Loving Madonna to the tune of P57,750

Feb. 24, 2016 would be the first time that most Pinoys would see Madonna perform live and fans would want the best seats. These would be those closest to the stage where the Material Girl’s every wart, wrinkle, tendon, vein, etc., can be put under close scrutiny. To have those prized seats, they have to shell out a whopping P57,750 and pray that she will sing her hit songs.

What if she sings I’m Going Bananas? Pinoys paying an arm and a leg and maybe more to watch Madonna as the Queen of Pop should be treated to Material Girl, Cherish, La Isla Bonita, Take A Bow, Like A Virgin, Into The Groove, Like A Prayer, Papa Don’t Preach, Vogue, Frozen, True Blue, Borderline, Holiday, Dress You Up, Crazy For You, Sooner Or Later, This Used To Be My Playground, Justify My Love, Deeper And Deeper, Gimme All Your Lovin’, etc.

Last I heard, there were already a lot of deep-pocketed fans who have bought their tickets to the show. Why not, it might just be next year’s biggest music event. More have expressed interest in wanting to watch. That is why a second date has been announced. Madonna will now also be performing on Feb. 25, 2016 at the MOA Arena.

What can you get for P57,750? A lot. A bag from Gucci or a casual dress from Alexander McQueen if you belong to the moneyed lot. That amount can also pay for a semester in college or a trip to Hong Kong with a bit of shopping money left. It is certainly much more than what a regular worker gets in a month. Much more than what some laborers can see in a lifetime. It can feed a lot of mouths.

Sometimes, I cannot help feeling ticket prices out here are just too much and spending that much money just to watch a concert is a crime. But maybe, it is only because I cannot afford to spend so much for that kind of ticket. Whatever. I am conscience-stricken. Besides, I am also afraid that now that local promoters have found out that people here can afford to put out that kind of money for a show, they will be pricing their next big acts in the same bracket.

Anyway, if you do love Madonna and must definitely be there at the MOA, you can also get tickets for P52,500 (Patron VIP and VIP Floor); P42,000 (Patron); P33,600 (Lower Box, VIP); P29,400 (Lower Box); P8,400 (Upper Box); P3,150 (General Admission). Okay, it will only be a tiny Madonna for P3,150 but beggars can’t be choosers. Besides, you will hear the music and at that price, you can be with your friends, which should make the experience doubly enjoyable.

 Now, let us go to the other side. I mean to the coming visit of a hot young artist, with songs in the charts of the world nowadays. He will also be at the MOA and his concert date will be on Nov. 21. The guy is four-time Grammy winner Sam Smith and bless him and his promoters for the affordable ticket prices. 

You can watch Smith, of the big hits Stay With Me, La La La, Lay Me Down, Money On My Mind and I’m Not The Only One from the album In The Lonely Hour, for only P6,830 for Patron tickets. The rest of the prices are even better. P4,730 (Lower Box); P2,100 (Upper Box); and P1,050 (General Admission).

I know Brit star Smith is no pop icon yet. We do not even know if he will be able to duplicate the success of his first album. Still, I am sure he will put on a good show. You can listen to that voice of his anywhere and he will sound great. Besides, I will not be bothered that I maxed out my credit card and will be slaving to meet payments just to watch a concert.

Somewhat steep but quite reasonable given the stature of its frontman are the tickets to Maroon 5, also at the MOA on Sept. 17. The show also features the Swedish band Dirty Loops and will cost fans P15,900 (VIP); P12,720 (Patron); P10,600 (Lower Box A); P8,480 (Lower Box B); P5,300 (Upper Box); P2,120 (General Admission). 

Maroon 5 lead vocalist is no other but Adam Levine, the sexy star coach of The Voice, the high-rating US talent show on television. He also has this incredible voice with a gorgeous falsetto. Some of Maroon 5’s biggest hits are Sugar, Animals, Maps, One More Night, Move Like Jagger, This Love, Makes Me Wonder and Harder To Breathe. Should be worth the cost.