Showing posts with label MCS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MCS. Show all posts
Sunday, 16 December 2012
Friday, 25 May 2012
Title: Pinoys Go Gaga over Gaga
Written by Jamie Ortega
Lady Gaga is just like us. Sure, we aren’t crazily famous; nor do we have outlandish costumes or gazillions of dollars at our disposal. So, how are we like the Grammy Award-winning Popstar? Because just like the rest of the human race even international singing superstars possess feelings and emotions that can easily be hurt. The controversial performer showed just how human she is at the Born This Way Ball concert last May 21 & 22, 2012 as she shed tears while uttering the words, “I am not a creature of your government, Manila,” amid protests to have her concert banned in Manila.
However, more than the controversy surrounding Gaga’s two day show in the country at the newly-opened SM Mall Of Asia Arena, fans flocked in droves to her concert last May 22, 2012 to see Gaga do what she does best-perform her heart out for all her Little Monsters. And perform she did, against the backdrop of a gorgeous medieval castle dubbed as the Kingdom Of Fame complete with long-winding staircases and eerie secret compartments.
After front act German DJ Zedd warmed up the night with his rousing medley of party tunes including Party Rock anthem and I Love To Move It Move it, the Gaga extravaganza was finally kicked off with the Popstar straddling a faux horse. After that undeniably grand entrance Gaga, wearing a flesh-colored Filipiniana costume, together with the rest of her dancers, rode another contraption, this one looking strangely like a vagina.
Leave it up to Gaga to inject controversy and drama into every part of the show, to say that there was “no dull moment” was definitely an understatement! There were moments when the Popstar was straddling a motorcycle, wearing a dress covered in meat, pretending to be chewed up into ground meat in a grinder, etc. Gaga took on a multitude of roles as well, to match each outlandish act. The Popstar played the roles of fashionista, warrior princess, biker chic, sex symbol etc.
During costume changes a floating head hologram would descend from the heavens. Judging by her speeches the hologram was Lady Gaga’s nemesis determined to make life difficult for her. But Gaga, being the fierce performer that she is, is determined to bring out on an amazing performance for her Pinoy Little Monsters. This mini battle played out the entire night.
As for the selection of songs, most of the tunes came from Gaga’s earlier albums The Fame and The Fame Monster which, this writer believes was a good choice, since majority of her hits came from her previous compilations. Although the up tempo tune Born This Way was indeed a very good opening number because of its’ fun melody and very optimistic lyrics which set the tone for the entire evening. Songs Black Jesus + Amen Fashion, Bloody Mary, Bad Romance and the very controversial Judas quickly followed suit.
The concert was chopped into three parts, Act II was made up of Fashion Of His Love, Just Dance, Love Game, Telephone, while Act III consisted of Heavy Metal Lover, Bad Kids, Hair, You And I and Electric Chapel. Act IV, on the other hand, was made up of Americano, Poker Face, and Alejandro. Act V consisted of Paparazzi, Scheure, and the night’s encore was two of Lady Gaga’s most recent hits The Edge Of Glory and Marry The Night.
With its’ eye-popping costumes, breathtaking props, and amazing song and dance numbers, the Born This Way Ball Manila leg was indeed rife with highlights. But the most striking moment was when the Pop Superstar fought back against her critics while donning fishnet stockings and black sexy tights. “All the things that I sing about and the way that I am, my lifestyle, is just part of this one big giant life performance-sized statement of liberation,” she pronounced.
She added, “So many people have been protesting, and it really doesn’t bother me, truly, because I know there has to be change. For all those kids all over the world who take their lives when they’re so young because they feel bullied, or they’re afraid because they’re gay and they don’t want to tell anybody – don’t you think that some of us should f*cking stand up and speak the g*ddamn truth?” That last statement was followed with, "It's not about the music, but about being yourself!" Yes, Lady Gaga is just like us, with her own set of demons that she struggles with everyday. But this writer is sure that, if all those protestors and moral crusaders could see the Born This Way Ball for themselves they would understand that the show is merely about a woman expressing herself the best way she knows how-by writing and performing amazing music.
