a testament to professionalism and self-discipline.