Philippine Concerts

Category: Concert Reviews

  • Alicia Keys: The Girl on Fire Illuminates Manila

    Alicia Keys: The Girl on Fire Illuminates Manila

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    “Music has a way of lifting your spirit and that’s what I hope to do for the Filipino people … To the people of the Philippines: my heart is with you” – Alicia Keys

    14-time Grammy winner, singer, songwriter and pianist Alicia Keys delivered a powerhouse performance on a Monday night at Mall of Asia Arena.

    It’s strange to think that when Alicia Keys first stepped into the music business with her already amazing vocal skills, she was but a fresh faced 19-year old. Her debut single Fallin’ took over the charts and spent weeks at number 1. She hit the ground running and it wasn’t long before her music and her signature braids achieved iconic levels worldwide. The good thing is that even in present day, she’s still just as relevant, writing hits to inspire people.

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    Last Monday, the now 32-year old singer set out to put some much-needed smiles on all the concert goers faces as the country goes through post-Yolanda healing. Hours before the show, Alicia took the time to go to Villamor Airbase to visit the survivors of typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan). The singer’s presence boosted morale and helped ignite hope among the typhoon survivors as she chatted with them and provided supplies to help the relief efforts.
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  • The Sarah G Experience

    The Sarah G Experience

    Flashback 2003 when it all started, who would have thought that it was decade ago? A decade of maturity, strength and who she is right now as a performer. 10 years ago before this has all began, 10 years in the industry that she ever dreamed of from Music to Movies, 10 years making her the undisputed pop star of the country and this day is a celebration of a decade fairy-tale journey to her most deserved FAME.

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    The show started with prayers for the victims and survivor of typhoon Yolanda.

    Fil-Am Jason Farol warmed up the crowd, the 24 year old, 6’1″ tall power balladeer placed 3rd in the reality singing show “Duets” where he was paired with American Idol Kelly Clarkson. He is now also a signed artist of Viva Records, he showcase his charm as a balladeer singing songs from his album such as “I believe in love again”, “Kung ikaw at ako”, and “When the love is gone”.

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    Chants started and excitement is something perceptible around the sold-out crowd of Araneta Coliseum. Sarah opened the stage singing her rendition of Alicia Keys “Brand New Me”, Will.i.am ft. Justin Bieber “that POWER”, and Imagine Dragons “Radioactive”. She also intone some of her songs from her previous albums like “Ikaw”, “Sa Iyo”. Embracing the challenge for her 10th year she sang latest single “Tayo”, fan favorite “Ikot Ikot”, telling a story from the libretto of “Sweetest mistake”, and a statement of “some things can be change and some cannot” from the lyrics of “Eyes on fire” all from her new album entitled Expressions.
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  • One Great Step at The Big Dome

    One Great Step at The Big Dome

    OGSManila

    Infinite Live in Manila

    2013 Infinite 1st World Tour One Great Step is the first world tour of South Korean boy band Infinite. It was launched in support of their 2013 EP and Single album; New Challenge and Destiny. November 3, 2013, Manila experienced one of a kind step from INFINITE at the SMART ARANETA COLISEUM.

    One Great Step Tour Manila

    Almost 4 years since INFINITE debuted on the KPOP scene, the septet group finally performed their solo show in Manila. INFINITE has come to Manila twice, one for DKFC, and this one is for their solo concert. It’s so impressive how much English and tagalog words the band used for the entire show. Hoya told the crowd, “We miss you” while Woohyun addressed their fanbase name, Inspirit, saying “Inspirit, mahal ko kayo”
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  • OneRepublic: One Unforgettable Tour

    OneRepublic: One Unforgettable Tour

    OneRepublic_Manila

    On Wednesday, November 6, 2013, American piano-rock band OneRepublic came to the Smart Araneta Coliseum for their Native tour. The concert not just went encore but turned to be a massive karaoke-fest for their fans. Well, who will never love singing with your favorite band after all? The night started out with a silhouette of  a 5-member band behind a large white curtain, Ryan Tedder, Zach Filkins, Drew Brown , Brent Kutzle and Eddie Fisher opened Native tour in Manila with Don’t Look Down.