Celebrities spotted at the event: Cristine Reyes, Rayver Cruz, Giselle Toengi, Grace Lee (minus PNoy), Divine Lee, Victor Basa, fashion designer Rajo Laurel, etc.
Sunday, 20 May 2012
Title: Backtrack with The Fray
Written by Jho Mariano
Edited by Jamie Ortega
Learn about The Fray’s journey to musical superstardom in this MCS Exclusive article.
You must admit-there’s just something so undeniably endearing about a band who has no qualms about baring their heart and soul with their music. Men, as a species, don’t give in to their emotions easily, but when talented guy musicians do, they produce songs that people cherish for years.
Meet Denver- based quartet The Fray. With their authentic sounds and sincere lyrics, there’s no denying how Isaac Slade, Joe King, David Welsh and Ben Wysocki can tug at their fan’s heartstrings with songs like How To Save A Life, Over My Head (Cable Car), etc. Songs like these possess the power to evoke fresh or even long buried emotions of love, heartbreak, and everything in between. Before catching their concert on June 21, 2012 at SM Mall Of Asia Arena, let’s take a walk down memory lane and relive the band’s rise to success.
Like many great things the formation of the band started with small beginnings. Former schoolmates Isaac Slade and Joe King bumped into each other at a local music store in 2002, erstwhile signaling the start of their jam sessions. The duo was later joined by Zach Johnson and Slade’s younger brother, Caleb. Caleb’s departure from the band inspired the group’s first hit single “Over My Head (Cable Car).” Johnson followed suit, permanently leaving the band to attend an art school in New York. In 2002, the group released the “Movement EP,” which was followed by another musical offering, the Reason EP, the very next year. The band struck gold with Reason EP, garnering critical and local acclaim. with a local publication called Westword naming them the Best New Band of 2004.
You could definitely say that 2003 was a major year for the band because, aside from the fact that it made people sit up and take notice of their music, it also marked the entry of two more members, Dave Welsh and Ben Wysocki. After years of trying to get their music out in the market, a record deal with Epic Records materialized in December of 2004.
Musicians aspire for two things- to release their own record and tour with musicians they admire, The Fray achieved that second dream the following summer as they toured alongside bands “Weezer” and “Ben Folds.” They went back to making music in September 2005, finally releasing their debut album “How to Save a Life.” Their first single “Over My Head (Cable Car)” off the album reached number 8 in the Top 40 chart status. The Fray released their album’s title track and was profoundly used in an advertising campaign for the hit TV series “Grey’s Anatomy.” Their single “How to Save a Life” became one of 2006’s biggest singles and a world-wide hit.
In July 2006, The Fray took their music one notch higher by releasing a live album “Live at the Electric Factory: Bootleg No. In September 2007, they released another live album “Acoustic in Nashville: Bootleg No. 2.” The next month, they re-released their “Reason EP” while continuing to tour, intermittently playing new songs at their shows.
Late 2008, the band returned to the studio to record their second album “The Fray” which was released in early 2009. The lead single of the album, “You Found Me” climbed to number 7 in various music-related countdowns.
For their third album Scars And Stories the group decided to tweak their songs a little bit to create a “larger sound”. The compilation was inspired by the band’s Rwanda and Germany expeditions and produced by music heavyweight Brendan Brian. In an interview on Billboard magazine the band fondly looked back at their 10 years in the music industry. Isaac revealed that the group cane to a point where they felt they couldn’t “make it”. “Ten years ago we wanted to quit our jobs. Joe was working at an auto body shop. I had a little gig at a coffee shop and was still at my parents' house. My girlfriend at the time, who finally agreed to marry me, confessed years later that she never thought we'd actually make it. She thought it would be a phase, like, 'Oh yeah, Isaac's band phase ...' Then, two years into it, she started getting the sense that we were going to be doing this for awhile. You know, there are hard parts to it, but, by and large, it's the best job we've ever had. It's a dream job.”
