Colton Dixon, the American Idol finalist is showing his full support to Pinoy pride colleague Jessica Sanchez by performing at the latter’s upcoming Big Dome Valentine concert. This much-awaited concert date will serve as a highlight occasion in mirroring the success of their respective solo recordings ever since making waves during the 11th season of American Idol. 

Colton will release his debut album “A Messenger” here in the Philippines in time for his upcoming concert with Jessica Sanchez. A MESSENGER boasts two singles that both topped the Christian and Gospel Digital Sales. The songs “You Are” and “Never Gone” best represent the album distributed in the Philippines by MCA Music. Their uplifting messages and complementing melodies provide Colton perfect avenues to share his musicality and character.

“Never Gone” in particular sold 21,000 units during just the first week of release. This favorable response made it into an instant success on the iTunes Christian and Gospel Singles chart, Billboard’s Christian Digital Songs, and Christian/Gospel Digital Songs charts. The anthemic “You Are”, which like “Never Gone” also hit the top spot on the said charts, was selected as USA Today’s Song of the Week last October. Never Gone video for iheartradio courtesy of RickeyTVX.

“A Messenger”, an album Colton did with a number of notable songwriters and producers, contains 11 tracks showcasing his trademark balance of vocal tenderness and intensity, as well as his energetic piano playing and, of course, his sense of hope and inspiration. He co-penned with mega- producer Busbee (Daughtry, P!nk, Switchfoot, Smash Mouth) “You Are” and the power rock “Noise.” Renowned Nashville-based songwriter Zac Maloy (Daughtry, Plain White T’s) is featured on the power anthem “I’ll Be The Light,” while Dave Bassett (Shinedown) co-wrote with him “This Is Who I Am.” He also asked for help in writing the songs “Never Gone,” and “In and Out of Time.” 

“Shape Of Your Love” is added as a bonus track in Colton’s Philippine CD release.

The album aptly titled A Messenger will also be available digitally via iTunes Philippines and Mymusicstore.com.ph 

As for Jessica, her runner-up AI finish (a record for someone ‘saved’ by the judges) is equaled with a special “American Idol Season 11 Highlights” EP featuring her voice as delivered through the most memorable of her performances during that remarkable Idol run. 

It features five tracks led by her finale song “Change Nothing” which, though generally perceived as inferior to that of Philip Philips’ “Home”, still ends up delightfully representational of her heaven-sent voice. The BluJays, the name attributed to her die-hard fans worldwide, must be agreeing with this. Below is Jessica’s Change Nothing performed at the American Idol 2012 (Finals) courtesy of JayTin09.

Perhaps giving the short list its peak point is her powerful take of Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You”, patterned of course after that famed rendition of the late great Whitney Houston. The other three numbers are her versions of Beyonce’s “Sweet Dreams” and Jazmine Sullivan’s “Stuttering”, and his moving duet with Top three finisher Joshua Ledet for the track “I Knew You Were Waiting for Me.” 

Catch Pinoy Pride Jessica Sanchez together with fellow American Idol Season 11 finalist Colton Dixon in a special Valentine Concert on February 14, 8 pm at the Smart  Araneta Coliseum.  Call TicketNet at 911-5555 for ticket inquiries and reservations or visit www.ticketnet.com.ph to buy tickets online.

Jessica Sanchez LIVE! in Manila
14 Feb 2013 | Smart Araneta Coliseum | 8pm

Brought to you by MCA Music, Ovation Productions and Bench Philippines.

Pinoy Music Fest 2012
18 Dec 2012 | SMART-Araneta Coliseum

Featuring Erik Santos, Yeng Constantino, Side A, The Company, Angeline Quinto, Callalily and 6cyclemind, produced by Dreamcast Events Production. Video invitation below by dobokong.

Pinoy Music Fest 2012  promotes an alcohol free, drug free and youthful event. Proceeds will benefit the Philippine Red Cross and establish a chapter in Marikina since they are still under the Rizal Chapter. Help raise funds and strengthen their equipment for preparation for any disaster in the future.

For ticket inquiries, call 9115555 or checkout www.ticketnet.com.ph or in this LINK. 

