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MODERN-DAY INDIE PUNK ROCK HEROES TURNOVER WILL END AUGUST WITH A CONCERT IN THE PHILIPPINES!

Pop punk and indie rock both have certainly come a long way and evolved into more inclusive and musically adventurous genres and without a doubt, Virginia Beach natives TURNOVER are definitely one of the biggest names in the underground scene that are among the catalysts of this evolution.

And Filipino fans know it, which is why they will be excited to know that the band – consisting of vocalist Austin Getz, bassist Danny Dempsey, guitarist Nick Rayfield and drummer Casey Getz – will be returning to our shores, as part of their Asia Tour 2023. Truly, both longtime followers and fans of underground music with dream-pop, shoegaze, and emo sensibilities know that this is the event specifically for them!

The event is produced by PULP LIVE WORLD and co-presented by Skesh Entertainment and will be held at the Skydome, SM City North Edsa. Gates will open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m.

Formed in 2009, Turnover’s beginnings were mainly rooted with the release of their self-titled EP in 2011, and a split single release the following year with contemporaries Citizen – but like any other underground/indie rock band, found its true strength in performing live and touring, both with fellow rising stars and established names in the scene, including Angel Dust, Blind Justice, Turnstile and New Found Glory. Though the tours were initially in the United States, Turnover began extending their reach with subsequent rounds in the United Kingdom and ultimately, in Southeast Asia.

To date, the band has five full-length albums under its collective belt, namely: their 2013 emo/pop-punk-inspired debut Magnolia, 2015’s Peripheral Vision (which sonically switched to dream-pop…), 2017’s Good Nature (which Alternative Press cited to be among the year’s most anticipated albums…), 2019’s Altogether and their most recent 2022 outing Myself In The Way.

Tickets to see Turnover: Live in Manila go on sale this August 5th for *PHP2,950.00 and will be available via SM Tickets outlets nationwide, and/or can be purchased online via smtickets.com. For more information and updates, interested parties can log on to pulp.ph. See you in the pit!

*Ticketing Charges Apply

Anna of the North is coming to the Philippines!

DMC Philippines, the concert promoter for the upcoming Manila show of Anna of the North, has announced that Samsung Hall in Taguig, Metro Manila will be the official venue for her upcoming CRAZY tour.

The concert will make several stops in cities across New Zealand, Australia, Japan, and the Philippines.

Anna of the North will be performing some of the songs off her new album, Crazy Life, along with notable hits from her previous releases and collaborations.

The Norwegian star, whose music is often described as intricate, soul-crushing electronic pop, has released three albums and an EP under her belt. She has worked with some of the biggest international acts, including Tyler The Creator, Rex Orange County, Steve Lacy, Dua Lipa, HONNE, Prep, Snake Hips, and Alina Baraz.

Two of her biggest and most-streamed hits, “Lovers” and “Dream Girl” were part of the soundtrack of the No. 1 global Netflix smash, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, and its sequel, To All The Boys: Always and Forever.

Tickets to Anna of the North: Live In Manila are available at SM Tickets for PHP 3,900 (VIP), and PHP 2,200 (Gold/Regular).

This event is presented and produced by DMC Philippines.

Sabrina Carpenter performed to a full house at the New Frontier Theater for the Emails I Can’t Send Tour stop in Manila.

It was a rainy Tuesday night, but the area surrounding the venue was filled with young people dressed to party into the weekend. Corset tops, platform boots, and mini skirts were some of the outfits elegantly thrown into the mix. They were all poised to strut, to party, and to sing with the main attraction of the evening. Presented by Live Nation Philippines, the sold-out show, which lasted for an hour and a half, was a striking success, so much so that even Sabrina Carpenter called Manila her favorite city.

Sabrina Carpenter made her entrance by playing “Emails I Can’t Send” on the grand piano. Instantly, the audience was on their feet, singing out loud, feeling every word.

“My only rule is that you guys have to be as loud as humanly possible. Cry if you need to cry, laugh if you need to laugh,” Sabrina told the crowd. That was indeed the vibe for the entire concert. From the front to the last row, fans were living in the moment. They were there to have the best time with their idol and they owned it.

