Philippine Concerts

October 6, 2012: The Smart Araneta Coliseum was abuzz as a full house of Foster Kids counted down the hours, minutes, seconds before they would see one of the most successful bands of the year, Foster the People.

As expected, the crowd let out their first wave of cheers as the lights dimmed and local act Techy Romantics took to the stage. The dancetronica music trio instantly had the crowd on their feet and dancing along to their unique beats. Towards the end of their set, lead singer Camille’s simple query quickly dissolved the dreamy aura that had begun to fill the air: “Are you ready for the main event?”

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Fallen Empires Tour: Snow Patrol live in Manila Concert Review

Snow Patrol Melts Manila

“I have never been in a place where I have seen such GRACE, such HUMAN SPIRIT, such KINDNESS, such TRIUMPH in such dark times. You all are an INSPIRATION to the world”-Gary Lightbody

For the 9^th of August, the rain showers seem to have taken a breather after days of battering the Metro in unpredictable squalor. Fortunately enough, the day was graced by episodes of sunshine, which turned out to be a much needed reprieve from the dark clouds and monsoons that loomed over Manila since the beginning of the month. Thankfully, for this day, it was stated Snow Patrol’s much awaited concert would push through. And who would have known, in all its irony, it was this Snow that melted a great part of Manila.

As thousands of the band’s fans and music enthusiasts flocked the arena, everyone’s attention was undoubtedly taken by the seven gargantuan screens that hung at the back part of the stage along with the flashy video camera that was dangling on the right side. It was also noticeable how multiple percussion instruments, keyboards and heavy amplifiers were spread out across the stage. Indeed, the setup was so far detached from the usual minimalistic one-piece banner, a few overhead lights and guitar-drums-mic setting that most foreign acts had utilized in their concerts. Seeing all these, the audience knew at the time that they were in for a different visual and aural treat.
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NKOTBSB live in Manila concert review

Imagine 10,000 to 12,000 fans usually between the ages of 20-40, awaiting the arrival of two boy bands from two different eras on stage. The NKOTBSB Manila tour consisting of boy band from the ‘80s New Kids On The Block and their ‘90s counterpart Backstreet Boys, performed at the Mall of Asia Arena on June 3, 2012 with cheers from mostly female fans.

They dimmed the lights and the music started to play. All concert goers were transported back to the era of NKOTBSB 15-25 years ago.

The 2-hour and 30-minute show kicked off with a mash-up of Single and The One, mixed by Coldplay’s Vida La Vida. The whole venue was packed .The excitement and energy was so upbeat that it would be impossible for someone to not have a great time.  Kids took the stage first with their hit Summertime and followed by BSB’s The Call from their album Black & Blue.
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June 21, 2012 marked that day that one of Manila’s favorite sister acts, Jayesslee, would be playing on Philippine turf. The cover duo of YouTube stardom proved to have quite a following in our country as fans young and old filed into the venue at Robinsons Forum. As the crowd began settling into their seats, they found themselves well entertained by video montages of the meet and greet which was held the previous day. Many were soon stifling giggles as clips of Janice and Sonia’s antics played on the big screens.

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Lifehouse Smoke and Mirrors Manila Tour Concert Review

Sometimes life is about feeling empty and having a broken heart and the hope that at any time, there might be some big upswing, a friend that you can count on for the rest of your life. That’s what Lifehouse gives their fans to help carry them through the times that lack and celebrate the times of life.

Saturday night, alternative-rock band from United States, headlined their last Smoke and Mirrors concert tour in Manila at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Somewhere around 10,000 – 12,000 fans gave the four-some band the usual dose of love and high-pitch appreciation.

Needless to say, the band lead by Jason Wade came onto the music scene during my college days so hearing the songs live is a night to remember, as I’m sure it was for a lot fans. But before Lifehouse took the stage, we’re treated with Never The Strangers as the opening act. They warmed up the crowd with their hits like Moving Closer. The front act actually matched up well with the headliner for this tour. Read More…

For the first time in Manila, Japanese group Drum Tao was brought in for a ten-show series at Resorts World Manila. Just a day after their opening show, PhilippineConcerts.com was there to see just what all the buzz was about.

Seconds in, it was already clear that this would be a performance of epic proportions. The curtains rose to reveal two drummers with their backs to the audience, already poised at their gigantic drums.

As the beats began filling the theater, more and more percussionists heralded the opening of the spectacular journey that was Drum Tao.
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The  Born This Way Ball Tour Starring Lady Gaga Concert Review

After the release of a new album, a worldwide tour, and much unquenchable drama, the time had come for Lady Gaga to return to the Manila stage.

The Born This Way Ball caused much uproar from religious and government groups who tried to thwart the show until the very day of the concert. Mother Monster, however, schooled all of Manila by being the embodiment of the saying “the show must go on”. Despite protests, anti-Gaga prayer vigils, and even threats of imprisonment, the doors of the MOA Arena opened to the vast crowd of Little Monsters.

Aside from being a star-studded audience, the crowd was a rainbow of personalities as loyal Little Monsters came all dressed up in everything from leather and lace to swirling silks with Gaga’s signature blonde hairstyles.

To get the crowd warmed up, front act DJ Zedd filled the Arena with his pulsating dance mixes (we didn’t fail to note his geeky side as he threw in samples from the Legend of Zelda soundtrack!) His short performance marked him in Manila history as the first DJ to play in the much-awaited MOA Arena.

After a short interval, the huge crowd let out a collective gasp before piercing the air with screams and applause as the curtain was drawn back to reveal a set that only Lady Gaga could pull off. The stage was dominated by a medieval castle, rigged to light up, open, and rearrange itself throughout the show. There was not much time however to marvel at the set design because the intro to Highway Unicorn  signified the entrance of Mother Monster herself.

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Set Your Goals, This Century and We Are The In Crowd Live in Manila Concert Review

With howling rains all day all over Metro Manila, most people would prefer to sleep the day off, lazing and dozing the day away. The 2nd of June, however, spelled a different story for the fans of Set Your Goals, This Century and We Are The In Crowd. As presented by Pulp Live World and Karpos Multimedia, the three bands rocked the Smart Araneta Coliseum out that night. It was clear that no rain or storm would keep them away from a night of their much worshipped bands.

While waiting for the bands to step on stage, the evening started with a documentation of the Vans Warped Tour which had the audience glued and hopeful. Some even went as far as screaming “Bring Warped Tour in Manila!”.

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