INXS defy Sars in Singapore

NEW YORK (INXS Fans Website) - Members of rock band INXS have become the first major international act to play in Singapore since the outbreak of Sars.
Three of the band performed a low-key acoustic set at a restaurant on Sunday in a show of support for the city-state.

Andrew Farriss, Kirk Pengilly and Jon Stevens said they wanted to show the world that it was safe to travel there following the Sars outbreak.

More than 25 bands and artists, including Santana, Mariah Carey, Moby, Dionne Warwick and David Gray, have cancelled shows in Singapore because of the scare.
Guitarist Kirk Pengilly said: "(Sars) was a concern for us at first, but we did our research. Hopefully, just by being here, it will help countries that are suffering from SARS and terror warnings."

INXS are also promoting next month's World Peace Concert in Bali. It will be the island's first major event since the bombing in October which left more than 200 dead.
Tourism in the region generally has slumped as a result of Sars and the terrorist attack.
Pengilly added: "It is a tragedy for any country, but it has been a lot of media hype that has caused the panic."

During their show at Singapore's Indochine restaurant the band played an eight-song set including favourites Mystify, Need You Tonight and Never Tear Us Apart.
INXS have maintained a loyal following since the death of their singer Michael Hutchence in 1997.