Mommy's MAG Life: Concert

Filipinos love concerts, but venue infrastructure gaps are a threat to the experience

but venue infrastructure gaps are a threat to the experience 4/30/2024 05:29:00 PM

Countries with better, bigger, and more competitive concert venues have reaped economic benefits, especially with the massive and significant influence of popular international acts like pop superstar Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour and Coldplay’s World Tour in consumer behavior and spending.

Driving tens of thousands of ‘Swifties’ and concert enthusiasts, the success of these concerts was an economic stimulus for countries worldwide, including Southeast Asian countries such as Singapore and Japan. Filipino fans alike had to spend big and travel miles to watch the exclusive performance of superstar Swift in Singapore’s National Stadium while others went to Japan’s Tokyo Dome and Sydney’s Accor Stadium in Australia. The massive concert gigs boosted the respective country’s economies, benefitting entertainment, hospitality, retail, and transport industries significantly.

While Singapore’s strategy for a Southeast Asia exclusive Swift performance piqued interest and likewise piqued its neighboring countries, the strategic move sparked conversations and brought to light what the Philippines can improve on in terms of concert venues.

1. Location is key

The Philippines doesn’t lack in big venues. In fact, it boasts of venues that can rival Singapore’s National Stadium and Japan’s Tokyo Dome. Accessibility to the location as well as public transportation and nearby commercial establishments are key.

2. Concert Experience

Photo credit to Stanley Quek. An empty Singapore National Stadium, viewed from the front stage.

Singapore’s pride, the National Stadium, has innovative features such as the world’s largest free-spanning dome, a retractable roof and comfort cooling technology for spectators’ convenience. Its innovation, strategic location, and efficiency bring positive and immersive experiences for enthusiasts and concert fans, making it a magnet for entertainment acts from all over the world. A similar concert venue and experience is something that Filipino concertgoers are hoping the country can replicate.

3. World-class concert amenities and facilities

Accessing the venue's amenities and facilities should offer a premium music experience for concert enthusiasts or convenience in a sporting event.

Architectural “Eyecon” SM Mall of Asia Arena prides itself on having exceptional world-class amenities unique in the Southeast Asia region. –Photo from SM MOA Arena official website

FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 held in SM Mall of Asia Arena – Photo from SM MOA Arena official website

Take for example the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena – a flexible indoor arena developed in 2012 by leading integrated property developer SM Prime – that has been a top-of-mind venue for all sorts of events and offers a unique concert experience. With a full house seating capacity of 20,000, it has been a haven for thrilling sports events, remarkable OPM shows, and unforgettable international superstar performances.

Meanwhile, the SMDC Festival Grounds in Parañaque City is likewise an enormous outdoor venue that can accommodate at least 50,000 people. Ed Sheeran’s Mathematics Tour and Rivermaya The Reunion were among the performers that have graced the stage recently.

4. Achieving Filipinos’ concert dreams

One of the most forward-looking plans of SM Prime is its 360-hectare smart city development which is envisioned to bring in a centerpiece to the country’s entertainment and sporting events – larger in capacity and a more enhanced venue infrastructure that would attract legendary icons in the entertainment scene and compete against Southeast Asia and the world’s best. It will feature an estimated 70,000-capacity stadium and concert arena connected to one of the island’s main destination paradises called Central Park. The sizable arena is envisioned to be the Philippines’ biggest concert venue, with world-class facilities and sustainable features, comparable to other big concert venues worldwide. Once that’s built, Filipinos won’t have to fly overseas because they can watch top-tier performances right from the comfort of their home country.

An artist’s render, visual sketch of the proposed concert venue at Pasay 360 project.

Without a doubt, Pinoys live and breathe entertainment shows. In fact, Filipinos are the 4th top concert spenders in Asia-Pacific according to digital payments company Visa, proof of how passionate we are about concerts. By investing in the development of modern, smart, and accessible concert venues, Filipino concert enthusiasts can continue to embrace and celebrate live performances with the convenience, comfort, and enjoyment they deserve. Beyond entertainment, well-curated, smart, and innovative concert facilities can further drive economic benefits to the Philippines’ national and local economies, including ancillary local spending in retail, tourism, and hospitality.

