Philippine Concerts

Category: Concert Reviews

  • A Screaming Night with Bring Me The Horizon

    A Screaming Night with Bring Me The Horizon

    bring-me-the-horizon-live-in-manila

    British metalcore band Bring Me the Horizon invaded Manila for the first time last March 6, 2013 First, I wasn’t sure whether they would have any opening acts, until vocalist Oliver Sykes of came out with a good amount of energy as he greeted the crowd. He was right on the spot with his vocals, it was throaty and raw, but had enough power to shake your core.

    bring-me-the-horizon-live-at-sm-skydome
    Oliver Sykes lead vocalist of BMTH

    The set started with SHADOW MOSES and CHELSEA SMILE. The pit opened up instantly, and all of the hardcore kids immediately went to the pit. The mood in Sky Dome changed, and instantly got better. The attitude of the concert goers became more intense.

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  • Motion City Soundtrack Holds the Skydome Down

    Motion City Soundtrack Holds the Skydome Down

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    9th of March 2013 – The Skydome was the venue of hundreds and hundreds of hardcore fans, those kids who live with and love Motion City Soundtrack’s music. In truth, the forceful energy of the crowd matched that of a full-house arena. As the band dished out different hits from their five albums, the full attention and appreciation of the audience focused on one thing – the music. As they banged their heads, punched through the air, sang and danced around, they lavished the experience of seeing such an awesome band performing in front of them.

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    “That was truly amazing! Thank you for taking the time to be here, when you can be anywhere else!” (more…)

  • Artist Paradise Found at Malasimbo Music & Arts Festival

    Artist Paradise Found at Malasimbo Music & Arts Festival

    Malasimbo Music & Arts Festival 2013
    March 1-3, 2013
    Puerto Galera, Mindoro

    Malasimbo Music & Arts Festival 2013

    One would be hard-pressed to attempt to describe the acid trip that is Malasimbo Music and Arts Festival. The three day feast for the senses is set in Mt. Malasimbo, a dominating figure over the beaches of Puerto Galera, Mindoro. Known as a great hiking trail because of its lush foot-hills and jaw-dropping landscape, it is also home to the biggest music festival in the Philippines—an annual event where people come to be with friends, meet new and interesting people, party and enjoy good music. The best part is you all hang out part time at the beach and at a grass terrace amphitheater on top of a mountain for the weekend. Sounds pretty cool doesn’t it?

    Malasimbo Festival Joss Stone and Quest
    Joss Stone and local talent Quest jamming on the shores of Puerto Galera

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  • Sleeping with Sirens and Pierce the Veil: Kings for a Day

    Sleeping with Sirens and Pierce the Veil: Kings for a Day

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    Pulp Live World gives royalty a new meaning when Sleeping with Sirens and Pierce the Veil ruled the SM Skydome on the 16th of February. Not only did the fans get the royal treatment they deserve, the bands got as much, if not more, in return. Bragging a full house, just about every corner of the Skydome was occupied – the mosh pit bursting, the gen ad area spilling over. The two post-hardcore bands, known to be close friends with one another, proved to be the perfect match as they owned the stage song after song after song. A more tangible proof of their connection is the song “King for a Day” wherein Pierce the Veil featured Kellin Quinn, vocalist of Sleeping with Sirens.

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    Sleeping with Sirens was first up to rock the Skydome. (more…)

  • Barbie’s Cradle Reunites!

    Barbie’s Cradle Reunites!

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    Valentine’s Day might have come a few days late for those who were in Eastwood last Sunday evening, but it was nonetheless sweet –the kind tinged with nostalgia, small teary-eyed moments and the widest of smiles. Barbie’s Cradle was part of the acts for the Valentine Reunion gigs hosted by Megaworld Lifestyle malls around the Metro. After performing at Venice Piazza on the 14th and Lucky Chinatown on the 15th, Eastwood was the last venue that showcased a significant moment in the Filipino music scene: the reunion of Barbie’s Cradle.

    Barbie’s Cradle, after all this time, remains to be one of the most prominent female-fronted bands in the history of OPM. From their introduction in 1998 until their disbandment in 2005, the band had released 3 iconic albums, featuring mellow but catchy Christian-themed songs that were both inspirational as they were.
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  • The Para Thrilla Take Over

    The Para Thrilla Take Over

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    The stage, like a boxing ring, was ready for its entertainers to step in and give one heck of a performance. A day after Valentines, everyone was still painting the town red. This time, it was a different kind of celebration: one that both couples and singles would relish.

    Almost three years since their debut concert in Manila, it was about time for the Franklin-based group to come back. It was only months since their first concert in the country when the fanswere hit with sad and shocking news – the Farro brothers had departed the band. Fans were left wondering what was next for Paramore. Fast-forward to 2013, the band made it through, and are more excited than ever to conquer the world (again).

    The night began when American musicians mewithoutYou officially kicked off the show. According to Paramore’s lead singer, Hayley Williams, mewithoutYou has been a band she has loved since she was a teenager. To have them open for her own band must have been a surreal experience.