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    The curtain dropped and the reaction of the crowd was priceless in the much awaited first appearance of the band on stage, the cello played and the the entire coliseum shook up. The third song of the night treated us to a brilliant performance of one of their hit songs Secrets and followed by All The Right Moves. Patron area was full, trying all the fans to rock their faces off as close to the stage as possible. It seemed that those chairs were unnecessary and OneRepublic had the audience on its feet the whole show.
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  • Explosions in the Sky: In Full Blast

    Explosions in the Sky: In Full Blast

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    Explosions in the Sky, a post-rock band from Texas, live up to their name as they hold their very first concert in Manila. In full blast, the band gave the crowd a chromatic and cinematic evening with their music resounding across the compact venue which was Samsung Hall, located at the topmost floor of the newly constructed SM Aura in Taguig.
    Francis Lorenzo a.k.a. The Ringmaster was the opening act for the evening. He played songs from his recently released debut album titled “Delusion of Reference”, which is characterized by soft, subdued melodies and short yet poignant lyrics.

    Right after, the members of the main act, Explosions in the Sky, proceeded to the stage to set up their own instruments. The band is comprised of Michael James, Munaf Rayani and Mark Smith on electric guitars, Chris Hrasky on drums, and touring member Carlos Torres on bass.

    Unlike the usual international acts, the band didn’t pull any funny stunts nor were they obsessed with keeping the crowd on high. All throughout the evening, they didn’t talk much. In fact, it was only Munaf who addressed the crowd. “Hello?” he spoke the greeting as if it were a question. The crowd, comprised of hundreds, was more than thrilled to respond with much appreciation with their hoots and applause. He continued in a flat tone, “Magandang gabi. Salamat sa o… oras niyo.” Stammering a bit in between and with a slight smile on his face, he said, “Kami po ang Explosions in the Sky.”
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  • Creed Takes Manila Back to a Different Era of Rock

    Creed Takes Manila Back to a Different Era of Rock

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    Around the closing of the 90s to the beginning years of the 21st century, Creed was one band you could not have possibly ignored. They’re that rock band with the burly vocalist with long, dark, curly dark hair whose voice that draws on the depths of earth or something. Armed with killer guitar solos and lyrics that delved into your existentialist views, Creed is a band that would have made an impact on you regardless of what age group you belonged to. You surely would remember “With Arms Wide Open”, “Higher”, “Bullets” and their more recent and more iconic hit “My Sacrifice” – songs that now seem to belong to a different era, but fortunately, Creed was able to give Manila a taste of it through their concert in the Big Dome last November 11, 2012.

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    The mesh of foreign acts passing through Manila is no news to anyone, but there’s still a bit of surprise in everyone when it was announced that Creed would play in Smart Araneta Coliseum. We surely haven’t heard much from them in a long time. Hey, we weren’t even sure they were still together. (Remember Alter Bridge?) But whatever the case, anyone who had seen their show that evening was more than glad that they were there to witness the band’s intense performance.
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  • SS5: Super Junior’s Explosive Return

    SS5: Super Junior’s Explosive Return

    Super Junior World Tour Manila

    Super Junior successfully ended their one-night Super Show 5 world tour concert on October 24th with a full crowd at Mall of Asia Arena. SS5 Manila  marked the return of member Heechul, who served in the South Korea military for two years. Absentees Yesung and Leeteuk are still fulfilling their military duties though fans also await their return for the next installment of Super Show.