Sabrina Carpenter was a captivating performer onstage – a mix of a phenomenal pop star and a songwriter extraordinaire. She could groove sensuously to her disco-pop-inspired tracks like “Read Your Mind” and “Feather” and she would have the entire room dancing with her. She could easily sing the airiest ballads about yearning for someone, and it would be mixed with references about forks (“how many things”) or contact lenses (“opposite”). Even so, her quips stick like glue. Her lyrics could also feel like simple conversational thought bubbles that steadily unfold into full-blown stories like “skinny dipping” and “Tornado Warnings”, and it would leave the audience wanting to hear and sing more.

Beyond a stellar live performance, Sabrina repeatedly expressed her gratitude to her fans for their support. “I feel so lucky to be able to play in a place so far away from home and I still feel like I’m singing in my backyard.” She also complimented her fans’ effort in glamming up to fit her album, her music, and her world.

During the encore, Sabrina Carpenter made her Filipino fans (whom she fondly called “sluts”) very happy when she changed the outro of her viral hit “Nonsense”:

“His ex is a motel, I’m a villa / He said I taste better than vanilla / What’s your favorite city, mine’s Manila”. She said the song started to get popular when Filipino fans turned it into a TikTok trend. Thanks to that, Manila became her favorite city. Sabrina promised to come back, saying the next time she comes here, “there will be new music, a new chapter”.

By Sandra Mae Laureano

The Emails I Can’t Send Tour in Manila was presented by Live Nation Philippines. Special thanks to Live Nation Philippines.

Bang Yongguk held his first solo concert, The Colors of Bang Yongguk, at the Music Museum in San Juan, Manila. Previously known as the leader and main rapper of the popular boy group B.A.P, he is now making waves across the world as a solo artist.

Bang Yongguk’s colors can’t be described in simple words. The 33-year-old rapper’s artistry is expansive – infusing rock and jazz with R&B and hip-hop, creating dark undertones in melodic, memorable layers. His music can be fierce yet vulnerable, dark yet yearning, blunt yet sincere – all of which shone so well during his live performance.

The stage was simple – a DJ and the main performer, surrounded by ardent fans. The concert, which lasted for almost 2 hours, felt like an intimate show like Yongguk was talking to each person who was there.

The show started strong with “G.M.T” and “Up” from his 2022 EP titled 2. “Mabuhay! Ako si Bang Yongguk,” he introduced himself. In contrast to his fierce opening tracks, a wide smile spread across his face as he talked to the crowd.

“Don’t use your phone. Record this moment with your eyes. I want to look into your eyes,” he said. His request was mostly honored during the night, and fans got into the music all the more.

Bang Yongguk’s setlist featured the comprehensive work he put into his music. From his 2019 album, there was the introspective vibe of “Hikikomori” and the alluring beats of “Ya”. He also performed “Race”, “Screwed Up”, and “Off” from 2. From his newly released EP The Colors of Love, he performed the soft “Rain on Me”, “UFO”, “Green” and “Ride or Die”. A huge throwback for his longtime fans was when he performed his first solo single “I Remember” which was released in 2011 and the 2017 single “Yamazaki”.

“Being here made me realize I have to keep making more good music. Thank you for coming! I hope to see you again next time,” he said before performing “Xie Xie” and “See You Later” in the encore.

The Colors of Bang Yongguk in Manila was presented by OfficialKEvents. Special thanks to OfficialKEvents for the invitation.

Words and photos by Sandra Mae Laureano

As fans from all over Manila gathered to see Dhruv perform live for the first time, the stage was prepared; the lights were dimmed, and there was an overwhelming feeling of anticipation in the air. From small beginnings, Dhruv’s climb to fame has been nothing short of amazing, and his performance in Manila served as evidence of his exceptional talent and charisma.

Dhruv’s status as a prominent artist in the music industry was cemented by the highly expected event, which took place at the Podium Hall, last July 25, 2023, and left the audience in awe. Everyone was excited to witness the event firsthand, from passionate fans who have followed Dhruv’s path from the beginning to those who had just found his music.

Dhruv opened his show with his songs “airplane thoughts”, and “retrograde”. From the very first notes, ‌Dhruv’s musical prowess was on full display. His soulful voice carried emotion that resonated with the crowd, drawing them into each lyric and melody. Despite it being his debut concert, Dhruv performed with a maturity and stage presence that belied his years, captivating his fans.

