Philippine Concerts

Month: November 2023

  • Tate Mcrae Releases New Song and Video for “Exes”

    Tate Mcrae Releases New Song and Video for “Exes”

    Multi-platinum singer/songwriter Tate McRae releases her new song “exes” alongside the official music video via RCA Records.

    Written and produced with hitmakers Ryan Tedder (Taylor Swift, Beyoncé) and Tyler Spry (OneRepublic, Anitta), “exes” is propelled by Tate’s vibrant vocal style laced effortlessly with bursts of synths throughout.

    Directed by Aerin Moreno (Dove Cameron, Madison Beer) and choreographed by Sean Bankhead (Cardi B, Lil Nas X), the steamy music video follows Tate and her dancers taking over a rundown rodeo for the night. Through intoxicating visuals and high-energy choreography, you won’t be able to look away from the immensely talented Tate as she catapults into pop stardom.

    Tate adds, “We wrote “exes” on the last day of the album-making process. It was like the last hurrah that Ryan Tedder and I wrote in legitimately 30 minutes. It talks about my flaws in a relationship and some of my self-deprecating and self-sabotaging tendencies. The music video was so insane to film — getting to dance that much with such incredible girls was a dream.”

    Showing no signs of slowing down, the star is making her musical guest debut on Saturday Night Live tomorrow night with host Jason Momoa. Featured on the cover of Billboard’s November Music Awards Issue, Tate will be performing at the show this Sunday where she’s also nominated for her collaboration with Tiësto on “10:35” in Top Dance/Electronic Song.

    Releasing December 8th, Tate’s highly anticipated sophomore album, THINK LATER, is executive produced by Ryan Tedder. Pre-order HERE. THINK LATER and its songs are steeped in pop appeal and infectious toplines. Showcasing Tate’s boundless vocal talent and evolution as a songwriter, this new body of work explores the all-too-relatable feelings of falling in love and embracing the raw emotions you experience due to leading with your intuition and heart.

    The first taste of music from the forthcoming album, “greedy”, earned the star her first #1 on the Spotify Global chart and top 10 on the Billboard Global 200 chart hitting #3. The self-assured hypnotic offering has garnered over 394 million streams to date and hit #11 on the Hot 100 along with #1 most added at Top 40 and Hot AC radio upon release. Making it her biggest debut to date, “greedy” has been called “an artistic turning point… a propulsive self-empowerment anthem built around a firecracker of a pop hook that finds McRae dipping in and out of a falsetto while exuding unshakeable confidence” by Billboard. Watch her perform the song on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

    Next year, she’ll embark on her first global outing with the ‘THINK LATER TOUR” spanning 53 dates throughout Europe, the UK, North America, Australia, and New Zealand. Produced by Live Nation, the tour kicks off on Wednesday, April 17 in Dublin, Ireland at 3Olympia Theatre, with shows in London, Amsterdam, Prague, Paris, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Nashville, New York, Sydney, Melbourne, and many more before wrapping up in Wellington, New Zealand at TSB Arena on Thursday, November 21. charlieonnafriday will be supporting all dates across Europe, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. Presley Regier will join Tate across all North American dates.

    The ‘THINK LATER TOUR’ will see Tate playing the biggest and most iconic venues of her career thus far, including her first headline show at Madison Square Garden. For more info and to purchase tickets visit HERE.

    ‘THINK LATER TOUR’ GLOBAL 2024 DATES

    • Wed Apr 17 – Dublin, Ireland – 3Olympia Theatre
    • Thu Apr 18 – Dublin, Ireland – 3Olympia Theatre
    • Sat Apr 20 – Glasgow, UK – Glasgow Academy
    • Mon Apr 22 – London, UK – Eventim Apollo
    • Wed Apr 24 – Manchester, UK – O2 Apollo Manchester
    • Fri Apr 26 – Wolverhampton, UK – The Civic At The Halls
    • Sun Apr 28 – Cologne, Germany – Palladium
    • Mon Apr 29 – Amsterdam, The Netherlands – AFAS Live
    • Tue Apr 30 – Antwerp, Belgium – Lotto Arena
    • Thu May 02 – Stockholm, Sweden – Annexet
    • Fri May 03 – Oslo, Norway – Spektrum
    • Sat May 04 – Copenhagen, Denmark – Falkonersalen
    • Mon May 06 – Hamburg, Germany – Sporthalle
    • Tue May 07 – Berlin, Germany – Verti Music Hall
    • Wed May 08 – Prague, Czech Republic – Forum Karlin
    • Fri May 10 – Warsaw, Poland – COS Torwar
    • Sun May 12 – Zurich, Switzerland – Halle 622
    • Mon May 13 – Vienna, Austria – Gasometer
    • Tue May 14 – Munich, Germany – Zenith
    • Thu May 16 – Milan, Italy – Fabrique
    • Fri May 17 – Paris, France – Zenith
    • Mon May 20 – Barcelona, Spain – Sant Jordi Club
    • Tue May 21 – Madrid, Spain – Palacio Vistalegre
    • Wed May 22 – Lisbon, Portugal – Coliseu de Lisboa
    • Fri Jul 05 – Calgary, AB – Hometown Show*
    • Sun Jul 07 – Woodinville, WA – Chateau Ste Michelle
    • Tue Jul 09 – San Francisco, CA – Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
    • Thu Jul 11 – Los Angeles, CA – The Greek Theatre
    • Sun Jul 14 – Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Financial Theatre
    • Wed Jul 17 – Austin, TX – Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park
    • Fri Jul 19 – Houston, TX – 713 Music Hall
    • Sat Jul 20 – Irving, TX – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
    • Sun Jul 21 – Rogers, AR – Walmart AMP
    • Wed Jul 24 – Cincinnati, OH – The Andrew J Brady Music Center
    • Sat Jul 27 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage
    • Sun Jul 28 – Sterling Heights, MI– Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre
    • Tue Jul 30 – Saint Louis, MO – Saint Louis Music Park
    • Thu Aug 01 – Minneapolis, MN – The Armory
    • Tue Aug 06 – Nashville, TN – Ascend Amphitheater
    • Wed Aug 07 – Indianapolis, IN – Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park
    • Fri Aug 09 – Boston, MA – MGM Music Hall at Fenway
    • Tue Aug 13 – Washington, DC – The Anthem
    • Wed Aug 14 – Philadelphia, PA – Skyline Stage at Mann
    • Fri Aug 16 – Raleigh, NC – Red Hat Amphitheater
    • Sat Aug 17 – Atlanta, GA – Cadence Bank Amphitheatre at Chastain Park
    • Thu Aug 22 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden**
    • Fri Nov 08 – Perth, Australia – Red Hill Auditorium
    • Sun Nov 10 – Brisbane, Australia – Riverstage
    • Tue Nov 12 – Sydney, Australia – Hordern Pavilion
    • Fri Nov 15 – Adelaide, Australia – AEC Theatre
    • Sun Nov 17 – Melbourne, Australia – Margaret Court Arena
    • Tue Nov 19 – Auckland, New Zealand – Spark Arena
    • Thu Nov 21 – Wellington, New Zealand – TSB Arena

