Gigi De Lana and her band The Gigi Vibes will stage their first major live concert tonight at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Resorts World Manila. The music event also marks ABS-CBN Events’ return to the live concert scene with physical audiences since the COVID-19 pandemic broke out in 2020.
Titled Domination, Gigi and her band hoped to express “domination” and conquer more audiences through their songs. They also want to inspire and share good vibes through their music.
“Yung word kasi na dominate is a very strong word. I think yung domination means we are here to express ourselves. Very strong kasi lahat kami since marami na kaming pinagdaanan and through our songs, dun namin ilalabas kung sino talaga kami (as a band). So parang we are here to dominate the world. We are here to be with you,” asserted Gigi during the digital media conference for the show.
The Gigi Vibes is composed of Jon Cruz, Romeo Marquez, Jake Manalo and the latest to join them is Julius.
Aside from Manila, they will also be holding physical concerts in Dubai on March 12, Abu Dhabi on March 18 and Bahrain on March 25.
“Dati nangangarap lang kami na simpleng tao tapos ngayon makakapagtugtog na sa iba’t-ibang lugar. Like sa Middle East, lalabas pa ng bansa,” said Jake on his personal take on what “domination” means. “Pero hindi lang basta dominate, kumbaga parang nagre-reach out kami as a simpleng tao lang. Ngayon, parang kilala niyo na kami lahat but we’ve remained humble as a band.”
Gigi and the rest of the band members look forward to performing in front of a live crowd. “Iba yung viewers natin sa internet eh na nanduduon din. Nakikita mo na nagco-comment. So iba yung experience na makaharap mo sila dun,” said Jon.
Jake chimed in, “Gusto namin maabot bawat lugar pero siyempre pandemic pa din. We want to make the audience happy ng harap-harapan, not only on mobile phones or online.”
Romeo agreed, “It’s different kasi kapag live na makikita mo yung crowd na nagche-cheer at sumasabay sila. Iba yun.”
Gigi turned emotional when it was her turn to speak about returning to the live scene. “I’m looking forward na makakantahan ko yung mga tao. Yung matitingnan mo sila sa mata, makwentuhan mo sila habang kumakanta ka. Kapag kumakanta ako, (gusto kong makita) yung expression ng mata mo na parang naiintindihan mo rin kung ano yung sinasabi ko through (my) song,” shared the singing sensation who described it as the “best feeling” for her as an artist.
The band likewise felt pressured “in a good way” and excited at the same time to do these local and international gigs.
Gigi is one of 2021’s breakthrough stars who headlined the YouTube Music Night and one of the featured artists in 1MX Dubai last December. She released her self-titled album early this year including the hit single Sakalam. She also rendered the official soundtrack (OST) of Viral Scandal titled Nasa’yo Ako and the OST of Hello Heart, Bakit Nga Ba Mahal Kita.
Gigi has also ventured into acting and is open to work again with Gerald Anderson, her co-star in the iQiyi and ABS-CBN co-production Hello Heart, but on one condition — that is, to include The Gigi Vibes as cast members.
Given the chance, she would also like to do a project with Albert Martinez. “Kahit makasama ko lang po siya sa isang show. Gusto ko siyang maging father. Kasi sobrang iniidolo ko po kasi siya. Bata pa ako nung napanood ko siya. Tapos tuwang-tuwa po ako sa pag-arte talaga ni Sir Albert.”
(Co-produced by Resorts World Manila, Gigi De Lana and The Gigi Vibes: Domination will also be streamed via www.ktx.ph on April 23.)