Philippine Concerts

Tag: gmtan

  • 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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  • 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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  • 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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  • Lost in the Echo of Linkin Park

    Lost in the Echo of Linkin Park

    Chester Bennington

    After almost a decade of waiting, Linkin Park finally came back to Manila to conquer the Arena wherein thousands and thousands of manic LP fans screamed, jumped and rocked their souls with the band. Considered as one of the highlights of the Philippine concert scene this year, the show proved to be a riotous success as the Arena burst with multitudes of people from the moshpit up to the upper boxes. Without a shadow of doubt, the evening turned out to be one of the most unforgettable concerts that Manila had ever experienced.

    Local band Urbandub was both thrilled and honored to open for LP. The Cebuano band performed “Soul Searching”, “The Fight Is Over” along with tracks off their new album “Esoteric”. Their last song for their set was “First of Summer” which had the excited crowd more psyched up.

    Linkin Park Live in Manila
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  • Sandwich Fat Salt & Flame Album

    Sandwich Fat Salt & Flame Album

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    Sandwich Fat Salt & Flame Album Launch at Centris Walk

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    Sandwich Guitarist Diego Castillo

    Sandwich Fat Flame & Salt Track List (more…)

  • Aerosmith Live at MOA Arena

    Aerosmith Live at MOA Arena

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    Aerosmith Live at the Mall of Asia Arena last May 8, 2013!

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    Steven Tyler and Aerosmith Live in Manila

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    Great Drum Solo by Joey Kramer along with Steven Tyler

    Aerosmith Live in Manila Setlist (more…)

  • Franco Rocked the Music Museum, Man

    Franco Rocked the Music Museum, Man

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    On the evening of April 6, Franco Reyes made the Music Museum the home of positive vibes, good vibrations and great music as he owned its stage to mark his first major solo concert. With his laidback aura, his magnetic charisma and his striking musical talent, he held the attention and fervor of the jam-packed venue of Suspitsados and concert enthusiasts.

    Formerly known as a superband during his debut in 2009, Franco is now making his own way as a solo artist. Supporting him onstage are Paul Cañada on guitars, Dave Delfin on bass, Victor Guison on drums who are all more than capable in handling their instruments and performing live. With the very recent release of his second album titled “Soul Adventurer”, he has proven that there’s still so much that he can offer the Filipino music scene. There’s still a lot we have yet to see and hear, and Franco is just about to get started. He proved that all too well that evening.

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    “Hey, you guys, stand up, man!” he encouraged the crowd in good humor. “This is a rock concert. You have plenty of time to sit down.” Astoundingly, Franco is as, if not more, positive spirited in person as he sounds in his songs. Just like his songs, he emanated “positive vibes” and “good vibrations” with his words and his beaming smile. All throughout the concert, he was overflowing with gratitude to the attendees and the fans that he kept thanking them almost after every song. He even went on to say, “thank you for keeping OPM alive.” (more…)

  • Bloc Party Live in Manila: A Rocking Miracle

    Bloc Party Live in Manila: A Rocking Miracle

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    We were hoping for a miracle, or something very close to it. Bloc Party made one happen in Manila.

    Eight years after the release of their iconic debut album, Silent Alarm, Bloc Party finally made their first stop in Manila to give their Filipino fans a rocking musical experience that would be difficult to top. Before the Southeast Asia leg of their tour, Japan was the only Asian country the band had frequented over the years. Thank the heavens and all the goodness in the universe for their decision to put Manila in their itinerary for their world tour this year, because for the thousands of their hardcore fans who were in that hall, the experience really was one hell of a miracle.

    For an hour and a half, the Hall D of World Trade Center echoed out the united roars and shrieks of the thousands of hardcore fans and music enthusiasts. Kele Okereke, Matt Tong, Russell Lissack and Gordon Moakes put out a performance that was beyond enthralling and so powerfully moving. Both the VIP and Gold area were bursting with crowds of people who were frenetically awaiting the band’s performance. (more…)

  • A Screaming Night with Bring Me The Horizon

    A Screaming Night with Bring Me The Horizon

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    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.

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    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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  • 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…)

  • 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…)

  • Acoustic Night with Jayesslee

    Acoustic Night with Jayesslee

    Jayesslee Becca Music

    June 21, 2012 marked that day that one of Manila’s favorite sister acts, Jayesslee, would be playing on Philippine turf. The cover duo of YouTube stardom proved to have quite a following in our country as fans young and old filed into the venue at Robinsons Forum. As the crowd began settling into their seats, they found themselves well entertained by video montages of the meet and greet which was held the previous day. Many were soon stifling giggles as clips of Janice and Sonia’s antics played on the big screens.

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  • Lifehouse Brought Down Everything

    Lifehouse Brought Down Everything

    Lifehouse Smoke and Mirrors Manila Tour Concert Review

     

    Sometimes life is about feeling empty and having a broken heart and the hope that at any time, there might be some big upswing, a friend that you can count on for the rest of your life. That’s what Lifehouse gives their fans to help carry them through the times that lack and celebrate the times of life.

    Saturday night, alternative-rock band from United States, headlined their last Smoke and Mirrors concert tour in Manila at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Somewhere around 10,000 – 12,000 fans gave the four-some band the usual dose of love and high-pitch appreciation.

    Needless to say, the band lead by Jason Wade came onto the music scene during my college days so hearing the songs live is a night to remember, as I’m sure it was for a lot fans. But before Lifehouse took the stage, we’re treated with Never The Strangers as the opening act. They warmed up the crowd with their hits like Moving Closer. The front act actually matched up well with the headliner for this tour. (more…)