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Ben&Ben to Perform as Special Guest at Ed Sheeran '+ - = ÷ x Tour' in the Philippines; Gen Ad (Cat 8) Section Added

Aeg Presents 2/27/2024 09:36:00 PM

In less than 2 weeks, fans in the Philippines will have the incredible opportunity to witness the biggest music event of the year, the highly anticipated Ed Sheeran '+ - = ÷ x Tour' in Manila, happening on March 9, 2024, at the SMDC Festival Grounds, Paranaque City, with special guests Calum Scott and our very own OPM artist, Ben&Ben. Also, in response to popular demand new seats have been added as well as a new General Admission (Cat 8) Section.

The 9-piece Filipino indie folk-pop band Ben&Ben is composed of twin brothers Miguel Benjamin and Paolo Benjamin on acoustic guitars and vocals, Poch Barretto on electric guitar, Keifer Cabugao on violin, Andrew De Pano and Toni Munoz on percussion, Pat Lasaten on keyboards, Agnes Reoma on bass, and Jam Villanueva on drums. They are known for their songs Leaves, Make It With You, Panindigan Kita, Maybe The Night, and Pagtingin. The band has received numerous awards, including an Asia Artist Award, an Aliw Award, an NME Award, two Myx Music Awards, and 16 Awit Awards. In 2020, they placed 29th on the Billboard Social Top 50 Chart, and Spotify recognized the group as the most-streamed Filipino artist of all time for having more than two billion streams.

This multi-awarded OPM band marked a significant milestone in their career during their Homecoming Concert in 2022 promoted by Ovation Productions by drawing a massive crowd of 65,000 Liwanag (Ben&Ben fandom name). It was a testament to the band’s meteoric rise in popularity. The event was held at the outdoor SMDC Festival Grounds, where Ed Sheeran’s '+ - = ÷ x Tour' will also take place in March.

As the concert of Ed Sheeran in the Philippines draws nearer, excitement is reaching a fever pitch, with fans eagerly counting down the days until they can witness this once-in-a-lifetime experience, and it will be a night to remember. More tickets are now available at ovationtickets.com and smtickets.com. Physical tickets can now be purchased at any SM tickets outlet for 20,500 (CAT1 Reserved Seating) /18,500 (CAT 2 Reserved Seating) /16,500 (CAT 3 Reserved Seating) /14,500 (CAT 4 Reserved Seating)/ 11,500 (CAT 5 Reserved Seating) /6,500 (CAT 6 Standing), 3,000 (CAT 7 Standing), and new section added at 1,500 (CAT 8 Standing) plus ticketing charges. This event is presented by AEG Presents, Ovation Productions, and Smart.

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‘DISNEY PRINCESS – THE CONCERT’ COMING TO MANILA, CEBU AND DAVAO NOVEMBER 2023

Concert 9/20/2023 07:06:00 PM

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Korean Singer-Actress KIM SEJEONG is Coming to Manila for her First-Ever Concert Tour

#KIMSEJEONGinMANILA 8/10/2023 08:47:00 AM

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DARYL HALL TO HOLD PH CONCERT THIS NOVEMBER 2023 

Concert 8/08/2023 04:05:00 PM

Legendary singer-songwriter Daryl Hall is set to perform live in Manila together with the Daryl’s House Band and Todd Rundgren as special guests on November 27, 2023, at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Daryl Hall is recognized as one of the best soul singers of his period and had a number of Billboard chart singles in the 1970s and the beginning of the 1980s. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2004 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in April 2014. With his timeless hits, engaging stage presence, and undeniable talent, Daryl Hall continues to captivate audiences around the world.

Daryl Hall is known as half of the iconic duo Hall & Oates and will perform many of the duo’s popular hits. Hall has also hosted an online show or webcast, Live from Daryl's House, which features live music acts in a podcast or video cast, first from his home in Millerton, New York, and more recently from his club, Daryl's House, in Pawling, New York, since 2007. The webcast has featured appearances by different artists as well as a holiday special featuring Shelby Lynne and songs from the Hall and Oates release Home for Christmas.