    SS5 Live in Manila

    The MOA Arena pulsated with unbarred excitement as Everlasting Friends(also known as ELFs) filled the venue toting their homemade made banners,shirts, ballers and other SuJu items. The humongous stage setup weaving around different sections of the audience was merely a preview of the phenomenal show that was to be expected. When the moment finally arrived for the group to take the stage, the cheers rose to a deafening roar.
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  • The Fray Raised the Big Dome’s Heartbeat

    The Fray Raised the Big Dome’s Heartbeat

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    “Mahal ko kayo!”

    Isaac shouted right before playing “All At Once”, the first song the band played. In an instant, the audience was uprooted from the comfort of their seats. 10th of November 2012, roughly five months after the postponement of their concert, the fans were still the edge of their seats, screaming and cheering at every song and every word that the band had to put out. As first-timers in the mystical place called Manila, The Fray was uniquely well-versed with some of the basic Filipino greetings such as “kamusta” and “mabuhay”. While anyone could easily dismiss that as a casual sign of respect in any foreign land, you would know in the way Isaac let go of those words that he meant them; that he wanted to connect with the Filipino audience in a different level. That was precisely what kept the fans markedly thrilled during that evening. That is, of course, excluding the fact that they were superlatively excited to see The Fray for the first time ever.

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    “We’re The Fray. We’re from Denver, Colorado. You guys like to sing? You guys like to dance a little bit? It’s gonna be a good night. Hold on to your horses.”
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  • SugarSmashGin: 4-Hour Trip to the 90s

    SugarSmashGin: 4-Hour Trip to the 90s

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    The Big Dome became a portal back to the era of 90s alternative rock as three prominent bands of that time, Smash Mouth, Sugar Ray and Gin Blossoms, came together for a one-night concert on the 21st of October. The show, which lasted for almost four hours, filled the Dome with that lingering nostalgia as the three bands played the songs that filled the airwaves and television screens from 15 to 20 years ago. (Just counting how many years it has been is enough to inspire that longing)
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  • Ballads of the Past Back to Back to Back

    Ballads of the Past Back to Back to Back

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    October 18, 2013 – Three great balladeers of the 70s to 80s: Michael Johnson, Stephen Bishop and Joe Puerta performed their unparalleled hits together at the Big Dome. Titled as “Back to Back to Back”, the event turned out to be a jam-packed stage graced by a variety of talented local and international performers with a few bonuses here and there. The three-hour concert lingered with the songs that undeniably induced nostalgia among the crowd.

    The evening was opened by two significant Filipino acts. First up were the classical pop tenor trio, The Angelos who performed a resounding rendition of “Anong Nangyari sa Ating Dalawa?” and Bruno Mars’ “Just the Way You Are”.

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    Shortly after, one of the most enduring OPM bands, Side A, also took the stage to perform a set of their unforgettable hits including “Hold On”, “So Many Questions”, “Tell Me”, “Forevermore” and “Tuloy Pa Rin”. Their set received a warm reception from the crowd who sang along and cheered as they played one song after another.
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  • Shane Filan Serenades Manila for the Fifth Time

    Shane Filan Serenades Manila for the Fifth Time

    Shane Filan Philippine Promo Tour

    September 2013 marks Shane Filan’s fifth time in Manila.

    The first four visits were during his years as the lead vocalist of Westlife, the boy band that unquestionably took Manila by storm. At the height of Westlife’s fame in the early 2000s, the Irish lads had experienced a reception that was equivalent to mania every time. Fans would scream at their faces, cry at their mere presence and act insane to grab their attention.

    His fifth and latest visit here, however, was very different from others. This time, for the first time ever, Shane Filan came alone. Although the mania has slightly toned down, he still managed to get as much love and devotion from his fans.

