Tower of Power’s 50th anniversary show

For great soul music with a funk vibe, there is no way you can go wrong with the Tower of Power (TOP). It had its Smart Araneta Coliseum concert last Sept. 7. It was the first time in its 50-year history that this iconic American band performed in Manila.

Formed by Emilio Castillo and Stephen “Doc” Kupka in 1968, TOP has since then gone through many changes in band personnel. But it has kept its distinctive sound throughout, most especially its horn section that is in huge demand in recordings by other artists.

TOP hits the band performed were You’re Still A Young Men, So Very Hard To Go, What Is Hip? Don’t Change Horses In The Middle Of The Stream, This Time It’s Real and Time Will Tell.

Also in the line-up was perennial Pinoy favorite Dennis Lambert. Truth to tell, I do not believe that a day goes by when his Of All The Things is not heard on the air. Other favorites by Lambert are Ashes To Ashes, Somebody Found Her Before I Lost Her and So Little Time. 

There was also Kalapana in the same bill. Pinoys also cannot seem to get enough of this Hawaiian band. Its well-remembered hits from the past are The Hurt, You Make It Hard When The Morning Comes and the one that everybody loves, Nightbird.

 Here are other shows to watch out for:

Dua Lipa — AP photo

 Sept. 14, Dua Lipa at the Mall Of Asia Arena. Dua Lipa is the young pop diva of Albanian descent from the UK who is responsible for hits like Be The One, IDGAF, New Rules and One Kiss, a collab with Calvin Harris. I do not know how the Brit and MTV awardee Dua performs but she makes great tunes and is a lovely high fashion sight.

Sept. 15, Shane Filan of Westlife returns solo at the Kia Theater to showcase his solo album Love Always and those famous Westlife hits, Swear It Again, Uptown Girl, If I Let You Go, World Of Our Own, You Raise Me Up, My Love, Need You Now, Heaven, Unbreakable, Beautiful In White and others. And good news he will be at the SMX Convention Center in Davao on Sept. 16.

Sept. 29, Unique: The Grandma Tour at the Kia Theater. The mysterious Unique, ex-frontman of IV of Spades, is launching his solo career with this show. The show featuring his first solo album Grandma, which has all new cuts composed and performed by Unique himself. Hot first single release is the dreamy Midnight Sky.

Oct. 5, Sam Smith for the second time at the MOA. The sweet soul balladeer is on his The Thrill Of It All Tour. But not to worry, I am sure he will be ready to sing not only his latest hits, Too Good At Goodbyes, Pray, Burning but also older goodies like Stay With Me and I’m Not The Only One.

Shane Filan

Oct. 21, A1 at the Kia Theater. The British-Norwegian group is returning to Asia in a very special show because original member Paul Marazzi is joining Ben Adams, Mark Read and Christian Ingebrigsten for the first time in 15 years. Watch out for Everytime, Like A Rose, Caught In The Middle and Heaven By Your Side. And because A1 fans in Manila gobbled up those tickets fast, a new date has been added, Oct. 22 also at the Kia.

Oct. 25, Kygo at the MOA Arena. Today’s hottest electronic dance musician is making his first visit to the Philippines for his Kids In Love Tour. Kygo is a producer, composer and DJ who took the world by storm with First Time ft. Ellie Goulding, Firestone ft. Conrad Sewell, Stole The Show ft. Parson James and It Ain’t Me ft. Selena Gomez. He is the fastest artist in history to earn a billion Spotify streams and critics love him as well.

Oct. 26, Mariah Carey at the Araneta Coliseum. Mimi returns to Manila in an all-new show and fully armed with her No. 1 hits. One Sweet Day, Vision Of Love, Love Takes Time, Someday, Emotions, Hero, Always Be My Baby, My All, Heartbreaker and maybe, because the date is only a few weeks away from the Christmas Holidays, she might just give in and do All I Want For Christmas Is You, which is the biggest-selling Christmas song of the pop era.

Sam Smith — AP photo

Oct. 30, New British sensation Calum Scott will be at the Kia Theater for his Only Human Asia Tour. The Brits-nominated 29-year-old crooner conquered Britain’s Got Talent with his rendition of Robyn’s Dancing On My Own. Now he is showing off his own compositions, You Are The Reason, Rhythm Inside, Hotel Room, and others in his debut album Only Human.

Nov. 2, Khalid at the Araneta Coliseum on his first Asian tour. Khalid is one of last year’s major music discoveries. This is the kid behind the critically-acclaimed American Teen album that zeroed in on growing up and life in high school. His hit singles Young, Dumb & Broke, Love Lies and the sensational Location made him a star. His latest is a collab with EDM star Martin Garrix titled Ocean.

Nov. 18, The Aaron Carter Love Tour Live in Manila at the Kia Theater. The last time Aaron Carter was here was when he was only 14 years old. The teen heartthrob from the ‘90s is now 30 years old but is still a looker. Moreover, aside from his early hits like I Want Candy and Crush On You, he has a new album titled Love with the hot single Sooner Or Later.