A rich harvest of concerts

One thing that Filipinos are never in want of is entertainment and judging from the way they have been coming and going these past years, a big chunk of this is provided by foreign artists. For those who still remember, there was a time in this country when the local performance of a big foreign star was a once-a-year event that everybody looked forward to and literally saved up for.

That is not the case anymore. Nowadays, not a week goes by without a pop concert happening at the Araneta Coliseum or at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena and other venues around town. And I have also noticed that nobody in this poverty-riddled country of ours are complaining about the exorbitant ticket prices anymore. They have so gotten used to the present cost of concert watching.

Just think. Last week saw the gorgeous Christina Perri of A Thousand Years fame giving an excellent performance at the Big Dome in Cubao. Tomorrow, March 12, we will see the hot British troubador Ed Sheeran at the MOA Arena. I heard that tickets to the one sold out upon announcement of the show. Also doing well in sales with its strong fan base is the American rock band Incubus who will also be at the MOA on March 13.

Now, just in case you have the time and the big bucks, here are some music events that you might be interested in watching.

The MTV School Swag on Saturday, March 14, 4 p.m. at the Market! Market! Activity Center. MTV Pinoy presents the competition among 11 of the hottest collegiate street dance and hip-hop crews for cash and other prizes plus, and most important of all, a starring role in a music video with a legit hip-hop artist, whose name will be announced later. Admission is for free. Just go to Market! Market! and you will get to watch performances by Andrew E; Q-York, Blaze N Kane, Schizophrenia, Yassi Pressman, Jessica Reynoso, The A-Team and special guest performer Julie Anne San Jose.  The board of judges will be headed by former MTV VJ KC Montero. 

March 16 is the big day for fans of the legendary all-star group Crosby, Stills & Nash who were formerly of The Byrds, The Hollies and Buffalo Springfield before they got together and are members of the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame twice over. I know, I know, many would have preferred to have had a quartet instead of a trio. Remember the time when it was Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young? But even without Neil Young, David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Graham Nash have impeccable credentials as rock icons and a line-up of big hits that nobody will object listening to. 

So go all-out for mellow rock with these timeless hits. Suite: Judy Blue Eyes; Marrakesh Express; Woodstock, Our House, Teach Your Children, Long Time Gone, Carry On, Just A Song Before I Go, Wooden Ships, Almost Cut My Hair, Love The One You’re With, Wasted On The Way and others. An Evening with Crosby Stills & Nash is presented by Ovation Productions. Tickets are available at all Ticketnet outlets and on-line at www.ticketnet.com.ph.

The Script Live in Manila will be in town for one night only on April 17 at the MOA Arena. The Irish band is composed of Danny O’Donoghue on vocals and piano; Mark Sheehan on vocals and guitar and Glen Power on vocals and drums. This will be the group’s third visit to the Philippines and I am sure that many still recall how successful its first two shows were. I am sure this next one will be no different. It would be nice to once more hear The Script do tunes like The Man Who Can’t Be Moved, Science & Faith, No Good In Goodbye, If You Ever Come Back and others live. Tickets are available at www.smtickets.com or any SM Ticket outlets. Call 470-2222 for inquiries.

Come April 30, it will be the turn of Demi Lovato to entertain her Filipino fans. The famous Disney princess will be at the MOA Arena for her second Manila gig. The first one, held at the Big Dome, was good so I am sure that her fans have been looking forward for her return trip. And best of all, they will now have the chance to watch her perform her big hit from the Frozen movie soundtrack, Let It Go live. That is, of course, aside from her other big sellers like Heart Attack, Give Your Heart A Break, Neon Lights, Really Don’t Care, Made In the USA, This Is Me and my favorite of all, Skyscraper. Tickets are available at all SM outlets.