    *Venue TBA; **Additional support TBA

  • Jeff Satur’s “Space Shuttle Tour No.8” to Land in Manila in March 2024

    Jeff Satur’s “Space Shuttle Tour No.8” to Land in Manila in March 2024

    Dynamic Thai artist, Jeff Satur, is set to take Manila by storm with his much-anticipated “Space Shuttle No.8 Asia Tour,” to take place on March 2, 2024, at the New Frontier Theater.

    Jeff Satur, a versatile talent known for his roles as a singer, songwriter, producer, multi-instrumentalist, and actor, has rapidly garnered a global fanbase. In a career spanning just a few years, he has become a musical force to be reckoned with, blending a fresh and modern mix of genres such as pop, R&B, rock, hip-hop, and 80s sounds. With eight singles released under the banner of Warner Music Thailand since November 2021, Jeff has amassed an impressive 361 million streams to date.

    Jeff Satur has made a lasting impression on the global scene, having packed houses in Bangkok, Singapore, Indonesia, and even farther afield in Brazil for the Asia Stars Festival. He is in high demand as a performer in the area because of his ability to enthrall audiences with his deep voice and captivating stage presence.

    Despite his hectic schedule, he is still a well-known character in Thailand’s entertainment industry, appearing in a number of popular programs, festivals, and even films. Notably, he recently appeared on “Call Me By Fire 3,” the biggest reality show in China, where he displayed his talents and reached a wider audience.

    Beyond the stage, Jeff’s celebrity influence can be seen in his ties with famous brands such as Honda, King Power, and the iconic Valentino brand.

    The “Jeff Satur: Space Shuttle No.8 Asia Tour” is expected to be a groundbreaking spectacle that will represent a major turning point in his career. In keeping with the release of his debut album, Jeff’s tour is anticipated to raise the bar for live performances and demonstrate his growth as a performer.

    A remarkable evening including Jeff’s distinctive fusion of genres, a thrilling performance, and a visually stunning display fitting the Space Shuttle No. 8 theme awaits devoted fans.

    Tickets for Jeff Satur: Space Shuttle No.8 Asia Tour in Manila to go on sale starting with Live Nation PH Pre-sale from 11 am on 7 December (Thursday) to 10:59 am 11 December (Monday) local time. The public sale starts on 11 December (Monday) at 12 pm local time.

    For ticket information and further details, please visit livenation.ph.

  • Pandemonium World Tour: Joji live in Manila

    Pandemonium World Tour: Joji live in Manila

    Joji, the renowned singer, songwriter, and former YouTube personality, is set to perform at the Araneta Coliseum in Manila on November 28 for his highly anticipated first solo concert, Pandemonium Tour. This world tour marks a significant milestone in Joji’s career as he continues to captivate audiences with his unique blend of R&B, alternative, and pop music.

    After being part of two music festivals in the country, he is finally coming back for his first-ever full-length concert. Known for his soulful and emotive voice, Joji has garnered a dedicated following with his chart-topping hits, including “Glimpse of Us,” “Slow Dancing in the Dark,” “Sanctuary,” “Run,” and “Gimme Love.” These tracks have resonated with fans worldwide and have solidified Joji’s status as a formidable force in the music industry.

    The upcoming concert promises an unforgettable experience for attendees, with Joji’s signature introspective lyrics and mesmerizing melodies amplified by a stunning production value. Fans can expect a visually stunning and sonically immersive performance that showcases Joji’s artistry at its finest.

    Joji’s transition from his comedic persona on YouTube to a bona fide music sensation has been nothing short of remarkable. His ability to connect with audiences on a profound level through his music underscores his undeniable talent and appeal. As he takes the stage in Manila, fans can anticipate an electrifying performance that transcends musical boundaries and leaves a lasting impact.

    Tickets for Joji’s Manila concert are almost sold-out, and his dedicated fan base is eagerly anticipating the opportunity to witness his artistry live. With the promise of an incredible production and a setlist featuring his greatest hits, this concert is poised to be a highlight for music enthusiasts in the Philippines.

    For fans in Manila and beyond, this concert presents an unmissable opportunity to witness Joji’s brilliance firsthand and be a part of a truly unforgettable musical event.

    Tickets are available at Insigniapresents.com TicketNet.com.ph and outlets.

    Presented by Insignia Presents and AEG Presents Asia

  • Ayala Malls Cinemas presents “Tokyo Mer: Mobile Emergency Room” Opens November 22

    Ayala Malls Cinemas presents “Tokyo Mer: Mobile Emergency Room” Opens November 22

    An intense medical action-drama comes to life on the big screen exclusive at Ayala Malls Cinemas in Tokyo MER: Mobile Emergency Room, a Japanese film based on the award-winning television series of the same title.  

