Philippine Concerts

Category: Concert Reviews

  • Fantastic night with Big Bang

    Fantastic night with Big Bang

    Big Bang Live at Mall of Asia Arena

    It seems like a long time ago since Big Bang played out their first concert in Manila as part of their Alive world tour. The turnout of the show was amazing at MOA Arena, Filipino fans, known as VIPs must be one of the most supportive fan clubs I’ve ever seen. Dedicated VIPs, started lining up as early as 12PM for the second concert of Big Bang with light sticks, customized shirts, bracelets and even tattoos on their faces. After nearly three years of waiting, it was worth seeing a new level of G-Dragon, T.O.P, Taeyang, Daesung, and Seungri. I noticed a huge difference from Big Bang’s Alive Tour in Manila. Back then they did not interact too much with their fans, during Made tour in Manila, they effortlessly talked to their fans in English without help from an interpreter.
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  • Team Breezy Forever

    Team Breezy Forever

    Chris Brown Live in Manila 2015

    Love him or hate him, the 26-year old American superstar had a great crowd at the MOA Arena. Chris Brown’s spotlight nearly came to an end after the most talked-about beat-down of Rihanna. However, no one can deny his amazing talent. His albums performed well on charts, his songs received a lot of attentions and became party anthems. Chris has changed. He’s not the same as he was five years ago, it’s all about his music and talent.

    Grammy award-winning R&B, soul and hip-hop artist, Chris Brown finally made his way back to Manila after nearly 7 years. His headlining concert at Philippine Arena should have happened 7 months ago but due to unforeseen situation, he was not able to make it to the show. As promised, it was rescheduled and did not disappoint to give us an amazing night.
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  • PTX: A Breath of Fresh Air

    PTX: A Breath of Fresh Air

    1, 2, 3 chill! Manila just experienced a new type of music as Scott, Mitch, Kirstie, Avi and Kevin of Pentatonix burst onstage to give their fans what they have waited for. Right after the tick of a clock was a moment we don’t want to miss since we kinda feel we’ve waited long enough.

    Pentatonix Live in Manila

    It was almost strange to see a stage with no instruments or pyrotechnics, this is the band that doesn’t need any introduction, a group that doesn’t need any front act. Just a simple stage, a few well-coordinated lights and five microphones and when they get going, their voices easily fill any venue with power and precision. Right after the show started, fans and non fans understood why they don’t need anything nor anyone because the group was made to be a band on a bond of pitch perfect harmony. So if you ask “What’s our favorite part of their Manila Concert?” we’ll about to give it to you!
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  • One Fine Night with James Ingram

    One Fine Night with James Ingram

    James Ingram Live in Manila 2015

    Your face is beaming – That was the exact phrase to describe how I felt when I received the message that I’ll be watching the Multi-awarded singer-songwriter James Ingram. I had this feeling of him serenading me since I’ve known his music.

    The show was opened by retro band Route 70, Mark Mabasa and the Asia’s Nightingale. It was my first time to hear Route 70 and I liked how they grace the crowd with their own take of OPM. My favorite part of the set of Mark Mabasa was when he did a mash up of John Legends “All of me” and Ed Sheerans “Thinking out loud”. Same thing goes with Ms. Lani Misalucha, I never thought how good she was. I was moved by angels in heaven with her voice.

    James Ingram opened the show with “One hundred ways” followed by his fan favorite songs. The concert of three-time Grammy Award winner James Ingram won’t be complete without him singing his Grammy Award-winning song, “Just Once”.
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  • Idina Menzel: A Gift in Music

    Idina Menzel: A Gift in Music

    Idina Menzel Live at Mall of Asia Arena

    I can still remember the very first time I’ve heard her voice and it was through her song “Brave” that I started to read more about her. She was the voice behind some remarkable Broadway shows and of course the Disney’s mega-blockbuster animation “Frozen” as the voice of Elsa. Idina Menzel quickly became one of the world’s hottest and most talked-about singers of 2014, with the film’s massive hit “Let it Go” single dominating the Billboard’s singles chart for 13 consecutive weeks.
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  • 20 years and Still Going Strong

    20 years and Still Going Strong

    Celebrating 20 years in the music industry, Irish boyband Boyzone stepped back to Manila for their one-night concert at the Araneta Coliseum on May 26. The boys, minus Stephen (who died in Majorca in 2009) continued to tour as a 4-member group and released an album Brother as a tribute to Stephen.