    The crowd was brimming with so much energy even from the beginning; as the stage was being prepared for Paramore, fans were already screaming in excitement. At 9’o clock, the lights in the MOA Arena went out. The crowd knew, as Hayley would later in the night put it, “It all begins now.” (more…)

  • Jessica and Colton Serenade Manila

    Jessica and Colton Serenade Manila

    It was a different kind of Valentine’s Day for the thousands of fans at the Araneta Coliseum Thursday night. The internet had been buzzing for weeks with countdowns and preparations not only for the most romantic day of the year, but also for the day that American Idol favorites Jessica Sanchez and Colton Dixon would return to the Philippine stage.

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  • The Ataris Rocks Eastwood

    The Ataris Rocks Eastwood

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    The Ataris Live in Manila Concert Review: The Ataris Rocks Eastwood

    In fact, they did, and they did it well.

    The Philippines welcomed its 1st foreign punk rock act for the year as The Ataris held the 1st of their 2 shows at Eastwood Central Plaza on the 19th of January.

    The punk rock band from Indiana, has been digging deep in the U.S. underground music scene since 1995. From playing in unknown bars to being part of the ever renowned Warped Tour, the band had made some mileage across a selected group of listeners across the world. The Ataris is known for coming up with the best and most memorable pop-punk tracks over the years. The band’s definitive brew is characterized by downright personal lyrics containing stories about coming of age, the little meltdowns of relationships and the elusive search for individuality, mixed with dynamic punk riffs and beats. To top all that, add the edgy vocals of Kristopher Roe, who has been the main driving force of the band ever since its humble beginnings. He composes most (if not all) of the songs, and remains to be the only consistent member of the band. After going through a lot of changes over the years, the current lineup includes Thomas Holst on guitar, Bryan Nelson on bass and Erik Perkins on drums.
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  • Raving the Night Away

    Raving the Night Away

    Swedish House Mafia Live in Manila

    The sixteenth day of 2013 witnessed an extravagant party that left its attendees hung over for days. On that chilly night, the Mall of Asia Arena was transformed from a simple concert venue to fit the ultimate rave. To describe that night as epic would be an understatement.

    Sebastian Ingrosso, Axwell, and Steve Angello, better known as The Swedish House Mafia have definitely made a mark in the electronic dance music scene. Their debut concert in Manila is also their last in the country. They announced late June of last year that they would be going on One Last Tour – the official name of their current tour.

    Inside the Arena, the atmosphere was an excited one. People were shuffling in and out of the venue, and official merchandise was selling out fast. Upon entering the Arena proper, one would get a club-like vibe. There was a huge dance floor, and to its left and right were sections with tables and two bar areas. If not for the surrounding bleachers behind the tables, one would have mistaken the Arena as a club.

    At around eleven in the evening after Martin Pulgar and Quintino finished their sets, it was time for the rave to begin. Lights out, hands raised, heads banging and fists pumping — the crowd was psyched for the Swedish trio to take their places behind the DJ table.

    The whole arena was at a blackout when suddenly lights started flickering on stage. The screen, which was as huge as a movie theater’s, showed 1/3 of their logo — a white dot — fading in. Suddenly, everything went black again as if teasing the already animated audience. The screen lit up again, this time with more images flashing together with thunder-like sounds. The beats were getting faster until finally they hit a cliff: a cue for the audience to scream even louder as they anticipated the trio to enter.

    The stage went white. What appeared to be the screen was actually a white cloth that fell to ground, and revealed the set-up: there were two silhouettes mixing behind the huge table, and the real screen lay at their backs. By the third minute of their introductory song, the screen displayed their official logo.

    Swedish House Mafia One Last Tour

    “We Come. We Rave. We Love.”
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  • Manila on Fire

    Manila on Fire

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    A knock out caught the world by surprise. Many were still in shock hours after Manny Pacquiao received an unexpected blow and fell to the ground. Though it was the current buzz, another storm was to take the Metro like a bolt of thunder.

    Hitting the country with a surge of sound for the second time in a year is Phoenix-based band, This Century. Having dominated the charts of radio stations such as RX 93.1, it is no wonder that they are back in just six months. Previously alongside We Are The In Crowd and Set Your Goals in June, they had their first headliner in the country last December 9 and 10.

    December 9, 2012 at The Venice Piazza, McKinley Hill

    The Venice Piazza open grounds, usually empty save for the benches engulfing the area, was transformed to a concert venue that evening. The set-up was quite different from the usual concert layout. A small twist to the arrangement was the tables surrounding the VIP section. Newfound fans were watching from their tables as they ate while others, simply put: rocked the night out.

    The moment This Century had bolted on stage they ignited the spark that would send the crowd exploding into a ball of energy. The sound of the keyboard broke the silence, signaling the show’s commencement. To those familiar with the tune of the piano, they anticipated the simultaneous entrance of the drums and guitar. “Don’t stop me from falling,” Joel Kanitz, the lead singer, began. And the crowd had already started to sing along.
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  • Greyson Chance Launches New EP with Some Christmas Lights at TriNoma

    Greyson Chance Launches New EP with Some Christmas Lights at TriNoma

    greyson chance live at trinoma

    Greyson Chance must really love Manila. For the third time in the span of a year, he visited to Philippines to play two shows at two prominent Ayala Malls – Market! Market! and Trinoma – for the promotion of his newly released EP titled “Truth Be Told Part 1”. Last April, the 15-year old American singer-songwriter/pianist held a major concert in the Big Dome. Seven months after, he came back not only to give his fans a taste of his new compositions, but also to officially open TriNoma’s Merry Musical Lights, the mall’s Christmas show that uses the choreography of thousands of lights in tune with music.