Hall restores and preserves historic homes in both the United States and England. He hosted the 2014 television show Daryl's Restoration Over-Hall on the DIY Network, which showed him and a crew working on restoring one of his homes in Connecticut.

In July 2018, BMG partnered with Hall and Jonathan Wolfson to secure worldwide rights for Live from Daryl's House. One of the artists he featured in his webcast is Todd Rundgren, who will also be with him in his concert in the Philippines as his guest performer.

Rundgren is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer who has performed in a diverse range of styles as a solo artist and as a member of the band Utopia. He is known for his sophisticated and often unorthodox music, his occasionally lavish stage shows, and his later experiments with interactive art. His best-known songs include "Hello, It's Me" and "I Saw the Light" from Something/Anything? (1972), which gets frequent airtime on classic rock radio stations. He was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2021.

Daryl Hall’s concert in Manila will really be epic, and it will be a night to remember. Promoted by Ovation Productions with TAPGO.TV as the official media partner. Tickets at smtickets.com are priced at 15,750 (SVIP) / 14,750 (VIP) / 12,750 (Patron) / 10,750 (Lower Box A) / 9,750 (Lower Box B) / 5,750 (Upper Box) / and 2,750 (Gen. Ad). 

For more details and updates about the concert, please check the official website and Facebook Page of Ovation Productions at https://ovationproductionsmanila.com/ and https://www.facebook.com/ovationproductions/.

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Alanis Morissette to Serenade Fans in Manila for 2-Nights

Alanis Morissette 7/07/2023 02:47:00 PM

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Finally! Alanis Morissette Manila Concert in August 2023

Alanis Morissette 3/23/2023 11:03:00 AM

This is it, Philippines!

Alanis Morissette, Canadian-American singer-songwriter, will finally perform her special one-night concert at the Mall of Asia Arena on August 1, 2023, to celebrate the 28th anniversary of her most recognized and iconic album, Jagged Little Pill.

Her upcoming show in Manila is part of her tour celebrating the supposedly 25th anniversary of her album and was originally scheduled to take place at the MOA Arena on April 2020 but it was moved on December 2021, and November 2022, the shows have been postponed three times because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jagged Little Pill captured the zeitgeist of the mid-'90s by crossing the line between Gen-X cynicism and self-realization. It was pitched somewhere between glitzy mainstream pop and angst-ridden alternative rock. The album, which produced a string of Top 10 songs like "You Oughta Know," "Hand in My Pocket," and "Ironic,". It also won five Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year. Making the 21-year-old Morissette the youngest performer to ever win the prestigious honor, the album was ranked number 69 on Rolling Stone’s list of "the 500 best albums of all time."

Morissette won a total of seven Grammys and was nominated fourteen times. Included among her finest songs are You Learn, Head Over Feet, All I Really Want, Thank You, Mary Jane, Uninvited, Perfect, Forgiven, Right Through You, Wake Up, and many more.

And she has been one of the most influential singer-songwriter musicians in contemporary music since 1995. Her deeply expressive music and performances have received widespread praise from critics. Jagged Little Pill, Morissette's debut album from 1995, was followed by nine more eclectic and acclaimed albums. She has composed music for theatrical releases and appeared in films both big and small. Aside from entertainment, she is a strong advocate for female empowerment, as well as spiritual, psychological, and physical well-being. Alanis Morissette launched Conversation with Alanis Morissette in 2016, a monthly podcast featuring conversations with a variety of revered authors, doctors, educators, and therapists on a wide range of psychosocial topics ranging from spirituality to developmentalism to art.

On December 5, 2019, “JAGGED LITTLE PILL” the musical made its Broadway debut at the Broadhurst Theatre in New York City. The show was nominated for fifteen Tony Awards and won 2 Tony Awards at the 2021 ceremony. In July of 2020, Alanis released her ninth studio album, Such Pretty Forks In The Road, to rave reviews. In August of 2021, Alanis kicked off her sold out world tour celebrating 25 years of Jagged Little Pill. The tour became the #1 female-fronted tour from 2021 and one of the Top Worldwide Tours of 2021 selling over 500,000 tickets. Alanis also stars in Fox’s sitcom, “The Great North,” which has returned for season 3 in 2022.