Ticket Prices: PATRON VIP – P4,250 | PATRON REG – P3,200 | LOWER BOX – P2.650 | LOWER BOX – P2,150 | UPPER BOX A – P1,600 | UPPER BOX B - P1,100 | GENERAL ADMISSION – P500

Bente Singko: TOP 10 Concert Happenings
28 Sept 2012 | SMART Araneta Coliseum

1. Bente Singko is Aiza Seguerra’s first solo concert in Araneta Coliseum, with a lighted LP-designed panel on the stage and a large LED screen at the center, accompanied by the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Gerard Salonga and the Pogi band headed by Musical Director Mike Villegas and Ria Osorio.

2. The Asian Acoustic Sensation unfolds the night with a cover of Eraserhead’s Alapaap, The Corrs’ Runaway and Goo Goo Doll’s Iris after an inspiring video compilation of her when she started as a three-year-old lovable little miss in Eat Bulaga’s Miss Philippines 1987. From that time on, Aiza started to reach for her dreams as a talented child star, pursue a career in music and eventually became a distinguish singer-songwriter and a musician. 

3. Other songs performed were covers like The CompanY’s Pakisabi Na Lang, Simon and Garfunkel’s Bridge Over Troubled Water, Eraserhead’s Huling El Bimbo and a rock version of  Yoyoy Villame’s Butsikik. Timeless Aiza original songs were Para Sa Iyo (an original song inspired by soap opera Ysabella) and Pagdating ng Panahon, her signature hit song in 2001 reaching 5x Platinum award.

4. Aiza headbangs as she performed a Beatles Medley (Let It Be, We Can Work It Out, Baby You Can Drive My Car, Twist and Shout, Get Back, I Saw Her Standing There and Come Together) with The CompanY. Girl power is very evident in Aiza’s performance with her idols Cookie Chua (Paglisan) and Bayang Barrios (Isipin Mo Na Lang). Intense heartwarming performance of If I Could / Wind Beneath My Wings with her special someone, Protegé Krizza Neri.

5. A fun rap production number with the Sessionistas Richard Poon, Juris, Princess Velasco, Nyoy Volante and Kean Cipriano in the Ito Ang Gusto Ko and Mga Kababayan Ko (Francis M Medley). ‘Di Lang Ikaw is Aiza’s duet with Juris after the Sessionista. Juris is Aiza’s first artist to produce and the song was included in Juris’ Now Playing album. 

6. Lupang Pangako were arranged and performed anew with a rap especially written only for the concert by the multi-awarded rapper Gloc-9, a composition of Aiza created for Rock Ed Philippines which undertakes social awareness and the society’s need for change and development. Checkout the song HERE originally featuring Radha.

7. Video’s by Coney Reyes and her closest musician friends were shown in the concert: 

A. Aiza’s first time childhood memories was shared by actress Coney Reyes. 

B. She is an emotional performer, an effective song producer, a perfectionist with vocals and has the heart in performing music live are the Aiza traits shared by  musicians Mike Villegas, Ria Osorio and Jonathan Manalo.

8. Aiza performed with two of the most respected pillars of the music industry that she looks up to, performing Gaya Ng Dati with Mr. Pure Energy Gary Valenciano and I’ll Be There with the Concert King Martin Nievera. 

9. When Megastar Sharon Cuneta joined Aiza Seguerra onstage from the audience, it became a memorable duet with the song Bituing Walang Ningning. Sharon Cuneta originally popularized the song. 

10. The most anticipated performance of the night was the emotional duet of Aiza and Bossing Vic Sotto with the song What’s Matters Most. There’s a nice photo presentation in the background while they were singing.

Aiza’s collaboration with an orchestra isn’t totally new to me after watching them first at “Aiza Seguerra’s Love… Life!”, a concert with Gerard Salonga and the FilharmonikA held last Aug 2010 at Greenbelt 1 Onstage Theatre produced by Ambientmedia and the Repertory Philippines. Love… Life! concert is exceptional mainly because it’s where acoustic and orchestra puts together in live music performance. This made me expect more of her in this Silver Anniversary concert.

I’m not really impressed of what I’ve seen because I’m looking forward to Aiza’s new repertoire with the orchestra. The concert is about Aiza’s legacy in showbiz and in music. Bente Singko distinctly manifests Aiza’s gratitude for her silver milestone, the love for OPM and a well-loved music kept in the heart of every Filipino.