Don’t miss The Fray Live in Manila on June 21, 2012 at the Mall of Asia Arena! Call SM Tickets: 470-2222 or visit www.smtickets.com for ticket inquiries and reservations. Proudly presented by Dayly Entertainment and That’s NTertainment Productions
Saturday, 19 May 2012
Title: MCS Exclusive: How It All Started with Lifehouse
Written by Jho Mariano
Edited by Jamie Ortega
Lifehouse is a Los Angeles-based alternative band formed during the early 2000s headed by singer/songwriter Jason Wade (lead vocals/rhythm guitar), with Rick Woolstenhulme (drums/percussion), Bryce Soderberg (bassist/backup vocals), and Ben Carey (lead guitar).
With all the unanticipated success that welcomed the band, they were soon back in the studio making a follow-up album. With Brendan O’Brien as the producer, Wade headed his band in recording ‘Stanley Climbfall’ during spring and summer of 2002. It was released by DreamWorks in September of the same year but did not quite reach the same level as’ its predecessor. Shortly after the album debuted, Rick's brother Sean Woolstenhulme (of ‘The Calling’) officially became the fourth member of the band in June 2002. In 2004, Andrade left the group to pursue a different path. Right after he left, Sean also left the band to pursue other musical projects.
Written by Jho Mariano
Edited by Jamie Ortega
Get to know the boys behind the phenomenal hits You And I and Hanging By A Moment as we backtrack Lifehouse’s humble beginnings. Once dubbed as a Christian band, their music never fails to touch the recesses of their fan’s soul with the group’s heart-wrenching lyrics and smooth melodies. How did they get to where they are now? Find out below.
Lifehouse is a Los Angeles-based alternative band formed during the early 2000s headed by singer/songwriter Jason Wade (lead vocals/rhythm guitar), with Rick Woolstenhulme (drums/percussion), Bryce Soderberg (bassist/backup vocals), and Ben Carey (lead guitar).Wade was raised by a missionary couple who were travelling most of the time. He showed an interest in songwriting when he and his mother settled in Los Angeles and formed a band named ‘Blyss’ in 1996. Having Sergio Andrade, bassist, as his neighbor, they spent hours in Wade’s garage writing songs and making music that would be the backbone of Lifehouse’s signature sound.In 1999, all their hard work resulted UB a self-released album, ‘Diff’s Lucky Day,’ including series of shows at church and worship services. However, Lifehouse didn’t want to be known as a Christian band. They signed a contract with DreamWorks Records labeling themselves as an alternative rock trio after adding drummer Jon Palmer as their third member.
Lifehouse released their official debut album, ‘No Name Face,’ in the autumn of 2000. It reached double-platinum sales. One of its’ most successful singles in the album was ‘Hanging by a Moment’ as its highlight, which also became the most played radio track of 2001. Shortly after recording the first album, Rick Woolstenhulme, Jr. replaced Palmer on drums.
With all the unanticipated success that welcomed the band, they were soon back in the studio making a follow-up album. With Brendan O’Brien as the producer, Wade headed his band in recording ‘Stanley Climbfall’ during spring and summer of 2002. It was released by DreamWorks in September of the same year but did not quite reach the same level as’ its predecessor. Shortly after the album debuted, Rick's brother Sean Woolstenhulme (of ‘The Calling’) officially became the fourth member of the band in June 2002. In 2004, Andrade left the group to pursue a different path. Right after he left, Sean also left the band to pursue other musical projects.Wade reformed Lifehouse and was back in early 2005 with a self-titled third album, followed by several tour dates as a result of its’ success. Lifehouse also reintroduced their line-up with Jason Wade (lead vocals/rhythm guitar), Rick Woolstenhulme (drums/percussion), adding a new member, Bryce Soderberg (former AM Radio), as Lifehouse’s bassist/vocals.