    In the film, a life-saving medical team is deployed when an explosion occurred at the Landmark Tower in Yokohama where thousands of people are trapped.  Under the direct control of the Tokyo governor, the medical team rushes to the scene of the accident or disaster with their large vehicle equipped with an operating room (ER car) and fights for the lives of patients, regardless of their own risks.

    The movie also features an exciting roster of cast that includes Ryohei Suzuki who won Best Actor at the 4th Asian Contents Awards for his role in the series, Jesse Lewis of the popular Jpop band SixTONES, Hayato Sano from “Trillion Game” series and Kento Kaku who won Newcomer of the Year at the 45th Elan d’or Awards (2021). 

    Ryohei Suzuki takes on the lead role as Kota Kitami, surgeon with a talent for triage and a casual disregard for safety protocols.  As the main character is Kota Kitami, a brilliant young ER doctor, he has been handpicked by Mayor Azusa Akatsuka (Yuriko Ishida) to head a new emergency response team dubbed TOKYO Mobile Emergency Room, or MER. Outfitted with leading-edge medical technology and a large mobile operating room allows the team to quickly respond to major accidents, natural disasters, and other emergencies. Their mission is simple: Save every life. Team member Nao Otowa (Kento Kaku) , sent by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare on a secret mission, ends up forming a close professional bond with Kota, and together the two men put their lives on the line every day to rescue others.

    Suzuki also received the Screen International Rising Star Asia Award from the 22nd edition of the New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF) and has been cast as Ryo Saeba in the upcoming live action City Hunter movie.

    Jpop idol Jesse Lewis of SixTONES plays Tomohiro Shiomi, a trainee doctor with a passionate sense of mission.  “I had been watching the drama before I got the offer, I hope you can see my role (Shiomi) growing up in the movie version,” says Jesse.

    Experience this thrilling medical drama only at Ayala Malls Cinemas.  Log into www.sureseats.com for your tickets.

  • My SHINee World: A must-watch for Shawols

    My SHINee World: A must-watch for Shawols

    Shawols, unite! My SHINee World: 1st to 15th is screening in SM Cinemas nationwide until tomorrow.

    CDM Entertainment presented a special pearl aqua carpet premiere with a huge number of Shawols on the evening of November 17 to commemorate the premiere of the My SHINee World: 1st to 15th documentary movie.

    SHINee
    SHINee

    The nearly two-hour movie features the most memorable stages of SHINee during their concerts from 2008 up to the present. From “Replay” to “Hard”, take a trip with Onew, Jonghyun, Key, Minho, and Taemin as they relive the highlights of their extensive career as one of K-pop’s most loved bands.

    We won’t be spoiling much, but the movie will surely wrap you in nostalgia. In SHINee’s 15-year career, we’ve seen them go across different genres in every comeback, embracing a uniquely refreshing vibe each time. Over the years, they’ve become trailblazing artists in the world of K-pop with their impressive vocals and solid choreography. Just look at how “Lucifer”, “Ring Ding Dong”, “Sherlock” and “View” remain iconic to this day and age. The movie also features interviews and never-before-seen concert clips which is something to look forward to.

    My SHINee World is best enjoyed with fellow Shawols and friends – the best way to celebrate the group’s 15th anniversary. Bring your Shating Star aka official lightstick for the optimal fan experience. Prepare to sing along, cheer, squeal, and cry as you watch. Don’t miss the rare opportunity to see it on the big screen!

    Special thanks to CDM Entertainment!

  • DISNEY PRINCESS – THE CONCERT BY BROADWAY STARS

    DISNEY PRINCESS – THE CONCERT BY BROADWAY STARS

    Get to Know the International Broadway Stars Performing Your Favorite Disney Princess Songs in Disney Princess – The Concert! This week, the cast of Disney Princess (The Concert)—Krysta Rodriguez, Aisha Jackson, Anneliese Van Der Pol, and Music Director Benjamin Rauhala—met with the press and the online community to address questions about their upcoming performance.

    Q: How different is this Broadway project compared to your previous Broadway project and your roles before?

    Anneliese: For me, I’m used to television, so the hours are different. It’s like 9–5 on television, and with theater, you’re usually working at night. It’s totally different if you’re on a tour; usually on Broadway, it’s the same stage every night. On tour, we’re adjusting to people and the language because we speak a little bit of whatever country or city we’re in.

    Aisha: It’s actually different because in a Broadway house, you can’t always see the audience, but in some of these houses, you get to actually see everyone in their costumes, and we can see their faces light up as we sing your favorite song, so it’s always fun to be able to have an intimate personal experience with our audience memories.

    Krysta: And most of the time we’re on Broadway before me to show we’re playing a character all the way through, but as we get the unique opportunity to be ourselves, we get to bring who we are. We need to share stories with you about our time on Broadway and our connection to all these characters, and then we get to just have a moderate with the other princesses on the stage, which is unique and fun!

    Benjamin: And also, unlike the other shows with one princess to star and now getting to have four, that’s a whole new thing having these incredible women interacting with each other and finding that each other and singing together live for everybody.

    Q: If you were to relate to any of the Disney princesses in terms of realness, which Disney Princess would you relate to, and what real trait would you relate to them?

    Aisha: I would say “Anna.” She’s goofy, and she loves her sister, and I have a little sister that I love and adore.

    Anneliese: honestly, I guess for me it’s “Rapunzel.” She’s a lot like a character I played on television; she’s sort of glass half full and whimsical and airheady, and she really finds joy in life even being trapped in that tower, in that small room, and becomes an artist and educated.

    Krysta: I think I’m going to say Snow White because she has a lot of friends that helped her out, and she has a specific group that she found that helped her get through some tough times since she leans on them. You know a great group, and who doesn’t like having seven men living with you?

    Benjamin: I will go with “Flounder” because his best friend was the best singer under the sea and the best singer in the city, and that was really, really fun, and that’s what I do too.

    Q: If you will describe your life right now, what would be the perfect Disney song for you right now?

    Aisha: For me, “for the first time,” we are in the Philippines. We were so excited to be here, and it’s been a dream of mine to travel the world while doing what I love. So for the first time here in the Philippines, doing what I love.

