The country’s premier rock stars Bamboo and Arnel Pineda were the first local artists to stage live shows in the United States since live events were canceled due to pandemic-related protocols.
The duo shared the concert stage for three live events produced by Spotlight Media Entertainment.
Dubbed First Light, the concert’s first leg was on Sept. 17 at Sams Town Center Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, then it traveled to San Jose, California for another one-night affair on Sept. 25 at San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, and finally on Oct. 1 at Snoqualmie Casino in Seattle.
“We have been in lockdown for more than one year and a half, and people are eager to go out now. They are excited to go back to work and watch live shows. And I’m extremely happy that all three shows were sold out,” Pen De Leon Manahan, better known as Ms. M, of Spotlight Media Entertainment, told Manila Standard Entertainment in a virtual junket.
“The concert tickets, especially the VIPs, were sold out the moment we announced it. I didn’t expect it to be so successful. I can’t believe there were foreigners watching the show,” Manahan added.
Asked if she would take First Light shows to the Philippines, Manahan said that her team must look into this possibility first.
“There are still travel restrictions in the Philippines. We are also planning to stage the shows in other countries,” she answered.
The concert producer, who has been in the US for more than 22 years, said that part of the proceeds will be used to help Filipinos back in the Philippines recover from the current situation.
“We have to keep strong and positive during these trying times. We can’t stop doing what we’re passionate about. I’ve always been passionate about bringing great entertainment to everyone while giving opportunities to Filipino artists to showcase their incomparable talents here in the US and growing my business at the same time. It’s the circle of life. We all need to help each other rise, especially during a storm. We all need to keep the faith,” Ms. M related highlighting the reason why she wanted to continue producing concerts amid the pandemic.
Arnel Pineda rose to international fame when his talent at singing the Journey’s hit songs was discovered on YouTube. He was then invited to join the iconic rock band in 2017 to replace its American frontman Steve Perry who had left the group.
Pineda has since been performing with the Journey while maintaining a solo career and keeping his ties to the Philippines with concerts and charity events.
Bamboo Mañalac is a popular musician in the OPM scene with a long string of hits as the frontman of his first band, Rivermaya, and his own group, Bamboo.