Normally, a boyband is a group of sing-and-dance, good-looking boys under a collective name. The concert happening at the Araneta Coliseum on April 5 employs a set-up in reverse fashion as The CR3W is obviously way less familiar a name than the individuals in it.
Yet, putting together James Reid, Sam Concepcion, and Billy Crawford is a 3-in-1 mix that should set the stage on fire the moment they stand together —at least to the fascination of their fans who, not surprisingly, are mostly girls anticipating every handsome move.
The organizer-producers, Scratchit and Viva Live, Inc., described The CR3W Live In Concert as featuring “three of the country’s most popular singers, actors, and all-around media personalities.” Or in their separate take, “three of the hottest and most talented male stars in show business today.”
Both are not far from the truth and no exaggeration. All three names ring a bell and have each made a career journey worth-celebrating.
Billy has been a household name since his performing days on the good ol’ “That’s Entertainment,” in one number even grooving to that Duran Duran classic “Wild Boys.” Sam is a persona and theater talent long regarded as a role model for the youth. And then there’s James, the other half of popular loveteam JaDine.
To start at 8:00 pm next Friday, The CR3W is surely a value-for-money spectacle to be rightfully staged at a venue more than big enough and accessibly familiar to the public. The girlish screams to come necessitate an atmosphere spacious enough to accommodate such. Whether it is “the coolest, mood-filled” show the fans can put their bet on depends on the chemistry of the three and the stewardship of director Paul Basinillo.
Billy was quoted as saying, “It’s going be a great, great, great opportunity for us three to actually jive together.”
That’s easier said than done. Like a basketball team, most of the work comes during practices. The players should be seen just having fun doing it together in the actual game.
While egos and status should be left off backstage, it’s good to know the high level of talents to come as one that night. Billy was a one-time teen idol in Europe and has become a Philippine TV fixture through his hosting stints on mainstream shows. He has a new album with a track called “Filipina Girl” that has James singing.
A big and small screen star, James is so far best remembered for Diary Ng Panget and On The Wings Of Love. He is a songwriting producer who recently unloaded a cool duet called “Summer.”
Sam made his mark in musicals, having played Peter Pan and the lead act in I Do Do Bidoo-Bidoo. His voice is heard on the Philpop-winning hit “Dati” as he releases a new ballad called “Bukas Makalawa,” off the soundtrack of Para Sa Broken Hearted movie which he also stars in.
Hearts get unbroken with The CR3W welcoming as guests Yassi Pressman, Coleen Garcia, and Nadine Lustre.
(Tickets are available at TicketNet 911-5555.)