Checkout her latest album, Aiza’s Songs from the Vault, a 13-track album is a compilation of her favorite songs, including her compositions “Tanging Ikaw,” “Wala Ka Na,” and “Sana Di Lang Puro Sana,” released under Star Records. Completing the tracklist are revivals of hits for the hopeless romantics: “Walang Sayang,” “Persistent Rain,” “Sa’yo Lamang,” “Sukob Na,” “Miss You Like Crazy,” “When You Wish Upon a Star,” “Someone’s Waiting for You,” “Runaway,” “My Heart Will Go On,” and “Mahagkan Kang Muli” composed by Nyoy Volante. 

1. Walang Sayang
2. Persistent Rain
3. Sa’yo Lamang
4. Sukob Na
5. Miss You Like Crazy
6. When You Wish Upon a Star
7. Someone’s Waiting for You
8. Runaway
9. My Heart Will Go On
10. Mahagkan Kang Muli (composed by Nyoy Volante)
11. Tanging Ikaw
12. Wala Ka Na
13. Sana Di Lang Puro Sana

Aiza’s Songs From The Vault album preview, video by ArtjaeChannel.

Grab your own copy of Aiza Seguerra’s Songs from the Vault, it’s already available on your favorite record bars nationwide. The songs can be downloaded online via iTunes, mymusicstore.ph and www.starrecords.ph.

Related links: 

The Aiza Seguerra Meet & Greet At Bente Singko by Jellyn Magalona Alinsod

The Aiza Seguerra Meet & Greet At Bente Singko
By Jellyn Magalona Alinsod

*“‘di pa siguro bukas, ‘di pa rin ngayon. Malay mo balang araw, dumating din iyon..” ~*Pagdating Ng Panahon, 2001, Vicor Records

No, I’m not singing, these were actually my thoughts after learning that Aiza Seguerra will have a concert in Araneta. To watch a concert in the month of September isn’t part of my plan because I was set to watch Nine and Bona. Sad ‘no?! Sigh. But at around 330pm of Sept26, I saw a tweet from @ASAPofficial saying that they’re giving away free passes to Aiza’s concert, so I didn’t hesitate and joined their contest. They just asked about the songs we would like to hear from the ASAP Sessionistas. And here’s my answer:

They did heartbreak and love songs, songs about friendship, names & numbers too! how about they do a medley of songs about places/countries?

Richard - Englishman in New York
Princess - Party in the USA
Nyoy - Moonlight in Paris
Juris - California King Bed
Sitti - Waking Up in Vegas
Aiza - Back in the USSR

At 10pm of the same day, someone texted me, saying that I won. Sweet! What a lucky kid I was. And so with that, lemme share to you my #BenteSingko experience with my friend @VerJube. 

Sept28, 9pm, the show started with Aiza singing Eraserhead’s’ Alapaap together with the Pogi band & ABS-CBN Orchestra conducted by Gerard Salonga. She also sang her hits and medleys of beautiful songs. Her guests were the people that has been a part of her 25 years in the business. They were The Company, Cookie Chua, Bayang Barrios, Krizza Neri, ASAP Sessionistas, Martin Nievera, Gary V and Vic Sotto.

My favorite part of the concert would have to be Aiza’s duet with Bossing VIc Sotto. I got teary eyed because the two got emotional. Video below by luasuhcnem.

Some celebrities spotted in the concert were Ruby Rodriguez, Pauline Luna, Charo Santos-Concio, Ms. Maricel Soriano and Ms. Sharon Cuneta that serves as a special guest.

The show lasted for 1 hour and 30 mins. After the concert, the ASAP team lead us to the backstage to meet Aiza. We got to meet, greet and had our photo taken with her. We also got to have a photo opp with Bossing!

Over all, that was a fun experience for me. Thank you asap for the media pass! And to @VerJube for joining me.

English singer-songwriter and guitarist James Morrison performs in Manila on October 9, 2012 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. 

JAMES MORRISON achieved worldwide success in 2006 with the release of his debut single “You Give Me Something.” His first album, Undiscovered under MCA Music (Universal Music Philippines), debuted at the top of the UK Album Chart and sold millions of copies, making him the biggest-selling British male solo artist in 2006. The album, which also has the hit singles “Wonderful World,” and “The Pieces Don’t Fit Anymore” won him a BRIT Award in 2007 for Best British Male Solo Artist.