    Benjamin: You know it’s a song from Ms. Lea Salonga; we’re in a whole new world right now since it’s our first time here. We’ve been traveling, and every new city is like “unbelievable sights, indescribable feelings.”

    Anneliese: “7 a.m., the usual morning lineup.” Start with the questions and get the interviews done! I would say, “Love is an open door,” loving our friends and our group and the dozen doors that have been opening that we couldn’t imagine.

    Krysta: I would say “Colors of the Wind.” We’ve traveled so much, meeting so many people of different cultures, races, and religions, and just going through the flow and going through the wind where the plane would take us.

    Q: What would you consider the most challenging part of your career, and how did you overcome it?

    Aisha: Benjie gifted me a new song this time, “The Little Mermaid.” It’s a little challenging, harder than it seems, and it has a lot of words, so that’s my challenge to nail that and bring it to the fans to adore in a loving way.

    Anneliese: I think the most challenging is just being away from our family and our loved ones, of course, and then musically on stage; it’s like I have to sing part of the world, and I will sing that song after Halle Bailey sings it. Everyone hears this music so much, and so to make it a new, interesting, or different refresh is a challenge, so yeah, that’s my challenge.

    Krysta: I’m saying you know we will have fun in the future. And maybe you get one or maybe two great songs or something like nine amazing songs. Did you do them all justice, and sometimes you wanted to do a great job to learn them all and have a unique path for each character that you’re doing so? You know I knew some classics, but some of the newer songs I am not familiar with, and then taking a new song really well and learning the perfect harmony is another difficult thing to do, but we have ample time with rehearsals and come up prepared and do our best.

    Benjamin: I would say that every day in theater is a challenge, making sure the show is excellent and that we are set up every day. We have an incredible crew traveling with us as well as contributing to the local growth of each town, making sure that we are committed to making magic for everybody.

    Q: What can your Filipino fans expect from the concert? Is there a special song or performance that they can expect?

    Benjamin: What do our Filipino fans expect? Well, they can expect that we’re going to sing the songs of all 13 Disney princesses and the two frozen queens. There’s going to be five incredible Broadway stars up there, including four Powerhouse princesses and our guest friends, and we’re going to be up there and sing all the songs you love.

    Anneliese: Please expect to have a nostalgic feeling and that you have a good time and enjoy yourself. You’ll have a fun show at a time when maybe we really need it in a serious time around the world.

    Krysta: We’ll sort of present so many songs in a new way. We’ll have a screen behind us where we’ll be playing the animations, so you’ll have a good familiar and new mix together. And I think the surprise or special thing that we might have is that you’re going to be thrilled with all the songs; they’re all your favorites. We throw in a few that are outside the princess box from different films, and then there’s a little magic that occurs at the end of the show, and if you sing loud enough along with us, the magic might hum. We have a very magical music director with us, and the power of our voices together will make the magic happen.

    Q: My question is: What do you think is the importance of Disney Princesses in our world today that you hope people will learn through the concert?

    Aisha: I think Disney Princesses really teach us to believe in ourselves and our dreams; they remind us that all dreams are possible, and they teach us about having courage, being ourselves, and not being afraid of something that might seem hard, so I hope that people are encouraged to keep going after what they want.

    Anneliese: If I can remember what the question is, it’s that we’re talking about princesses, not princess, and it’s a female-forward show; it’s about feminism in a large way and the power of being a hero through courage, kindness, empathy, and love. It’s not using your sword when one uses your sword, and you know different ways.

    Krysta: I think that a lot of the Princesses there  challenges they don’t come from external sources they actually come from the people in their lives who limit them or are they worried about what they think other people are going to think are the world is going to think or and I think so much of what they learn almost all of them learn through not worrying so much about what everybody will think of you and what the world’s gonna say are what people limit the limitations that people place on you and I think that’s a lesson of a lot of women and young girls and young boys that everybody needs to learn and like what that is just being talked about formally it’s normalized in all these movies and so I think that lesson II continue to learn and I hope people will learn the way forward from this.

    Q: Given that the princesses and two queens have struggles, they also have victories. If you have one princess you want to duet with, what particular song from your repertoire would you sing along with them?

    Aisha: I want to sing “Let it Go” with Elsa.

    Anneliese: I want to sing “Show yourself” with Evan Rachel Wood and “Badder with Amy Adams and Maya Rudolph. Fabulous villains duet.

    Krysta: I’d like to say, “I see the light.”

    Benjamin: Being on the piano is my whole job. I play duets with princesses, and I’m pretty lucky, but I do hope that Ms. Lea Salonga will sing with us one day, and that would be a real dream.

    Q: So I’d like to ask about the dresses that you’re going to wear and the jewelry that they’re going to wear.

    Aisha: You can expect to see a lot of sparkle.

    Anneliese: supposed to be confident, and trust me, they’re beautiful. They’re so smartly related that I’m telling you it’s sparkle and jewelry. I don’t actually have it, and it’s not like real, because I can’t support that I’m sounding like Cinderella.

    Q: Is there ever a song from the Disney repertoire that, the first time you heard it, moved you so much? Do you always follow yourself in tears? You said I needed a break. I need to take a moment and feel it in.

    Aisha: For me, it’s the color of the wind.”

    Krysta: For me, it’s “Can you feel my love tonight?”

    Q: Do you have pre-show rituals that you would like to share with us?

    Aisha: Yeah, we like to warm up the voices in our bodies to make sure that we’re ready to go for our audience. I’d like to give a little dance in the mirror. She says, Shake off my nerves and remind myself to have a good time.

    Anneliese: our rituals to be together and gossip

    Krysta: Yeah, we like to try the little snacks that we get, so that’s my ritual: eating.

    Benjamin: I stand up on stage about 5 minutes before the show, and I think about where I am that day. I really think about the people that are there, and I’m trying to make sure that I’m ready to make special for them.