    The TriNoma Activity Center was packed with teenage fans way before the concert started. For hours, they lined up to get their hands on the limited EP bundle that would be their ticket to the concert. The fans filled not only the Activity Center, but also every area in every floor where they can get a decent look at their much awaited idol.
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  • Big Bang: Beyond Alive

    Big Bang: Beyond Alive

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    As early as the afternoon, VIPs, how Big Bang fans are called, were already beginning to flock the surroundings of the Mall of Asia Arena. The booths outside, which featured the band’s official merchandise and some of their advertised brands, were raided by fans. Their life-sized cardboard representations alone proved to be quite an attraction to the frantic audience that was just waiting to storm the arena to see their much loved Korean boy band.

    Even with the overflow of foreign acts that passed Manila, Big Bang’s Alive tour remained to be one of the highly anticipated events of the year as the band makes their way around unchartered territories for their first ever world tour. K-pop, which has spread its influence over people like wildfire, definitely burned its influence in the Philippines, as the genre infectiously catches more and more Filipino fans who ardently and painstakingly make the effort to learn their language just to sing along to their songs and understand their raw interviews.

    Since their debut in 2006, T.O.P., G-Dragon, Daesung, Seungri and Taeyang have always stood out among others not just because of their undeniable good looks, but also with their trendsetting fashion sensibilities and their ability to compose their own songs. Over the years, they have proved to be capable as both musicians and performers by creating their own brand of hiphop. The band is now one of the most well known Korean acts across the world, inspiring a cult-like following from most of its fan base.

    The 24th of October was marked as their first stop in Manila. Surely enough, no rain, no distance, no threat of bankruptcy was going to keep their fans from seeing the show. Outside, long queues of people were frantically waiting for the gates to open. The VIPs, proudly wearing crown headbands and strutting in outlandish fashion, eagerly waited to get in among thousands of others. On their hands were meticulously designed banners that express their appreciation for the five boys and the official Big Bang crown light sticks. Their imagination, running wild. Their anticipation, just so obviously soaring.
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  • Tonight Alive Lets It Land in Manila

    Tonight Alive Lets It Land in Manila

    Tonight Alive Live in Manila

    Female-fronted bands are rarities these days. Whenever we see one, our curiosity and our skepticism just flare up abnormally. With their own brand of pop-punk, Tonight Alive is one such band that is starting to make noise around the world. While they have yet to reach mainstream success here in the Philippines, they are slowly but steadily gaining a loyal fanbase as proven in their concert at SM Skydome last September 22. Fronted by a lady named Jenna McDougall,  the band from down under valiantly took the stage that night.
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  • Keane’s Strangeland Hits Manila

    Keane’s Strangeland Hits Manila

    Keane Live in Manila

    After eight years of breaking through borders with the familiarly melodic tunes of Hopes and Fears, the second day of October 2012 was finally set as Keane’s first visit in Manila for their Strangeland tour. Since the release of Strangeland last March, the British quartet has been on an extensive, nonstop tour across the globe to promote their new album. While the country-hopping could surely be exhausting, the four of them showed absolutely no sign of it as they powerfully enthralled Manila with an overwhelming set of 26 songs that lasted for almost two hours. The SM Mall of Asia Arena became the venue that thousands of Strangers (how Keane fans are called) and casual music enthusiasts would remember as a night of great, pure music. Indeed, every person on that arena can tell you with every ounce of truth that experiencing Keane’s music live was worth every year, every second of waiting.

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  • Aiza Seguerra Owns the Big Dome at Bente Singko

    Aiza Seguerra Owns the Big Dome at Bente Singko

    aiza seguerra concert at big dome

    Twenty five years of being in showbiz is, by itself, a feat. With the multitudes of talents coming and going, many end up unrecognized and unappreciated. Aiza Seguerra, that child star who started out in Eat Bulaga, fortunately managed to live in it for such a long time. Despite the controversies and speculations thrown toward her, she proved that she has the guts to stand strong. Proof? The Big Dome was almost full during Bente Singko, her 25th anniversary concert. She definitely owned Araneta for the night.

    aiza segurra anniversary concert

    Most of us remember her as the cutesy child star who won Little Miss Philippines in 1987 and eventually became a regular in Eat Bulaga. As an actress, her name was frequently billed as the daughter of Vic Sotto in movies. It was in her teenage years that she started pursuing a career in music.

    That night, the show was as much a concert as it was a tribute to the people whom she holds close. It was a celebration of music and her life. Showcasing a diverse array of Filipino talents that ranged from showbiz beginners to icons, the show was indeed a joy to watch from start to finish. With the ABS-CBN Philharmonic orchestra completely backing it up, the meticulously produced and organized event proved to be a success.
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