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G Rules Concert: Experience a Night of Emotional Music with Gigi De Lana and the Gigi Vibes Band - Feb 18th at The Theatre at Solaire

Artist 2/10/2023 10:00:00 AM

Are you ready for an unforgettable night of music and emotions? Look no further, as the one and only Gigi De Lana and The Gigi Vibes band will be headlining the "G Rules" concert at The Theatre at Solaire on February 18th (Saturday) at 8pm. Get ready to experience a musical journey filled with rollercoaster emotions that will leave you feeling inspired and entertained. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to see Gigi and her talented bandmates live in action!

After the success of their “Domination” concert tour last year in Manila, the Middle East, and the U.S., Gigi and her bandmates composed of Jon Cruz (musical director, keyboard), Jake Manalo (bass), Julius Traqueña (guitar), and Romeo Marquez (drums) are once again rocking everyone’s hearts out with their original songs and amazing covers that have taken the internet by storm.
“Actually, we wanted it to be as intimate as possible, yung abot kamay lang nila kami,” kwento ni Gigi tungkol sa nalalapit na event. “It will be something new, tampok ang mixed emotions sa show namin. And syempre hindi mawawala ang kulitan.”

Gigi, a Star Magic talent and Rise Studio artist, introduced in 2022 her self-titled debut album that earned over 3.9 million streams on Spotify by yearend. It features the hit song “Sakalam” and key track “O Bakit Ba.”

Also included in the album released under Star Music are several soundtracks including “Akin Ka Na Lang” from the ABS-CBN series “A Family Affair, “Sa Dulo” from “The Broken Marriage Vow,” and “Nasa’yo Ako” from “Viral Scandal.” Also, part of the album is her version of “Bakit Nga Ba Mahal Kita,” the official theme song of “Hello Heart” which she starred in alongside Gerald Anderson.

Join Gigi and the Gigi Vibes in the “G Rules” concert presented by ABS-CBN Events and Solaire Resort Entertainment City. Tickets are priced at P6480 (SSVIP), P5,400 (SVIP), P3,780 (VIP), P3,240 (gold), 2,160 (lower balcony), and P1,620 (upper balcony) available on ticketworld.com.ph and Solaire Box Office.

For more details, follow Star Music on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tiktok, and YouTube. For other updates, follow @abscbnpr on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tiktok or visit www.abs-cbn.com/newsroom. You may also visit Solaire Resort Entertainment City’s website at www.solaireresort.com and follow @solaireresort on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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Up Close With Christian Bautista: Celebrating His 20 Years in the Industry

#XTIANBDUETS 1/13/2023 04:16:00 PM

Asia’s Romantic Balladeer, Christian Bautista, kicks off the new year with a treat for fans - an upcoming concert to celebrate his 20 years on the music scene!

20th Year Anniversary in the Entertainment Industry

It has been a fruitful 20 years for Christian Bautista in the showbiz industry.

People first got a glimpse of Christian as a contestant in Star In A Million, a Philippine reality show aired on ABS-CBN, winning 4th place in the competition in 2003. After the contest, he signed a recording contract with Warner Music Philippines and released his first self-titled debut album which earned a multi-platinum record award. This established his name in the OPM industry and made his songs “The Way You Look At Me”, “Colour Everywhere”, and “Hands to Heaven” into classic hits. It paved the way for the singer’s popularity not just in the Philippines, but in Southeast Asian countries as well, mainly in Indonesia.

Christian eventually transitioned to being a regular in ABS-CBN’s variety show ASAP. In 2011, he was tapped to star in a musical series, called the Kitchen Musical which aired all the Asian network AXN, with fellow Stages talent, Karylle, and other Asian and Filipino talents in Singapore. During this time In March 2013, the singer transferred to GMA Kapuso network and is now running 9 years with the management. He remains a regular on AOS, and as a mainstay pillar judge in the highly successful singing competition show called The Clash.

In his 20 years in the business, Christian remains true to his musical core and continues to evolve as a performer not only is he continuing to delight audiences with producing and performing songs for his supporters. He has written, and even produced a few songs such as Kapit, his single he wrote and produced called Ako Naman and sung by Jessica Villarubin song which won an Awit award in 2022.