    DISNEY PRINCESS – The Concert. A series of concerts will be slated in MANILA on November 18 & 19, 3PM & 8PM at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater, CEBU on November 22, 8PM at the Waterfront Hotel Cebu City and DAVAO on November 21, 8PM at the SMX Convention Center Davao. Presented by Disney Concerts and Wilbros Live.

    Don’t miss to Book your tickets now! 🎫Manila: TicketWorld.com.ph Cebu, Davao: SMTickets.com #DisneyPrincess #Ariel #Aurora #Belle #Cinderella #Elsa #Jasmine #Merida #Moana #Mulan #Pocahontas #Rapunzel #Raya #SnowWhite #Tiana #WilbrosLive

  • Clara Benin finds home in people with the holiday-themed track “can’t wait to see you on christmas day”

    Clara Benin finds home in people with the holiday-themed track “can’t wait to see you on christmas day”

    Multi-awarded Filipino singer-songwriter Clara Benin celebrates the Christmas season with the release of a blissful tune.

    Clara Benin warms up the holiday season with the release of her new single, “can’t wait to see you on christmas day.”

    The sweet little tune expresses the joy of returning to someone on Christmas and finding a home, not necessarily in a place or entity, but in the company of people that matter.

    “I wrote it thinking of my family and the heart-warming feeling of our Christmas reunions, where all our worries melt away, replaced by thankfulness and joy,” the Filipino singer-songwriter explains.

    Written and produced in the comfort of her own home, Clara Benin wanted a song that evokes the endearing warmth of the holidays, where spending one’s precious time with folks she considers family makes living truly worthwhile and memorable.

    Despite the logistical challenges she encountered during the song’s recording in early October, the prolific folk-pop artist pulled through the odds with a compelling track whose sense of comfort radiates in every note and chord.

    “It took me multiple attempts to get the right take because my home studio isn’t soundproof, and the rain could be heard in the background during the recording,” Clara reveals. “I managed to record the song one early morning and finished at around 4 a.m.”

    According to Clara, the song holds a special place in her heart as it started out as a collaborative effort with her fans in her Patreon community. She even solicited their help for words and phrases that bring to mind the essence of Christmas and somehow used it as part of her writing exercise.

    “Shoutout to my Patreon member Stephen Duma, whose line ‘all the longing finds hope in the faces we call home’ deeply resonated with me, and I knew it had to be a part of the song,” Clara shares in a statement.

    Clara Benin’s “can’t wait to see you on christmas day” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via OFFMUTE and Sony Music Entertainment.

  • Fusion 11.11 Success: Beyond Music, A Celebration of Freedom and Unity

    Fusion 11.11 Success: Beyond Music, A Celebration of Freedom and Unity

    On November 11, 2023, CCP Open Grounds in Pasay City was alive with the music of Fusion: The Philippine Music Festival. The stage lit up with fantastic performances from the most talented OPM artists. Bamboo, KZ, Mahalima, Ben&Ben, Arthur Nery, Gloc-9, Morissette, Adie, 6Cyclemind, Gracenote, Shanti Dope, Al James, Hey June, and Denise Julia, all set the stage on fire and created an incredible experience for everyone.

    The music was a mix of everything – slow songs, heart-pounding beats – a blend of different styles that resonated with the thousands in attendance. Notable performances included special dance showcases by the NU Dance Company and the electrifying moves of D’Grind, adding a dynamic layer to the celebration.

    Fusion wasn’t just about music; it was a whole experience. Attendees found themselves immersed in engaging activities, courtesy of sponsors such as Watsons Philippines, Jack Daniel’s and Coca Cola, Coca-Cola, Chevrolet, Fudgee Barr, Hapee Toothpaste, Dazz Dishwashing, Embassy Whisky, Chill Spiked Spirit, and Max’s Restaurant. From vibrant displays to interactive installations, these booths contributed to the overall festival ambiance.

    But what made Fusion really special was the energy from the crowd. Everyone wasn’t just watching; they were part of the fun. Laughter, smiles, singing, and dancing, were everywhere! It wasn’t just about the music; it was about coming together, celebrating freedom, and playing as one.

    As the music faded away, everyone agreed – Fusion was even better than expected.

    The success of Fusion sets the stage for future events, promising even more exciting experiences. For those who found themselves craving more after this night, the journey continues with upcoming events like Road to Fusion: La Union and Fusion 2024.

    Get ready for more music, more fun, and more awesome moments because Fusion is just getting started.

  • Catch the Asia Artist Awards 2023 with Smart Live

    Catch the Asia Artist Awards 2023 with Smart Live

    Here’s your chance to catch NewJeans, ZEROBASEONE, LE SSERAFIM, and the rest of your favorite Asian superstars live as the country hosts the Asia Artist Awards (AAA) 2023 for the first time ever at the Philippine Arena on Dec. 14.

    One of the biggest and star-studded shows recognizing Asian artists in film, television, and music, AAA is the latest addition to this year’s stellar line-up of Smart Live events, which gives subscribers access to exclusive perks and privileges to live concerts and events.

    Among the Asian artists gracing AAA are NewJeans, LE SSERAFIM, ZEROBASEONE, NMIXX, BOYNEXTDOOR, Stray Kids, ITZY, THE BOYZ, Kwon Eunbi, Kep1er, Seventeen BSS, Kim Seon Ho and Ahn Hyeo Seop and more.


    “All roads lead to the AAA this December, and as always, we at Smart want to give our subscribers the biggest fan service by bringing them closer to their favorite Asian idols,” said Lloyd Manaloto, First Vice President and Head of Prepaid and Content at Smart.

    “This is just one of the many ways we give back to our loyal customers, who have made us the Phillippines’ biggest mobile services provider in terms of subscribers today,” added Manaloto.

    How to redeem AAA tickets with Smart Prepaid
    Smart Prepaid subscribers may secure AAA tickets in two ways – through points redemption on the Smart App or by activating a Smart Prepaid eSIM and availing of Magic Data+ packages.