“Thank you for inviting us to be here and to play in this cozy, intimate show. I wanted to be here for a sec. Throughout this project Rapunzel, in January of last year, it was like a scrapbook of the two years of my life and I remember finishing it thinking I really want to come to Asia and play it eventually and not knowing what was gonna happen so I had the joy of being in Asia for the last few weeks touring and were kinda in our last three shows so I’m thrilled to see you guys here.”

After sharing his experience of touring in Asia for the first time, Dhruv performed one of his favorite songs, as he said, which is “moonlight”. He also performed “what’s wrong with me.” Dhruv not only has an amazing voice but also a commanding stage presence. His natural ability to engage with the crowd struck a chord with his supporters intimately, heightening the intimacy of the moment.

“I actually grew up in Asia, and when I was 15, I actually loved a song. Found it deep‌ on the internet. The song is “when we were young.” Dhruv sang this melancholic song about childhood, which he shared as grew up in Singapore and moved to London when he was two years old.

He continued to perform more songs from his latest EP, such as “stable life”, “blur” and “vulnerable”. Throughout the show, Dhruv showcased an impressive range of musical styles. From soulful ballads that tugged at heartstrings to upbeat tracks that had the entire venue swaying, his versatility as an artist was on full display.

Dhruv also shared that we will get more music from him soon as he told the audience the show will end. “We have three songs left for you. I know I wish I had more songs out. The good thing is I will have more out. SOON so.”

One of his last songs was a cover of Norah Jones’ song, Don’t Know Why. As he shared, “I like this song so I hope you like it too”. He also performed “grateful”, which was also the most expected song a lot of fans were waiting for.

And to end his concert, he closed with his breakthrough song. Most fans were definitely waiting for “double take”, which had gained massive popularity on various platforms. The crowd sang along in unison, a testament to the connection he had already forged with his growing fanbase.

His fans had the chance to interact with him in person, as the evening concluded. The success of Dhruv’s debut performance in Manila serves as an introduction to even bigger things in store for this rising star. His outstanding talent and sincere connection with his followers set him apart and assure him of a successful future in the music business.

Following the show, it flooded social media sites with positive comments and words of support for the young performer. Dhruv established his reputation as a performer to watch with his outstanding concert in Manila. Audiences all over the world eagerly expect the next chapter in Dhruv’s musical journey as his music continues to soar to new heights, knowing that his passion and commitment to his craft will certainly take him to even higher heights in the future.

Be You 3 gave poignant homage to the cleft lip and palate community with heartfelt numbers from Filipino artists and performances from our favorite K-Pop artists that brought back fond memories.

Neuwave Events and Productions staged the third concert in the Be You concert series, Be You 3: The World Will Smile, at the Araneta Coliseum on July 23 to mark the series’ first anniversary. Together with local performers Vhong Navarro, Jhong Hilario, Ice Seguerra, and NOBITA, thousands of fans came together for the cause and witnessed APINK, Infinite’s Nam Woo Hyun, BtoB’s Lee Min Hyuk, and CIX perform on the Philippine concert stage.

Filipino artists take the Be You 3 stage

Prior to the show’s official start, talented Filipino P-Pop group Trainee AE warmed up the crowd with their performances, including a rendition of SB19’s latest hit single, “I Want You”.

Be You 3: The World Will Smile opened with It’s Showtime host and comedian Vhong Navarro showcasing his dance moves with a medley of viral hits. During “Big Boy”, the Streetboy was joined by children with cleft lip and palate who wowed the audience with their sleek moves. Fellow Streeboy and It’s Showtime host Jhong Hilario took the baton from Vhong Navarro with a dance medley. The Sample King paired up with children with cleft lip and palate for an adorable take on the Tiktok trend to the tune of Fifty Fifty’s “Cupid”. Vhong Navarro and Jhong Hilario, with their cute performance partners, completed their stage with the trending “Gento” of SB19.

Ice Seguerra serenaded The Big Dome with “I’ll Be There For You” from his 2007 album, Para Lang Sa’yo. Jerome and Kyle, who underwent operations for their cleft lip and palate, joined him on stage for a soulful performance of the song and inspire people with their stories. Filipino alt-rock band NOBITA was also present at the festivity with KZ Tandingan’s “Wag Ka Nang Umiyak” and their very own hit song, “Ikaw Lang”.