    Shane Filan Live in Manila

    After the band’s decision to split was announced following their Gravity World Tour in 2011, Shane Filan had resolved to pursue a career as a solo artist. It was only in 2013 that he put his resolution to reality. During the last week of August, his four-track EP titled “Everything to Me” was released. Shortly after, he started promoting his music by launching worldwide tour.
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  • The Power of Two Take Over the Big Dome

    The Power of Two Take Over the Big Dome

    Aiza Seguerra

    Charice Concert

    September 28 , 2013 – The Big Dome was overtaken by two of the industry’s most talented female performers. For the first time, Aiza Seguerra and Charice Pempengco headlined a major concert, drawing in thousands of people and leaving the in awe. In the three-hour concert, the two gave such powerful performances that proved their brilliance as artists.

    A stunning entrance struck the Big Dome as the evening’s stars, Aiza and Charice, sang and danced to a medley of Michael Jackson’s “Black and White”, “Beat It” and “The Way You Make Me Feel”.  Aiza was dressed in her usual all-black fashion while Charice wore a light blue suit. Seeing the two together onstage for the first time, one can immediately see the joint effort they put in together – Charice with her high notes and unerring charisma and Aiza with her natural sincerity and the voice to express it well.
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  • The Killers: Thunderously Electrifying

    The Killers: Thunderously Electrifying

    The Killers Live in Manila

    When the lightning bolt was finally set up at the middle of the stage, shouts of joy echoed in the audience. The Killers were really here. They were finally in Manila. True enough, just like a real lightning bolt out of the sky, the band gave Manila a concert that was so electrifying, it induced a frenetic energy among the thousands who were there.

    This year, it was The Killers’ first time to set foot in Manila for their Battle Born World Tour. Their one-night concert was so thunderously electrifying, they left a trail of victims in euphoria and astonishment at the end of it.

    The Killers Live at the Smart Araneta Coliseum

    “Mabuhay, Manila! Sa wakas, The Killers are here! Thank you for not giving up on us!” Brandon Flowers, the band’s frontman, joyfully proclaimed at the beginning of the concert, pronouncing the Filipino words in an awkward yet amusing accent. He said it right, though. Three years after the cancellation of the Day & Age Tour in 2010, many of their fans were downtrodden. Still, they managed to hold on as proven by the magnanimous presence of the audience at the Big Dome on the evening of the September 26.
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  • Jazz, Soul and Blues: George Benson and Patti Austin at the Big Dome

    Jazz, Soul and Blues: George Benson and Patti Austin at the Big Dome

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    September 5, 2013 – The Big Dome was transcended to the age of jazz, soul and blues as two of the prominent artists of the era graced the Manila stage for a night of pure classic music. Grammy Award winning artists Patti Austin and George Benson treated their audience to a trip down the good, old memory lane with the songs that captivated their generation’s hearts at one point in time.

    The crowd was sizable, composed mainly of people who are in their 30s and above. They are not to be taken lightly though, because even with their age, they do know how to enjoy the show. Throughout the concert, the hoots and cheers were undying. Anyone can tell that people were having a great time, enthralled with the classic hits performed by the two.
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  • Another One for the Books – Bazooka Rocks II

    Another One for the Books – Bazooka Rocks II

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    As typhoons hit the Metro, one after the other, there is no mistaking the hurricane that swept us all away – Bazooka Rocks 2013. On its second wave, the music festival was a surefire hit that left its attendees with the aching nostalgic experience dubbed as post concert depression. Twelve bands in fourteen hours; who wouldn’t want to keep replaying those memories in their heads?

    The vibe throughout the festival was palpable: thousands of bodies swarming around the venue,their voices thrumming against the background music, waiting for their favorite acts to come on stage. And when they did, the energy that pulsated in the crowd was undeniable.

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    The halls of the SMX convention center had come to life. Numerous tents bordered the venue – food kiosks, a photo booth station, phone charging areas, San Miguel stalls giving out free flavored beer, and carnival-like booths — pop the balloon, neon face paint, rent a plush animal ride, and the giant inflatable slide. Lee Jeans Philippines even had their own nook at the venue, hosting a lounge area for fans and a balcony section for VIP guests. The booth that held the most attention was, of course, the merchandise booth, where fans could meet and greet their favorite band during intermission.

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