    For points redemption on the Smart App, subscribers may follow these steps on Nov. 16 to 17, 2023:

    1. Download and then log in on the Smart App;
    2. Tap ‘My Rewards’ and choose the Asia Artist Awards (AAA) ticket you want to redeem with your points;
    3. Wait for the confirmation message then head to the Smart Booth at SM Megamall B in Mandaluyong from Nov. 25 to 26, 2023 to claim your ticket. Be ready to present your redemption notification and your active subscription to Power All 149 on the Smart App.

    On the other hand, subscribers may also secure an AAA ticket by activating a Smart Prepaid eSIM and topping up with Magic Data+ 749 packages. To do this, subscribers may follow these steps:
    1. Purchase and activate your Smart Prepaid eSIM (Digital or Carded);
    2. Go to the Smart Store at SM Megamall B in Mandaluyong on November 25 to 26, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and
    3. Present proof of your active Smart Prepaid eSIM and availment of Magic Data+ 749 on the Smart App; The required number of Magic Data+ 749 availments varies depending on your preferred ticket

    Subscribers can enjoy the best fan experiences and instantly share their best moments with the rest of the world powered by Smart, the Philippines’ Fastest and Best Mobile Network as cited by Ookla, the global leader in mobile and broadband network intelligence.

  • Lee Junho The Moment 2023: A Fan Meeting Experience

    Lee Junho The Moment 2023: A Fan Meeting Experience

    Ten years after his last visit to the Philippines, singer-actor Lee Junho returned to give his devoted followers the most amazing fan meeting experience.

    As six o’clock approached, ecstatic cheers filled the SM Mall of Asia Arena. On November 11, 2023, in Manila, the much-awaited JUNHO THE MOMENT 2023 began with jubilant cheers as the lights went down.

    Performing solo tracks “Canvas” from his first extended play of the same name and “Nobody Else” from 2PM’s 2015 studio album No.5, the King the Land actor kicked off the fan meeting. He continued, extending his greetings to the crowd, saying, “Mabuhay! Ako si Lee Junho. Maligayang pagdating sa aking pinakaunang fan meeting tour.” He expressed his joy at having returned to Manila after a while and seeing everyone. “I really miss everyone,” he continued. The singer-actor assured his audience that everyone would have a great memory of the evening, and he surely followed through on that promise as the evening went on.

    Lee Junho
    Photos from Live Nation Philippines

    The fan meeting resumed with segments hosted by Sam Oh that allowed attendees to learn more about the Korean star through behind-the-scenes accounts of his photo shoots and wardrobe decisions. A retrospective of his filmography was also undertaken, with a focus on his most recent productions, King the Land and The Red Sleeve. He stated that Yi San from The Red Sleeve was his most memorable performance at the press conference that preceded his fan meeting. He also acknowledged that it took him some time to let go of the character.

    The Red Sleeve served as Lee Junho’s first drama after his discharge from the military. It portrays the story of a royal court romance between a court lady who wishes to defend her chosen life and the King of Joseon, who puts his duty to his country above love. The singer-actor won accolades for his role as Yi San from a number of organizations, including the 2022 Baeksang Arts Awards, where he took home the Best Actor Award for Television, being the first idol to do so.

    Lee Junho
    Photos from Live Nation Philippines

    In addition, he spoke about his beloved character Gu Won from the drama King the Land, in which he co-starred with YoonA of Girls’ Generation. After the “Do you want to sleep over?” scene was shown, the singer-actor said that they wanted to portray and symbolize the characters’ love, and they hoped that the audience could connect with it. During its premiere, King the Land was the most popular Netflix series in 23 different countries. The drama is still accessible on the streaming platform.

    The kilig, however, did not end there. Following his “Nothing But You” performance, Lee Junho fulfilled fan requests, gracing his admirers with embraces, conversations, and proximity. A true fan service king, he twice serenaded the crowd with his performance of “Imahe” by Magnus Haven.

    Lee Junho sang “Can I,” “I’m In Love,” “DSMN,” and “Ride Up” to round out the fan meeting. The 2PM member expressed his sincere gratitude for all of the love and support he got at his first fan meeting. If the chance to perform again came up, he vowed to go back to the Philippines. “Thank you, Manila! I love you!”

    Special thanks to Live Nation Philippines.

  • Global Pop Superstar Dua Lipa Releases New Single “Houdini”

    Global Pop Superstar Dua Lipa Releases New Single “Houdini”

    Dua Lipa - Houdini

    Today, global superstar Dua Lipa has returned with “Houdini” – the highly anticipated track introducing the beginning of a new chapter following her 2020 smash Future Nostalgia. The track is out today alongside its official music video, which you can watch here.

    “Houdini” kickstarts the narrative thread that weaves its way through Dua’s upcoming project. Dua notes that “Houdini,” “embodies that 4 a.m. feeling when the night is coming to a close and you’re a bit sweaty, but you just don’t want the party to end.” The official music video, directed by Manu Cossu with cinematographer André Chemetoff, sees Dua post-rehearsal in a dance hall, revising her choreography under fluorescent lights. The lights reflect in the room’s mirrors, creating an optical illusion as the energy
    begins to swell.

    “This track represents the most light and freeing parts of my singledom,” says Dua. “’Houdini’ is very tongue in cheek, exploring the idea of whether someone is really worth my while or if I’ll ghost them in the end. You never know where something may take you, that’s the beauty of being open to whatever life throws your way. I’m looking forward to sharing that feeling of defiant bliss with my fans.”

    “Houdini” was written by Lipa, along with Caroline Ailin, Danny L. Harle, Tobias Jesso Jr., and Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker, a group who served as core collaborators throughout the project, and was produced by Parker and Harle. “A lot of this album was written in those joyous moments of absolute chaos and how I moved through the world with lightness and optimism of whatever the outcome may be,” says Dua.

