Glaring lights, screaming crowd, and heart-thundering beat in one scene are familiar, aren’t they? Hooray! Because these concert scenes are back, with a lust for life. But… let’s interrupt your zest for this exciting part and hark back to how it looked during the first year of the pandemic.
The Philippine concert spots during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic have been in total shut down. We’ve all missed the part where life becomes bearable and super enjoyable for a night with our loved ones and idols. The producers and critics even thought that artists have to take their prolonged toll online and that concerts are the last to recover when the pandemic is over.
Like so many places, the beloved Mall of Asia Arena has been shuttered since the pandemic first flared up in March 2020. The 15,000-person venue, a staple of the local and international music scene th
at served as the main stage for Manila acts, used to host music shows almost every night. While a few locals can still shop in the mall for necessities, nobody expected a band or singers to play there – or anywhere else, for that matter – until sometime this year.
For a time, we all thought that live music and concert would never return, at least not in the foreseeable future. Now, enough with looking back because the concert scene is alive and kicking once more and waiting for us.
“The scene’s the same, but it’s a lot louder this time around,” shared Elijah Pareño, music writer and founder of The Flying Lugaw. New faces, talents, and names that became the public’s most-admired icons in the pandemic and the classics are coming together to amplify stages in manila and bring in years’ worth of pent-up energy and excitement.
Pandemic still in mind: Safety concert protocols
The concert scenes may be louder this time, but it must also be safer for everyone, considering the COVID-19 virus is still around. It is undeniably true that the past two years have been a pain in the ass as we were all prohibited from physical gatherings, and we wouldn’t want to go back there. So, a few adjustments won’t hurt, especially if they guarantee you of being able to attend concerts next time.
The concert scene this time won’t cost much protection-wise, with only vaccine card inspections, disinfection measures, and proper wearing of the protective mask as a necessary staple. During the concerts held early this year, we saw how music filled the stages, and so too did a gathering of mask-wearing locals who were eager to experience their first concert in years. Most wore their best outfits, brought their photo cards and light sticks, and came with their loved ones while maintaining a cautious, pandemic-friendly distance from one another.
Don’t you miss getting hyped up and seeing your fave local artists and groups live and in person? If you do, you’re just on the right article because 2022 is not over yet. And this article has all you need, including the concert protocols and the list of jam-packed fan meets and concerts, with others collaborating with youngsters’ all-time and go-to amusement and entertainment parks. Here’s a list of some performances coming to the country for the remaining days of 2022.
The Juans (October 23)
Up first is the major solo concert of The Juans in Araneta Coliseum this October 23. Calling all the Juanistas, it is not too late to jam out with your idols and be one of the 500 Lucky VIP Ticket Holders to have the chance to join and meet and greet with a group photo opportunity. The band members are very excited to do this concert with you!
“We’ve been at this for several years now as The Juans, and we feel that we’ve been working all this time to get to this point,” said singer-songwriter Carl Guevarra.
Japs Mendoza also shared his warm sentiment saying, “We’re so excited to do this… It is for us as well.”
Justine Bieber (Indefinite)
Next up is Beliebers’ ultimate dream to watch Justin Bieber live. You are probably one of those who’s been long-waiting for his comeback to the Philippines after 11 years. Well, (cross-fingers) October 29 is the right moment to fulfill this dream as he performs on stage at the CCP Open Grounds for Justice World Tour.
This comeback promises a worthwhile celebration for Bieber and a surprise to his fans after the pandemic sidelined his 2020 tour. He last held a concert in the Philippines in May 2011. He was also set to perform in the country in 2017 for the “Purpose” tour, but it was canceled.
Calle Con 2022 (November 11-12)
Gear up now Batang-Calles, because the biggest Hip-hop event in the country is back to make noise from November 11 to 12! It’s time to unleash our inner swag and shake off our crazies over local hip-hop tunes. The Calle Con comeback, after three years of preparation, guarantees to serve us a 2-day unrivaled local urban community scene and experience with over 50 artists and groups.
“We bring back the stories from the past to a bigger stage. We look back to how it all started. Highlighting every story of passion and talent from their diversified roots,” Calle Con: Batang Calle.
LANY (November 11-16)
Pop-rock band LANY, in a Twitter post in June, confirmed the announcement of the fifth date of their final Manila performance in their Asia 2022 tour.
“Asia, we’ve added more shows. Manila, here is a 5th and final night, and tickets go on sale at 10 am this Thursday,” LANY.
A November to remember indeed, for the Stanbase as the music band announced an addition to the supposed three-day Manila concert return this November. Concerts from November 11 to 16 will be held at the Mall of Asia Arena.
SIGLA Music Festival: Laguna (December 3)
Imagine your ideal music festival, with all your favorite superstars in the country joining forces to duet you and the crowd all you want. For real! Beyond Limits Events Production is set to bring Southern Luzon’s biggest music festival, the Sigla Music Festival in Laguna, on December 3.
Sigla will house the 18 hottest Pinoy music acts, such as The Itchyworms, December Avenue, Mayonnaise, Moonstar88, I Belong To The Zoo, Lola Amour, The Juans, Zack Tabudlo, Kiyo, Adia, Just Hush, Al James, Ellie, DJ Davi Dez, Justine Atienza, Keanna, Ervylle, and Lynde.
Salo-salo Fest (December 2-4)
Another one, but surely, you’re also going to shine. For the first time, the Philippines will be having its theme park music festival where you can enjoy unlimited rides and live music at once. The lineup for this inaugural edition includes local and international acts, with the special participation of Enchanted Kingdom park riders’ screams. It will be held from December 2 to 4 at the Enchanted Kingdom theme park in Santa Rosa, Laguna.
Maroon 5 (December 8)
We’re looking forward to yet another pop-rock band coming to Manila. The “sugar” to spice up the last month of the year is slated to hold a Manila concert on December 8 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
“We’ve added one last stop on our 2022 World tour! We look forward to seeing you at the end of the year!” the band wrote in an Instagram post.
Comments