Sam overcomes limits in concert

MANILA, Philippines - Sam Concepion’s sold-out concert No Limitations, held last March 15 at the Music Museum, did not boast of an elaborate stage set-up, or concert special effects. But whatever the show lacked in superficialities, the young performer undeniably compensated with his sheer talent, charm and wit.

With stage director Paolo Valenciano and musical director Marvin Querido, No Limitations highlighted Sam’s limitless talent and reminded everyone in the audience that he is perhaps the most talented performer of his generation.

The concert, produced by Hills and Dreams, also exhibited how generous Sam is as a performer, and the fans awarded the young singer-dancer-actor with thunderous applause and the loudest screams throughout the concert.

Sam opened the show on a high note with a mash-up of his single No Limitations and Usher’s OMG. The opening number set the tone for the entire concert — energy-filled, young, warm and a bit playful.

From being the perennial good boy, Sam showed his fun, relaxed and a bit naughty side during his spiels.

The young performer was in his element performing his original songs from his latest album Infinite. He was edgy in his performance of the Jay R-penned song I’m The One.

He also impressed the crowd with his modern take on She Drives Me Crazy, also included in the album.

Rescue You, on the other hand, became one of the songs he dedicated to his fans. The song was composed by Christian Bautista.

Backed by the La Salle Dance Company-Street, Sam impressed the audience with his impeccable Michael Jackson medley, which included lesser-known MJ hits like I Want You Back, Blame It On The Boogie, Black Or White, Smooth Criminal, Wanna Be Starting Something and Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough.

Sam also paid tribute to what may be the biggest project of his career, the movie I Do Bidoo Bidoo, by performing his own rendition of the Apo Hiking Society classic Panalangin.

Known for his song-and-dance numbers, Sam pulled a big surprise when he turned mellow and sentimental singing John Legend’s All Of Me and Coldplay’s Yellow. The numbers highlighted Sam’s versatility as a vocalist.

Sam and X Factor Philippines grand winner KZ Tandingan wowed the audience with their stirring duet of A Great Big World and Christina Aguilera’s Say Something. The number is easily one of the concert’s most applauded numbers.

KZ’s solo of Roar and the concert’s other guest Tippy Dos Santos’ Teenage Dream were also received warmly by the concertgoers.

One of the highly-anticipated numbers of the night was Sam and Tippy’s duet of their hit song Dati, grand winner of the 2013 PhilPop Music Festival (PhilPop). Sam also performed his original song Kontrabida, 2012 PhilPop second runner-up.

Sam seamlessly shifted to his “rock” self when he performed the inspirational song Di Ka Nag-iisa. He even rapped the part originally done by fliptopper Dello.

In a special production number within the concert, Sam performed with all his heart in a jaw-dropping dance number.

Dubbed as the Chris Brown of the Philippines, the young singer closed the show with a medley of hits of the international singer. The audience stood up to dance with Sam during the number.

The fans of Sam, as expected, asked for an encore number. He obliged by performing his hit song Mahal Na Mahal, which was made even more special by Sam’s rumored girlfriend Jasmine Curtis, who dished out a few lines from the song. The crowd went wild when the two performed a line from the said song.

ABS-CBN executives Johnny Manahan, Mariole Alberto, Andre Allan Alvarez and Enrico Santos attended the concert with Mirabella director Erick Salud and Sam’s current leading lady Julia Barretto, among others.

No Limitations underscored the immense talent and versatility of Sam, who seemed to be capable of doing anything on the concert stage.

Watching the concert makes one hope that Sam be blessed with bigger projects because, undeniably, he is one of the most underrated artists of his generation.