    Boyzone Live in Manila

    MANILA, Philippines – Take me back to 90’s. Years have passed but the lads proved that they’re still the band we’ve known 20 years back. 18 years before they got back in Manila and they made sure that the long wait was worth it by creating newfangled time in their “BZ20 The Anniversary Tour”.
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  • Manila on a Summer High

    Manila on a Summer High

    CloseUp Forever Summer

    There are a number of reasons why summer is one of the most anticipated seasons: vacation leaves, beach outings, international trips, and the allure of freedom. Filipinos have another reason to anticipate this dry, sultry season. An annual music festival, Closeup Forever Summer has become the country’s biggest summer party.

    Last year, Closeup gave the crowd complete control over the direction of the festival. They were able to create-their-own festival as they responded to crucial questions like what music genre they preferred and the activities they wanted. It was such a huge success that they did it again this year. Though last year focused on the electronic dance music (EDM) scene, this year, instead of choosing one, Closeup gave into both requests with a lineup that included indie and EDM.
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  • Eden Shireen and Braiden Wood at SM Marikina

    Eden Shireen and Braiden Wood at SM Marikina

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    Eden Shireen and Braiden Wood took over the stage at SM City Marikina on May 15 and 16, respectively. The two remarkable songwriters/musicians hailing from Florida played their own acoustic sets in the middle of the mall, delighting their fans and creating new ones among the curious spectators around the venue.

    The two-day event also gave way to our local talents including Madel, Watch Your Step, I Am Madness and Traffic Jam. Each of them played a interesting mixture of covers and original songs, attracting the attention of the crowd. Prior to their concert, the two artists also held meet and greet sessions inside the mall.
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  • Urbandub: “Endless”

    Urbandub: “Endless”

    Urbandub Farewell Concert

    May 9, 2015 – From sunrise to sundown, the heat had a pulse of its own as it smothered the city as if to choke the life out of it. Even the breeze that day, in its minimal outbursts, exasperated the situation with nothing but more and more warmth. It was a typical summer day in Manila. By evening, however, things shifted to another dimension. At around 7pm, torrential rain suddenly started pouring around the city. The wind, as it swept ferociously, brought about an unusual chill. It was around that time, too, when another seemingly mind-boggling event was about to unfold.
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  • A Prismatic Anniversary: Katy Perry Live in the Philippines

    A Prismatic Anniversary: Katy Perry Live in the Philippines

    Katy Perry Live in Manila 2015

    “Is this, what, thirty thousand Filipinos here tonight?”

    The Philippine Arena roared their assent right back at pop superstar Katy Perry as the Prismatic World Tour kicked off in what was sure to be the venue’s biggest international event yet.

    It was no secret that a high-voltage show awaited Manila’s Katycats, and visit number three immediately fulfilled expectations.

    Lasers of every color pierced the darkness and the show began with an LED-lit rendition of Roar, with even Katy herself clad in neon lights from ponytail to shimmering skirt hems.

    Katy Perry Philippine Arena
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  • Demi Lovato, an Artist to Remember

    Demi Lovato, an Artist to Remember

    “I may not be in your country always, but my music is” – Demi Lovato.

    Demi Lovato Live in Manila

    Camp Rock star, Demi Lovato, never imagined that she’d be fortunate enough to perform in our country for the second time. She dreamed, hoped and prayed that people would know her songs that she was able to witness at Mall of Asia Arena last April 30. The former Disney star is now grown and proved that she can be a pop and rock star while performing on stage. Demi World Tour in Manila showcased her vocal ability and some dancing skills with an overall message of being strong no matter what happens, true to yourself and holding out for a good relationship.
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  • VIXX brings Fantasia Utopia to Manila

    VIXX brings Fantasia Utopia to Manila

    VIXX Live in Manila

    Voice, Visual, Value in Excelsis, also known as VIXX, showcased their “fantasy-like” performances during the Manila leg of their tour entitled VIXX Live Fantasia Manila Utopia.