Be You celebrates its first anniversary with APINK, Nam Woo Hyun, Lee Min Hyuk, and CIX

Last year, Neuwave Events and Production introduced Be You, a concert-for-a-cause, with its inaugural show featuring Red Velvet as the headliner. Since then, the concert series has presented Be You 2 and most recently, Be You 3.

Be You: The World will Adjust celebrated people with special needs through inspiring testimonials and heartwarming performances from Filipino artists, including Martin Nieverra, BINI, BGYO, and Lady Pipay. Red Velvet highlighted the event, marking their first performance in the country after three years. In December 2022, Be You returned with Be You 2: The World will Care, a tribute concert for the elderly. The second installment of the concert-for-a-cause gathered top K-Pop acts BoA, TVXQ!’s Yunho and Changmin, and EXO’s Xiumin and Chen, as well as, Filipino acts Ms. Pilita Corrales, Ian Veneracion, Lady Pipay, Lukas Magallano (Cebu), and G22 (Manila) in two cities in the Philippines — Cebu and Metro Manila.

For its third installment, Be You 3: The World will Smile brought iconic K-Pop acts APINK, Infinite’s Nam Woo Hyun, and BtoB’s Lee Min Hyuk, and rising K-Pop boy group CIX. Ahead of the concert, the K-Pop stars graciously took part in a press conference where they expressed gratitude for the opportunity to perform on the Philippine concert stage and be part of the advocacy for promoting inclusivity and honoring the community of people with cleft lips and palates.

Nam Woo Hyun was the first of the K-Pop acts to take the stage, opening his set with “Hold On Me” from his third extended play, A New Journey. He followed it up with “Calm & Passion” from his fourth EP, With. The Infinite member remarked how much he missed his Filipino fans and generously gave them his warmest smile. As the finger hearts king, he did not shy away from gifting hearts to the audience.

“It’s good to see you often. Do you guys feel the same? I prepared a lot in excitement to meet Filipino Inspirits. Your cheering made me excited to perform tonight,” he said. He continued his performances with “Somehow (My Diary)” and “Lonely Night”, before saying goodbye with “Shooting Star”.

Nam Woo Hyun assured the fans that there is so much to look forward to from himself as he prepares for his solo activities and from Infinite. Infinite will make their highly-awaited comeback with their seventh extended play, Begin, on July 31.

CIX made their debut performance on the Philippine concert stage through Be You 3. The boy group, who were happy to meet FIX in the country finally, kicked off their first stage with “Save Me, Kill Me” from their most recent release, OK Episode 2: I’m OK, and went on to fire up the stage with “LOST” from their first studio album, OK Prologue: Be OK.

Fan favorites “Movie Star” and “Cinema” further hyped the crowd, heightening the cheers for CIX. Seunghun, who had to sit down during the performances due to an injury, apologized for the situation. “I feel sorry and disappointed that I can’t perform in front of you, guys,” he said to which the audience gave him a reassuring “It’s okay”. BX also relayed his hope to return to the country and once again, perform together. The boy group closed their set with “Color”.

Another K-Pop artist dearly missed on the local concert stage, Lee Min Hyuk of BtoB, came next, starting off his performances with the hard-hitting, fired-up “I’m Rare”. He took the Be You 3 stage, bringing out the best of HUTA with “Dear My Spring” and “Tonight (with Melody).

“You guys are so supportive for singing out loud and making the song complete. Melody, you guys are always beautiful,” he said, before saying his goodbye with “BOOM”. Still, Lee Min Hyuk assured Melody that he will come back — hopefully bringing along the rest of BtoB.

APINK finally made their way back to the Philippine concert stage, completing the evening’s lineup and bringing their best hits to their Filipino fans. The girl group, who first and last performed in Manila in 2016, marked their return to the country after seven years with performances of their recent single, “D N D”, “Dumhdurum” from Look EP, the iconic hits “Mr. Chu” and “NoNoNo”, and “I’m So Sick” from One & Six EP.

Echoing the wishes of Filo Pandas, APINK expressed their hope for a solo concert in the country. “We have another dream — a solo concert of APINK in Manila,” Bomi said.