JAMES MORRISON is currently touring to promote his album, The Awakening, released in September 2011 also under MCA Music. As the title of his third and by far best album suggests, The Awakening is the sound of an artist coming of age. In his personal life, Morrison has become a father, while losing his own father after the latter’s long battle with alcoholism and depression. At the same time, Morrison, 26, has matured as a singer, songwriter and musician, enabling him to channel all of that emotion into his most accomplished collection of songs yet. “My first two albums felt like practice shots,” he says, “and now I’ve graduated. In many ways this feels like my first proper album.” Fortunately, The Awakening has turned out to be the album that Morrison always had the potential to make – at last a worthy platform for his extraordinary singing voice. “This time I wasn’t worrying about success at all, and that’s why it was really enjoyable. I didn’t feel I had to go for the big, loud notes all the time – I just sat back and sang how I felt and it all just came flooding out.”

The Awakening is a warm, live-sounding collection of classic but contemporary folk-soul songs. There are musical similarities with Morrison’s debut, but with added panache and self-belief. There are soaring strings, uplifting harmonies, soulful ballads and, in Slave to the Music, a hand-clapping dance floor groover – a new string to his bow. There are nods to Motown, gospel, country and a hint of Latin. Technically, Morrison remains one of the finest white soul singers, equal parts Stevie Wonder and Paul Young. But he is more than just a Big Voice – he sings from the heart. “To me, pop music is just great music that lasts for years,” he says. “Though there is the other side of pop, which is where you have a hit, but then, after it comes out, it never gets heard again. I never wanted to make that sort of music.”

JAMES MORRISON’s albums are out now in CDs exclusively under MCA Music available at Astroplus and Odyssey Music and Video or online via iTunes and www.MyMusicStore.com.ph 

Checkout James Morrison’s The Awakening album sampler here, video by jamesmorrisononline.

Catch James Morrison Live! in Manila on October 9, 2012 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Tickets are available at Ticketnet outlets (911-5555) or the Ticketnet Website www.ticketnet.com.ph. Ticket prices are at: Patron VIP 4770, Patron Regular 3710, Lower Box VIP 3710, Lower Box Regular 3180, Upper Box A 1910 and Upper Box B 850.

“JAMES MORRISON Live! In Manila: The Awakening Tour” is brought to you by Midas Promotions, Dayly Entertainment and Karpos Multimedia. Co-Presented by Jack TV and ETC. Official Residence: EDSA Shangri-La Manila. Media Partners: ABS-CBN, MYX, RX 93.1, Mellow 94.7, 95.5 Pinas FM, 96.3 Easy Rock, Business World, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Pep.ph, ClicktheCity.com, Philstar.com, Inquirer.net, Manila Concert Scene, Philippine Concerts, MyMusicStore.com.ph, WhenInManila.com, Juice.ph and PinoyExchange.com. Special thanks to: MCA Music (Universal Music Philippines), Astroplus and Odyssey Music & Video.

Overexposed World Tour 2012: The Maroon 5 Experience
by Len Armea

Sometimes, we say things we take back later on. I remember a friend asked me if I wasn’t going to watch Maroon 5’s concert the second time they visitManila. “No. I didn’t even watch their first concert. I know some of their songs but I am not a fan,” was what I remember telling my friend.

And then I happened to watch The Voice where Adam Levine, the band’s front man, is one of the coaches. I find him funny, witty and charming not to mention ruggedly handsome so I started listening to Maroon 5’s first three albums and loved it.

When it was announced that they were going here for the third time for their Overexposed World Tour, my sister and I were so eager to watch that we purchased tickets the first day it was released. It turned out to be a good decision because a month after, tickets were sold out.

So last September 18, we found ourselves at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum along with roughly 16,000 Maroon 5 fans who eagerly waited for them to rock the stage.

At around past nine o’clock, Araneta exploded with screams and shrieks from adoring fans as the first few notes of their carrier single “Payphone” from their fourth album “Overexposed” were heard. The jam-packed Araneta was at its feet as Adam Levine came out of the stage together with his band mates James Valentine (rhythm guitar), Mickey Madded (bass), PJ Morton (keyboard), and Matt Flynn (drummer).

Clad in black shirt and jeans, Adam sang Payphone that set the mood for the entire night. It was followed by “Makes Me Wonder” with its intro mashed with Michael Jackson’s “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough”, and “Lucky Strike”.

“We love you so much,Manila! It’s nice to be back!” Adam quipped to the delight of the fans.

The crowd was all the more pumped up as the band performed their old hits like “Sunday Morning,” “If I Never See Your Face Again,” “Won’t Go Home Without You,” “Harder to Breathe,” “Wake Up Call,” “Hand’s All Over,” “Misery” and “This Love.”