    Photo Credit: Tyrone Lebon

    About Dua Lipa

    3x GRAMMY and 6x Brit Award-winning international pop powerhouse Dua Lipa closed out 2022 as one of the top performers of the year, with both Variety and Billboard naming her Future Nostalgia World Tour among the best live shows of the year. The tour’s namesake album solidified Dua’s position as both a critical success and top radio performer. Future Nostalgia is certified platinum in the US and UK, was the longest running top 10 album by a female artist on the Billboard 200 in 2021, and has spawned multiple worldwide hit singles, with “Levitating” earning certified diamond status and the title of Billboard’s No. 1 Hot 100 Song of 2021. In addition to breaking solo records, Dua proved to be a formidable collaborator, with Elton John’s “Cold Heart (PNAU Remix)” landing them the honor of Variety’s 2022 Hitmakers of the Year.

    Dua has found superstar status on stage and off, thanks to her many passions outside the world of music. 2022 saw Dua launch Service95, a global style, culture, and society editorial platform inspired by her lifelong habit of curating extensive recommendations lists. The accompanying podcast, Dua Lipa: At Your Service, features thoughtful conversations with high-profile guests from fellow performers and artists to authors and activists, and has been lauded in publications including The Sunday Times, Vogue, The Guardian and was named one of the Best Podcasts of 2022 by Spotify. Dua’s passion for reading and affinity for storytelling led her to launch the third and latest branch of the platform, the Service95 Book Club.

    As a fashion icon, Dua has graced the cover of every major fashion magazine worldwide from Vogue and Elle to W and Dazed. Most recently, Dua co-designed Versace’s “La Vacanza” collection, alongside the iconic Donatella Versace herself. The womenswear collection debuted at a fashion show in Cannes in May 2023 which Vogue called, “the hottest collaboration of the summer” while Vogue Runway’s review of the show hailed it “an instantly desirable, flattering summer wardrobe.”

    Dua’s eponymous 2017 debut album is certified platinum, spawned six platinum tracks, and made her the first female artist in Brit Awards history to pick up five nominations in a single year. Dua has a total of 8 Grammy nominations, with three wins for Best Pop Vocal Album, Best New Artist and Best Dance Recording. Across platforms globally, she has amassed over 38 billion streams and holds the record for having the top two most streamed albums by a female artist of all time on Spotify.

    Follow Dua Lipa:
    WEBSITE
    INSTAGRAM
    TWITTER
    FACEBOOK

  • JoongDunk, JimmySea invite fans to the GMMTV FAN DAY 8 in Manila

    JoongDunk, JimmySea invite fans to the GMMTV FAN DAY 8 in Manila

    The first GMMTV Fan Day in Manila is drawing closer and Thai superstars JoongDunk and JimmySea have released videos inviting fans to see them at their respective shows.

    SEE ALSO: GMMTV Fan Day 8 Brings JimmySea and JoongDunk to Manila

    The stars of “Star in My Mind” Joong Archen and Dunk Natachai expressed excitement to meet their Filipino fans for the first time. The duo also gave a playful shout-out to Jimmy and Sea, calling them “handsome friends.”

    Meanwhile, Jimmy Jitaraphol and Sea Tawinan showed off their Tagalog skills, leading their video with cute introductions of “Ako po si Jimmy, [I’m Jimmy]” and “Ako po si Sea [I’m Sea].” The leading men of on-going Thai drama “Last Twilight,” also said that it’s the perfect time to meet Filipino fans.

    Happening on November 18 at The Podium Hall, GMMTV Fan Day 8 in Manila is a special event that features back-to-back fanmeetings with GMMTV artists. The event also includes a fansign activity where fans can see all four GMMTV artists on one stage.

    Tickets for the event are still available via SM Tickets Outlets and https://smtickets.com.

    For more information, follow CDM Entertainment’s official social media accounts.

    “GMMTV FAN DAY 8 IN MANILA” is presented by GMMTV and CDM Entertainment.

  • SEVENTEEN Adds Additional Date to FOLLOW TO BULACAN

    SEVENTEEN Adds Additional Date to FOLLOW TO BULACAN

    SEVENTEEN will return to the Philippine concert stage with a two-day FOLLOW TO BULACAN in January 2024.

    Taking place back-to-back at the Philippine Sports Stadium on January 13 and 14, 2024, SEVENTEEN will make their much-awaited return to the local concert scene. After selling out the January 13 show, the “God of Music” singers added another date to the Philippine stop of their tour.

    SEE ALSO: SEVENTEEN to Write Another History with FOLLOW TO BULACAN

    SEVENTEEN

    The boy group will be the first performer to hold back-to-back concerts at the Philippine Sports Stadium in addition to being the first musical act to hold a solo concert there. Pledis Entertainment posted an announcement on Weverse that read, “Thanks to the support of CARAT, we are holding one more show in Bulacan for the SEVENTEEN TOUR ‘FOLLOW’ TO BULACAN.”

    Tickets to the second day of Follow to Bulacan will go on sale starting November 16, 2023, at 12 p.m., through www.smtickets.com and SM Tickets outlets.

    Follow Tour will serve as the sixth concert tour of SEVENTEEN they brought to the Philippines, following Shining Diamond in 2016, Diamond Edge in 2017, Ideal Cut in 2018, Ode to You in 2020, and Be the Sun in 2022.

    SEVENTEEN TOUR “FOLLOW” TO BULACAN is presented by Live Nation Philippines.

  • BroZone to #BroPpy, a Better Place for Trolls Band Together!

    BroZone to #BroPpy, a Better Place for Trolls Band Together!

    In a stunning twist of fate, Poppy discovers that Branch was once part of the boyband phenomenon, BroZone, which was disbanded when Branch was still a baby. Branch and Poppy courageously set out on a mission to reunite Branch’s two other brothers and save Floyd [Troye Siva], who was kidnapped by Velvet and Veneer, aspiring pop stars.

    Trolls Band Together, directed by Walt Dohrn.

    The plot twist of this sequel is knowing that Poppy has a sister Viva [Camila Cabello]. She bears an uncanny resemblance to the enigmatic Poppy, with blond, curly hair. Viva introduced herself to Poppy but was highly traumatize with bergens that she can’t leave her place to be safe. Poppy and Branch tried to change her thoughts about them by sharing how she loved Bridget [Zooey Deschanel] the sweet, kind-hearted Bergen who married King Gristle Jr.

