A ‘royal’ performance for loyal fans

MANILA, Philippines – A royal performance fit for a royal audience. This is how Martin Nievera describes his Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena concert titled Royals on Feb. 13 at 8 p.m. with Regine Velasquez, Erik Santos and Angeline Quinto as fellow headliners.

“The line-up of songs is fit for a royalty,” adds The Concert King. “The audience is the royalty, not us. Although there are certain titles that have been given to us that are blessings really and a gauge of the performances we should give (so) whatever they call us, we better be as good as whatever they call us.”

Their followers should be treated like royalty for making their solo concerts and individual albums sold-out. Royals is a tribute from these performers to honor the loyalty of the fandoms, so to speak, of Martin, Regine as Asia’s Songbird, Erik and Angeline as the King and Queen of Teleserye Theme Songs, respectively. 

“It’s a dream come true the moment I’m with them,” says Erik, a Martin fan. “I’m very excited to be working with them,” adds Angeline, whose ultimate idol is Regine.

Although Erik and Angeline have made a name for themselves as singers, they will surely be echoing their idols come performance night. That’s why Martin can’t help but say: “It is Regine and Martin times two.” As for Regine, however, the show is more exciting since “it is a different combination and a different repertoire, or a different concept comes with it.” This is a whole-new live performance experience from Martin and Regine’s previous show with Lani Misalucha and Gary Valenciano.

“I’m truly touched by what Erik and Angeline are saying,” reacts Martin on the singers’ admiration for him and Regine. “I feel, I’m sure Regine will agree (with me), that they have surpassed what we (had) started given this day and age of social networks... I have seen so much of myself in Erik. I have seen so much of Regine in Angeline.” From a fan’s perspective, however, there is only one Martin and Regine, who have successfully reinvented themselves as artists and have shown future recording stars what staying power is all about. 

The show will not shortchange the fans. Martin, Regine, Erik and Angeline make sure they are on top of their game and the public will see them perform together, all four of them. You know, four voices sharing the same stage, with perhaps four interpretations of the same song.

“You have more than one artist on stage,” says Martin. “First number pa lang, feeling nila sulit na ito.”

Royals is a product of the collaboration between the artists and commitment to present something new to their followers. 

“Hindi po yan mawawala,” says Erik of the pressure working with veteran singers. “The idea of joining our idols in one concert is more than a blessing for me and for Angeline… We need to keep up with them.”

“Sana makasabay ako sa kanila,” adds Angeline. “Sa totoo lang, ako ang pinakabago sa aming apat, madami pa akong dapat matutunan, madami pa akong dapat aralin pagdating sa pagkanta at hindi naman ako pinababayaan ng mga kasama ko. They also support me like what songs I will sing… (As for my preparation,) I’m now listening to songs I didn’t listen before. I’m swimming every day. I have to listen to those who know better than I do, music-wise. Everyone has his own contributions to the repertoire.”

So what can fans expect from their “royal” performance? Martin suggests that they should do a Miss Saigon medley that Regine did in her Solaire show. The four could do a similar segment to the 25th anniversary gala of Miss Saigon, featuring Lea Salonga and Simon Bowman, the 1989 Kim and Chris, with Eva Noblezada and Alistair Brammer, the 2015 Vietnamese girl and American G.I. They could also perform their hits. Erik and Angeline should sing the tunes that made them decide to become like Martin and Regine, and also their winning pieces in their respective talent shows like Star in the Million and Star Power.

When Regine and Martin are asked about working with Erik and Angeline for this musical venture, Regine answers, “They are both good at what they are doing and they are popular right now. Their songs are popular, too. They are hard working as well. At bakit hindi?”

As for Martin, he says, “These two are the singers to watch, who will be there for a long, long time if not forever.”

Royals is a concert — a rare one — that fans, especially aspiring singers, should watch to see themselves why these singers have stayed long in showbiz and have remained relevant.

Royals will also have a Feb. 14 show at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu City. For details, call 470-2222 or visit www.smtickets.com or call 0925-5200222 or (032) 232-6888.