    The boys opened the night with powerful numbers as they performed “On and On,” “Voodoo Doll,” “Light Up The Darkness,” and “Secret Night.”

    Fans then squealed during their talk when the boys tried to introduce themselves in Filipino.

    VIXX Live in Manila

    The six-member group consists of N, Leo, Ken, Ravi, Hongbin, and Hyuk. Leader N and maknae (youngest) Hyuk, together with BTOB’s Sungjae and GOT7’s Jackson, are also part of the project group Big Byung. On the other hand, Leo and Ken recently got lead roles in the musical Full House and Chess respectively. Visual Hongbin appeared in the drama Glorious Days, while Ravi was part of the sports variety program Let’s Go! Dream Team Season 2.
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  • Camping Out at Wanderland

    Camping Out at Wanderland

    Wanderland Festival 2015

    Not even the possibility of a heat stroke stopped Wanderers from crusading to pitch their mats, colorful cloths, and set up camp at the grassy landscape at Globe Circuit Grounds for the third installment of Wanderland. Wanderers—rather, Wanderscouts, for this year’s camp-themed festival—were immersed in an adventure that brought them back to nature. They gathered around the musical bonfire to revel in the mystical land that is Wandercamp.
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  • Rebelution blazes Manila summer with roots reggae

    Rebelution blazes Manila summer with roots reggae

    Rebelution Live in Manila

    Rebelution fired up Manila’s summer concert season with sweltering sounds of roots reggae last April 11 at the SM North EDSA Skydome. It was everything one could expect from a reggae gig: everyone’s senses were filled and lit up with the spirit of Rebelution’s songs such as “Safe and Sound”, “More Love”, “So High,” and “Bright Side of Life”.

    Rebelution Live at SM Skydome

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    Fans were in for a treat with a steady energy throughout the set, culminating to a soulful delivery of “Feeling Alright” in the encore. There’s nothing like a great reggae gig to put everyone in the mood for some more fun in the sun!

    Special Thanks to Pulp Live World

    More Rebelution Live in Manila Photos

    Photos and Words by Peter Tolibas

  • A Taste of Hip Hop from Epik High

    A Taste of Hip Hop from Epik High

    South Korean hip-hop group Epik High recently visited Manila last April 18 for their Epik High Concert Parade at the SM North EDSA Skydome.

    Epik High Live in Manila

    Tablo, Mithra, and DJ Tukutz opened the night with songs “Encore,” “Fly,” “Up,” and “Burj Khalifa.”

    During their spiels, Tablo commented, “It’s really hot here! In Korea, it’s still a little winterish. We were surprised when we got here! I think it’s too hot, we need to cool down a bit.”

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    The trio then proceeded to sing tracks “It’s Cold,” “Umbrella,” “Map The Soul,” and “Happen Ending.”

    Hundreds of Highskools (fanclub name) sang their heart out when the group sang “Love Love Love” and Tablo’s version of Big Bang Taeyang’s “Eyes, Nose, Lips.”

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    The party was only getting started as Tablo shouted, “[You’re all] totally great! Hot is better than cold! It’s perfectly hot here! I love it! Should we get hotter?”

    Fans jumped up and down when they performed “Kill This Love,” “High Technology,” “One,” and “New Beautiful.”

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    It was also a sight to see DJ Tukutz dance solo! We also can’t help but giggle at Tablo’s cute antics when he played with DJ Tukutz’s DJ set. And we also can’t forget how Mithra poured water over himself. Must have been really hot, eh? Hot enough for the three to also pour water over the audience! Highskools don’t seem to mind it, too.

    Epik High then sang their last song for the night “Fan.” But fans won’t go home without hearing their latest single “Born Hater.” The fans chanted “Born Hater!” “Born Hater!”

    A few seconds after, Tablo, Mithra, and DJ Tukutz came back on stage to finally sing the most anticipated song of the night “Born Hater.” They ended the night my personal favorite “Don’t Hate Me.”

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    The intimate venue is really what made the concert even more special. It felt like one private party for all Filipino Highskools, we can’t wait till the boys visit the country again!

    Special Thanks to Pulp Live World

    By Gia Allana