    Trolls Band Together, directed by Walt Dohrn.

    The movie is set to be entertaining for the whole family, with the ultimate fangirling in every boyband we all miss! The set of songs that graced our ears was nothing short of a mesmerizing spectacle. Each song, carefully selected and flawlessly performed, took us on a thrilling journey through a myriad of emotions. Not only that, our very own P-pop boy band BGYO has recorded their own official version of the “Better Place” chorus to celebrate the release of the much-awaited Trolls Band Together in the country!

    Lesson: “Family is always worth it siblings or not, people should treat each other with kindness.” And “If we come together there’s nothing we can’t do.”

    In Trolls Band Together, Poppy (Anna Kendrick) and Branch (Justin Timberlake) are back for an action-packed, all-star, rainbow-colored new chapter in the beloved Trolls franchise. After two films of true friendship and relentless flirting, Poppy and Branch are now officially, finally, a couple (#broppy)!

    (from left) John Dory (Eric Andre) and Poppy (Anna Kendrick) in Trolls Band Together, directed by Walt Dohrn.

    Trolls Band Together stars a dazzling cast of musical superstars and comedic powerhouses as new franchise characters, including Troye Sivan, Eric Andre, Daveed Diggs and Kid Cudi, as Branch’s brothers and BroZone bandmates; Amy Schumer and Andrew Rannells, as the pop-star villains who kidnap Branch’s brother Floyd; as well as Zosia Mamet, RuPaul Charles, and four-time Grammy nominee and Latin Grammy winner Camila Cabello.The returning cast includes Zooey Deschanel, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Kenan Thompson, Aino Jawo, Caroline Hjelt, Anderson .Paak, Ron Funches and Kunal Nayyar. 

    Trolls Band Together, directed by Walt Dohrn.

    Get ready for another dose of infectious pop music when Trolls Band Together opens in cinemas November 15.

  • P-POP BOY BAND BGYO RECORDS CHORUS VERSION OF *NSYNC’S NEW SINGLE “BETTER PLACE” FOR FILIPINO AUDIENCE

    P-POP BOY BAND BGYO RECORDS CHORUS VERSION OF *NSYNC’S NEW SINGLE “BETTER PLACE” FOR FILIPINO AUDIENCE

    🎶I’m so excited to see you excited🎶… goes the chorus of “Better Place,” lead single from the official soundtrack for Trolls Band Together, and the first musical release in two decades by one of the most successful boy bands in pop music history, *NSYNC.

    Well, P-pop fans, get ready to be even more psyched! Popular P-pop boy band BGYO has recorded their own official version of the “Better Place” chorus to celebrate the release of the much-awaited Trolls Band Together in the Philippines on November 15.

    Trolls Band Together, directed by Walt Dohrn.

    “I enjoyed listening to the music in the past Trolls movie so we are very excited to be a part of this one!” says Nate Porcalla, the youngest of the group. His BGYO brothers – Gelo Rivera, Akira Morishita, JL Toreliza and Mikki Claver are just as excited to share their version of the catchy “Better Place” chorus with their fans, the ACEs.

    Beloved for its signature psychedelic joy-bomb of new and classic pop hits, the latest sequel in the Trolls movie franchise puts the spotlight on band music. And when it comes to Pinoy pop music or P-pop – our own version of deliciously catchy pop band music in the same vein as K-pop and J-pop – who knows better than BGYO? Dubbed as the “Aces of P-pop,” BGYO has taken the Philippine music industry (and then some) by storm.

    Before debuting as idols in 2021, Rivera, Morishita, Toreliza, Claver and Porcalla, trained under ABS-CBN’s Star Hunt Academy with the help of Filipino mentors, as well as South Korean coaches from MU Doctor Academy. The band, whose name stands for “Becoming the change, Going further, You and I, Originally Filipino,” released their debut single, “The Light,” in January 2021, and in less than two weeks after its release, it had already surpassed 100,000 streams on Spotify. The song’s music video was also the fastest P-pop music video to reach 1 million views.

    Trolls Band Together, directed by Walt Dohrn.

    Their second single, “The Baddest,” also made quite a splash. It ranked #1 on two global charts, Billboard’s Next Big Sound and Pandora Predictions Chart. And earlier this year, BGYO was included by the US Recording Academy or the Grammys on its list of exciting Asian artists to check out, for “redefining what it means to be a boy band in the Philippines.”

    “This might be the best movie yet so I hope everybody can watch it. Bring the whole family!”, Nate says.

    In Trolls Band Together, Poppy (Anna Kendrick) and Branch (Justin Timberlake) are back for an action-packed, all-star, rainbow-colored new chapter in the beloved Trolls franchise. After two films of true friendship and relentless flirting, Poppy and Branch are now officially, finally, a couple (#broppy)! As they grow closer, Poppy discovers that Branch has a secret past. He was once part of her favorite boyband phenomenon, BroZone, with his four brothers. BroZone disbanded when Branch was still a baby, as did the family, and Branch hasn’t seen his brothers since. But when Branch’s bro Floyd is kidnapped for his musical talents by a pair of nefarious pop-star villains, Branch and Poppy embark on a harrowing and emotional journey to reunite the other brothers and rescue Floyd from a fate even worse than pop-culture obscurity.

    Trolls Band Together stars a dazzling cast of musical superstars and comedic powerhouses as new franchise characters, including Troye Sivan, Eric Andre, Daveed Diggs and Kid Cudi, as Branch’s brothers and BroZone bandmates; Amy Schumer and Andrew Rannells, as the pop-star villains who kidnap Branch’s brother Floyd; as well as Zosia Mamet, RuPaul Charles, and four-time Grammy nominee and Latin Grammy winner Camila Cabello.

    The returning cast includes Zooey Deschanel, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Kenan Thompson, Aino Jawo, Caroline Hjelt, Anderson .Paak, Ron Funches and Kunal Nayyar. 

    Get ready for another dose of infectious pop music when Trolls Band Together opens in cinemas November 15.