“The Way You Look At Me” Concert in Indonesia Last 2022

Christian Bautista stirred up fans’ excitement with his 20th Anniversary not only in the Philippines but in Indonesia as well! Last October 8, 2022, he performed at Atlas Beach Fest Culinary Grounds in Bali, Indonesia for his “The Way You Look At Me’ concert.

The artist’s quick trip was totally jam-packed with events and guestings; Some of which are with RCTI TV, Trans TV, and a bank sponsored concert featuring Michael Learns to Rock and Christian Bautista.

“The Way You Look At Me” 20th Anniversary Concert

Titled "The Way You Look at Me," the "serenade concert" will be held at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Circuit Makati on January 28 at 8PM.

As the name suggests, The Way You Look At Me: 20th Anniversary Concert, is a special celebration of the OPM artist’s two decades in the music industry where he will serenade fans with his songs from early days of his career up to now. Aside from the song, "The Way You Look at Me," The artist’s other hits include "Hands to Heaven" and "Colour Everywhere."

Get a chance to win free tickets by joining Christian Bautista’s #XTIANBDUETS TikTok challenge! Christian will sing some of his favorite hit songs from the past 20 years and post on his TikTok, @christianbautista_, and invites fans to duet with him. (1) Open for participants in NCR only.

(2) Entries should include the hashtag #XTIANBDUETS

(3) A deadline is set for every song. Duets made after the said date will no longer count as an entry.

(4) One winner per song per duet wins one concert ticket

Tickets are available at TicketWorld. Tickets are priced at P4,635, P4,120, P3,502, P3,090, P2,678, and P2,266.

Truly, a lot is in store for the many fans of Asia’s Romantic Balladeer Christian Bautista. But for now, we can’t wait to be serenaded this January 28.

Check out Christian Bautista’s social media accounts to stay updated:
Instagram @xtianbautista | 311K Followers
Facebook Christian Bautista | 638K Followers
TikTok @christianbautista_ | 146.8K Followers
Twitter @xtianbautista | 3.3M Followers
YouTube Christian Bautista | 27.7K Subscribers

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Pop Star Anne-Marie Brings Dysfunctional Tour to Manila on October 16

Anna-Marie 7/16/2022 01:29:00 PM

British singer-songwriter Anne-Marie announces Dysfunctional Tour coming to Manila on October 16, 2022 at the New Frontier Theater. Presented by Wilbros Live. Tickets go on-sale on Tuesday, July 19 at 10AM via TicketNet.com.ph and at all TicketNet outlets nationwide.

Anne-Marie’s rise to stardom has been nothing short of meteoric. A former 3x world karate champion and West End child star turned multi-platinum-selling artist, Anne-Marie has gone onto become one of the world’s most-loved and successful pop stars of our times. Following a string of chart-busting singles over her career to date – from her Ed Sheeran co-write and UK Top 3 ‘2002’ to the garage-infused juggernaut and KSI collaboration ‘Don’t Play’ – Anne-Marie is an artist who wins on her playful commentary, magnetic vocals and infectious personality, as was perfectly showcased her 2016 debut and four million-selling, Speak Your Mind, which became that years’ biggest-selling debut release in the UK.

Last year saw Anne-Marie make new strides, too. Making her prime time debut as a new judge on talent show The Voice this year – a show she won - Anne-Marie released her much-anticipated and critically acclaimed second studio album, ‘Therapy’. A title that holds an extremely important message to the Mind Charity ambassador, Anne-Marie has continually campaigned for the conversation surrounding mental health, be that in her YouTube documentary titled ‘How to be Anne-Marie’ or fronting ITV’s Britain Get Talking campaign. Anne-Marie also released her debut book, You Deserve Better; part memoir, part practical self-help, Anne-Marie drew on her own experiences to help readers tackle life’s challenges, embrace opportunities and celebrate their successes.

Over her career to date, Anne-Marie has become a BRITs Critics Choice finalist; Nordoff Robbins ‘Best Newcomer’ winner; LGBT ‘Music Artist’ winner for 2021; 9 x BRIT Award nominee; an official ambassador of The Princes Trust and more.