KZ striking while the iron is really hot

MANILA, Philippines — KZ Tandingan, now dubbed Asia’s Soul Supreme, has the rightest reason to stage a major concert at this stage of her career. Her unprecedented stint in Singer 2018 held in China put her in the world map and proved that she is a monumental talent in the highly-competitive Philippine music scene.

For that and her previous exploits strengthened by her X-Factor Philippines breakthrough triumph at scoring hit songs, she no doubt deserves a grand evening with fans at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena.

The concert titled Supreme: KZ Tandingan is set on June 22, Friday, 8 p.m. Just four months passed since she debuted in Singer 2018 with a bang, beating international star Jessie J for the No. 1 spot in the challenger round.

“I’m very excited kahit nakaka-pressure. Nakakalula. Sana suportahan nila ang concert,” humbly stated KZ during a recent presscon at Felicidad Mansion in QC, where rain somewhat ruined the occasion originally set at the pool area.

After the staff moved the tables indoors, KZ only needed to sing a few songs, including her beloved rendition of Air Supply’s Two Less Lonely People, to keep everyone feel it was worth braving the rain to see her.

Right off the bat, she discussed how the concert’s poster meant a lot to her. She pointed out, “I want something that represents me. Yung poster pa lang, clear na sa tao what to expect.”

Visually, the image is stylishly modern and daring, like a bold statement about her ability to go beyond expectations.

Supreme will showcase KZ performing her hits and self-penned songs, and delivering “exceptional production numbers.” Guest-artists include Iñigo Pascual, Moira dela Torre, Gloc-9 and her ASAP Soul Sessions mates Kyla, Jason Dy and Daryl Ong. It will also be the first time in a major gig that her singing boyfriend TJ Monterde will appear.

She said of her star-in-his-own-right partner, “Grabe din ang hard work niya sa career. He is so involved with his music and ang mga achievements niya ay organic.”

Produced by Cornerstone Concerts and Star Events, with Johnny Manahan as director, KZ’s MOA concert is a kind of coronation night for a millennial singing queen. At 26, she is clearly on top of her game, making the timing of the show perfect.

In 2012, she was hailed X-Factor champ. Two years later, her interpretation of Mahal Ko O Mahal Ako helped the song to top Himig Handog contest, become MOR Awards’ Song of the Year and score Best Ballad Recording at Awit Awards.

KZ’s sophomore album released last year produced Labo that won the Best Urban Song in Wish Music Awards. She recorded a couple of songs for Academy of Rock Singapore to be marketed soon.

For all the new set of audience she won over in Singer 2018, it is the empowerment within that made the trip to China truly effective. She related, “Mas naging mature ako as a person after Singer 2018 kasi nasa lugar ako na wala akong kakilala at iba ang kultura.”

Prior to wowing the Chinese crowd, she had mesmerized spectators in the Dubai X Music Fest touted as the biggest in the famed Middle Eastern city.

Now, she is planning to release an album in China.

When someone asked how would she take if given the opportunity to collaborate with Jessie J, she excitedly replied, “Aarte pa ba ako?”

On her keeping herself in full blast each time she performs, she informed, “Nandun pa din po lagi kasi ang gigil.”

That basically explains why Labo is given so much justice that one can think it can’t sound as punchy if sung by someone else.

(For tickets, call SM Tickets at 470-2222 or log on to www.smtickets.com.)