For the encore, Adam gave the spotlight to guitarist James Valentine as he sang a White Stripes’ cover “Seven Nations Army” before proceeding to singing the acoustic version of “She Will Be Loved” followed by “Stereo Hearts,” “Daylight,” “Don’t You Want” (The Human League cover) and “Sexy Back” (Justin Timberlake cover).

To end the perfect night, the intro of Moves Like Jagger was playfully mashed with the Korean hit Oppa Gangnam Style which brought the house down!

There was so much energy from start to finish as the throng of fans sang along to every song, dance, beat, and scream to Adam’s every move and basically just having an amazing time.

So if a friend would ask me again if I’m going to watch their concert if Maroon 5 comes back, which Adam promised they would, my answer will be a resounding yes. And certainly we’ll be buying VIP tickets! 

Photos by RP Armea | Photo collage made exclusively by VerJube Photographics.

Take a look at the happenings onstage in Maroon 5’s Overexposed World Tour performing Don’t You Want Me, SexyBack, Gangnam Style and Moves Like Jagger in this video by sanmigsuperdry.

American Idol Live! Tour 2012 brings together on the same stage on the same night the powerhouse cast of 10 new discoveries in the hit reality singing competition in their first Asian engagement following a 45-date US tour that took them to major cities in North America. The Top 10 finalists are expected to perform some of the numbers they did during the four-month talent search, with Jessica Sanchez drawing from her song list that includes, among others, “Change Nothing,” “Stuttering”, “Sweet Dreams” and “I Will Always Love You.” An online post of the tour’s repertoire indicates that Sanchez has seven production numbers and three solo spots.

Filipino fans of the Top 10 finalists in Season 11 of the reality singing show, “American Idol”, are definitely in for a treat this week as Phillip Phillips, Jessica Sanchez, Joshua Ledet, DeAndre Brackensick, Elise Testone, Erika Van Pelt, Hee Jun Han, Skylar Laine, Colton Dixon and Hollie Cavanagh are coming to Manila for a one-night live performance on September 21 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City. The AI superstars will also grace Ayala and Megaworld Lifestyle Malls to promote not only the concert but also their American Idol Highlights albums under MCA Music (Universal Music Philippines). 

Catch your favorite American Idol Top 10 finalists at the following malls: 

19 Sept 2012 - Eastwood City (with Jessica, Elise, DeAndre, Heejun & Erika)

19 Sept 2012  - Glorietta Activity Center (with Phillip, Colton, Joshua, Skylar & Hollie)

20 Sept 2012 - Alabang Town Center (with Jessica, Elise, DeAndre, Heejun & Erika) 

20 Sept 2012 - Venice Piazza McKinley Hill (with Phillip, Colton, Joshua, Skylar & Hollie)

With special guests: Asia’s Acoustic Sweetheart Sabrina and Philippines’ foremost boy band 1:43. Album selling is from 10am onwards. Program starts at 5:00 pm. Buy your AI albums at the Odyssey selling booth and have it signed after the show! 

“American Idol Live! Tour 2012” is produced by Ovation Productions in association with ETC, 2nd Avenue and Jack TV, and with the support of The Philippine Star, Manila Bulletin, BusinessWorld, Inquirer.net, Philstar.com, RJ 100.3 FM, Monster Radio RX 93.1, Mellow 94.7, 97.9 Home Radio and Optima Sign Solutions. Special thanks to: MCA Music (Universal Music Philippines) and Odyssey Music & Video.

Albums of the TOP 10 FINALISTS of AMERICAN IDOL SEASON 11 are available in CDs at Odyssey Music & Video exclusively under MCA Music. 

BENTESINGKO: Aiza Seguerra’s Silver Anniversary Concert
28 Sept 2012 | SMART Araneta Coliseum

Guests: Gary Valenciano, Martin Nievera, The CompanY, Juris, Richard Poon, Princess Velasco, Nyoy Volante, Gloc 9, Bayang Barrios, Cooky Chua

With special guest: Krizza Neri

featuring ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra and Gerard Salonga (Conductor)

Musical Direction by Mike Villegas and Ria Villena-Osorio.

For ticket reservations, call 234-2117

Ticket Prices:

VIP 3,500
PATRON 3,000
LOWERBOX 2,500
UPPERBOX A 750
UPPERBOX B 400
GEN AD 300

Photo courtesy of Aiza Seguerra Facebook fan page.