Holding the shows of many famous international artists in the country in 2016 made it a truly superb year for Pinoy partygoers and music lovers.
Clockwise: The Chainsmokers, (from left) Erik Santos, Martin Nievera, Regine Velasquez and Angeline Quinto, Selena Gomez; (from left): Kyla, KZ Tandingan, Angeline Quinto and Yeng Constantino; Madonna, and Sting l Manila Bulletin
It’s hard to imagine a bigger music star coming to the Philippines last year than Madonna. Many people may have balked at the steep ticket prices to her show (up to 50 thousand pesos!), but the Mall Of Asia was packed none the less last Feb. 24 and 25 for the icon’s “Rebel Heart Tour.”
But of course, traffic got rerouted as Madonna fans came in droves, many of whom were dressed like the pop star including comedians Vice Ganda and Ethel Booba. There was minor controversy about some of the show’s risqué numbers but all’s well that ends well.
And how can anyone forget Sting and Chris Botti at the Marriott Grand Ballroom? It was one of the best shows in 2016.
Concertgoers lived like royals with the much-anticipated Valentine concert titled (what else?) “Royals” headlined by Martin Nievera, Regine Velasquez, Erik Santos, and Angeline Quinto last Feb. 13 and 14, also at MOA then at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu City.
Staying true to the summer season, the month of April sizzled with the staging of “Pulp Summer Slam: Come Out And Play” last April 30 at the Amoranto Stadium.Southeast Asia’s biggest bands came, including Lacuna Coil, Belphegor, Veil of Maya, We Are Harlot, Protest the Hero, I Killed the Prom Queen, Act of Defiance and Volumes. The country’s own Greyhoundz, Slapshock, Razorback, Kjwan, Wilabaliw, and Insekto Pares joined them on stage.
July was red-letter month for Selena Gomez fanatics who watched their idol’s Manila leg of “Revival Tour.” Among stars that made way for photo opportunity with the Disney Princess are Liza Soberano and Louise Delos Reyes.
The Chainsmokers, the American DJ duo who are hotter than an oven in the music scene these days, held a one-night-only show Aug. 19 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. Composed of Andrew Taggart and Alex Pall, they drew throngs of partygoers with their hits “#Selfie,” “Roses,” and “Don’t Let Me Down,” which, at the time of the concert, was at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Last June 24, “MTV Music Evolution Manila 2016” once again put the spotlight on the finest acts in the world. The event showcased iconic and contemporary international music artists and the hottest new acts in both the regional and local music scenes on a single stage, while featuring the best of Philippine music and culture to international youth audiences. Among artists who graced the event are the adorable duo of James Reid and Nadine Lustre, Bebe Rexha, Apink, and the American pop-rock band OneRepublic.
YouTube sensation-turned-recording artist Charlie Puth wowed the Manila crowd with his “Charlie Puth Nine Track Mind Tour” Aug. 14 at the KIA Theatre. He is the voice behind the hits “Marvin Gaye,” “See You Again,” “One Call Away,” “Suffer,” and “See You Again” co-written and co-produced by Wiz Khalifa.
The month of November assembled a total girl power show for concertgoers. Four of this generation’s greatest Filipina singers namely KZ Tandingan, Yeng Constantino, Angeline Quinto and Kyla gathered in major concert Nov. 11 at the Araneta Coliseum. It was a night of birits and badass songs. A world tour is being planned.
As for Popstar Princess Sarah Geronimo, she wowed the crowd with her comeback concert “The Great Unknown:Unplugged” staged Nov. 29 at the KIA Theatre.
Sarah won Female Concert Performer of the Year at the recently concluded Star Awards for MTV for her two-night all-original song concert “From The Top” held at Smart Araneta in December 2016. She was also one of the nominees at the 2016 MTV Europe Music Awards - Best Southeast Asia Act category alongside Vietnam’s Dong Nhi, Singapore’s Gentle Bones, Indonesia’s Raisa Andriana, Thailand’s Thaitanium, and Malaysia’s Yuna.
Kilig is not only for the month of February as newcomer Ronnie Alonte proved in his “#KiligKing” concert Dec. 17 at the KIA Theatre.
If you think 2016 was a blast, here’s what’s ahead in 2017: Coldplay. Ring out the old, ring in the new!