In 2007, the band released their fourth album, ‘Who We Are,’ a compilation well-received by ther fans.. Their third and fourth album went gold thanks to their songs ‘First Time,’ ‘You and Me,’ and ‘Whatever It Takes,’ which reached the Top 40.In July 2008, Lifehouse performed live at the Araneta Coliseum in Manila, Philippines. The band performed 16 songs to thousands of their Filipino fans. In April 2009, the band made another announcement in relation to their line-up, they declared Ben Carey as an official member of Lifehouse. They said that they had been "a four-piece for some time" and that Ben is "family to us." Carey had been touring with the band since 2004.
A fifth album, “Smoke & Mirrors,” was released three years later with its’ leadoff single “Halfway Gone” in collaboration with rapper/songwriter Kevin Rudolf. In August 2011, Lifehouse announced on their official Facebook page that they will be working on their sixth studio album. Before we get to hear the awesome music that this band will surely be creating go see them live on May 26 at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Yes, after 4 long years of waiting, Lifehouse is back in the country! Catch them live as Dayly Entertainment proudly “LIFEHOUSE LIVE IN MANILA!” at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum on May 26, 2012! Call TicketNet at 911-5555 for ticket inquiries and reservations.
Friday, 4 May 2012
Title: Jay Park on New Breed, Manila, and the kind of girl he’d want to date
Written by Jamie Ortega
Photos by Kevin Pableo
Jay Park is back and ready to take on Manila! Pop superstar Jay Park will be in the Philippines from May 4 to May 6 to promote his newest full-length album NEW BREED under MCA Music (Universal Music Philippines). New Breed showcases a new and completely transformed Jay Park with it’s 15 tracks made up of an enticing fusion of dance, electronic hip hop and Euro dance. Listen to the title track Know Your Name and you’ll definitely know what we we’re talking about, as the song effortlessly takes the listener on a hypnotic journey with it’s compelling lyrics and catchy chorus.
Be part of the Jay Park fever; catch him live at the following venues: May 4 (Friday), 7pm at Eastwood Mall Open Park; May 5 (Saturday), 7pm at Venice Piazza at McKinley Hill and May 6 (Sunday), 4pm at Lucky Chinatown Mall which are Metro Manila’s premier themed lifestyle centers, owned by Megaworld Corporation. 10 lucky Manila Concert Scene fans will get a chance to meet the idol turned musician for themselves, keep visiting our Twitter page and keep following our Facebook fan page for more details! MCS just watched the Eastwood show and believe us when we tell you guys you are in for a treat! He is an awesome dancer, he can beatbox like it’s nobody’s business, see it to believe it!
Because we want to give our dear Manila Concert Scene fans only the best and the latest in the concert scene, here is our EXCLUSIVE interview with the handsome and friendly pop superstar:
Did you like any specific tracks in New Breed?
I liked all the tracks to be honest because I produced the album. They are all very dear to me like my children, maybe Know Your Name, I like I Got Your Back, Know Your Name, it’s the title track and I thought a lot of people would like it. And I Got Your Back because it’s a powerful song with a positive message.
Pinoys seem to love you, what can you say about that?
Oh, yeah, yeah, it’s crazy that I don’t come to the Philippines that often but they treat me in a warm way and I really appreciate it.
Why did you name your New Breed?
The reason why I named it New Breed, there’s no other album like it, I am a New Breed of artist and it is kind of hard to find a musician who can give a variety of music hiphop, R and B, there is a lot of versatility in the album.
What is it about the album that you think Filipinas would like or enjoy listening to?
I don’t know about a specific country that would like the album, but whoever likes hip hop and R and B will like the album.
What was your experience like producing the album?
Oh, definitely, I didn’t know I was producing the album, I was just talking to people, emailing people, putting the album together, I learned a lot from it. I got better at rapping, singing, recording, better at putting together an album.
Do you know of any Filipino singers or musicians?
Yeah definitely Charice I just know a lot of music guys like JR Aquino, I know a lot of Filipino choreographers. Ive got a couple of Filipino friends, yes.
Where do you get the inspiration for your songs?
Some of it is like imagination, I try to create stories, some of it is other people’s experiences.
What qualities are you looking for in a potential girlfriend?
I just like a cool, chill girl, sense of humor, natural, with a nice smile.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
