A Disappointing Night With Michael Bolton

I'm not sure if it was the acoustics of Solaire Theatre or if the volume of Michael's microphone was not so loud, but something was amiss during Michael Bolton's concert last night.

His voice was not that booming or loud enough to really egg on the audience to cheer for him or his performance last night. It's understandable though that his voice must have lost some of its power considering that in a few years, he would already be 60.

We have seen him perform before in Bangkok ten years ago, and we had so much fun in that concert, we knew would be watching him again if he came back to Asia. The reunion though was a bit disappointing, that we were worried that this was how the audience would also treat Madonna, if she does come here next year.

He delivered a solid setlist though which included all of his hits over the decade that he was very popular. He sang (along with Amanda Brown) all his popular hits and it would've been really a great night, except that his voice lacked the power already.

Vic even said, maybe he didn't vocalize before the show, but knowing that he is doing a tour, his voice would've been very strong right now and very assured.

Oh well, sana we got the cheapest tickets na lang. Buti pa the Boyzone concert, we got the cheapest tickets but we felt we got VIP treatment!

Maroon 5's Sugar Winding Down

Maroon 5 has eleven top 10 hits in the US.  Three of them went all the way to #1.

2004 - This Love (#5)

2004 - She Will Be Loved (#5)

2007 - Makes Me Wonder (#1)

2011 - Moves Like Jagger (with Christina Aguilera) (#1)

2012 - Payphone (with Wiz Khalifa) (#2)

2012 - One More Night (#1)

2012 - Daylight (#7)

2013 - Love Somebody (#10)

2014 - Maps (#6)

2014 - Animals (#3)

2015 - Sugar (#2)

In the UK, the band has eight top 10 songs, with one number one song.

Here are their Top 10 hits in the UK -

2003 - This Love (#3)

2004 - She Will Be Loved (#4)

2007 - Makes Me Wonder (#2)

2011 - Moves Like Jagger (with Christina Aguilera) (#2)

2012 - Payphone (with Wiz Khalifa) (#1)

2012 - One More Night (#8)

2014 - Maps (#2)

2015 - Sugar (#7)

They also have five top 10 albums in the UK.  Two of them went all the way to #1.

2002- Songs About Jane (#1)

2007 - It Won't Be Soon For Long (#1)

2010 - Hands All Over (#6)

2012 - Overexposed (#2)

2014 - V (#4)

They also have the same five top 10 albums in the US with two of them, also going to #1.

2002- Songs About Jane (#6)

2007 - It Won't Be Soon For Long (#1)

2010 - Hands All Over (#2)

2012 - Overexposed (#2)

2014 - V (#1)

T-Wayne

American rapper T-Wayne has one top 10 hit in the US.

2015 - Nasty Freestyle (#9)

My Weekly Top 10: May 29, 2015 #1 Madonna - Rebel Heart

This is one of my favorite songs from Madonna's latest album.  Interestingly, it is the title track from that album!  Rebel Heart becomes Madonna's 97th top 10 hit in my personal countdown as well as her 69th #1!  This is the first number one song from her latest album, Rebel Heart

My Weekly Top 10: May 29, 2015 #2 Christine and the Queens - Christine

Once in a while, a foreign language song enters my personal countdown.  Christine and the Queens 'Christine' is that song for 2015.  The song is already at #2 and should go higher.

My Weekly Top 10 May 29, 2015: #3 Kylie Minogue - Mr. President

I discovered this song by accident as it was performed by one of the drag queens in Bed Manila during their Kylie Minogue marathon two Fridays ago.  I wasn't able to buy the extended version of her last album, Kiss Me Once. but anyhow, the first time I heard this song, I fell in love with it already!  The drag queen who did this song also did a great job!

My Weekly Top 10 May 29, 2015: #4 Kendrick Lamar feat. MC Eiht - M.A.A.D. City

I discovered this song last year as I listened to Kendrick Lamar's fantastic album of the same title, M.A.A.D. City.  I heard that he has released a new album.  I will buy that soon but for now, let me enjoy first his songs from this album.

The title track moves up this week to #4.  MC Eiht is also featured in this track.  It's also his first appearance in my personal countdown.

My Weekly Top 10: May 29, 2015 - #5 Anita Baker - In My Heart

Because I gave her 2004 album My Everything a spin a few weeks ago, Anita Baker returns to my personal countdown, with her 17th top 10 hit in In My Heart, which this week, continues to climb to #5.


 

My Weekly Top 10 May 29, 2015: #6 Sia - Big Girls Cry

Sia's fourth top 20 hit in my personal countdown, Big Girls Cry, moves up this week to #6.  She had the top song of 2014 in my personal countdown, Chandelier.

My Weekly Top 10: May 29, 2015 - #7 Kylie Minogue - Crystallize

Because I attended the Kylie Minogue marathon a few weeks ago in Bed Manila, I was able to discover two new songs from her.  The first one, Crystallize, moves up from #9 to #7 this week, marking her 24th top 10 hit in my personal countdown.

My Weekly Top 10: May 29, 2015 #8 Ellie Goulding - Love Me Like You Do

We are currently dancing to this song in my Hip Hop Class with Carlo, that's the reason why this song is suddenly getting some major airplay in my Ipod. I really like how our steps flow into the song. It's "stress-less" hip hop. I first heard this song in the controversial movie Fifty Shades of Grey which I think really fits perfectly in the movie.

 

My Weekly Top 10 May 29, 2015: #9 Kings of Leon - Supersoaker

Kings of Leon gets their 4th top 10 hit in my personal countdown this week, as Supersoaker, debuts at #10.  The band's first three hits went all the way to #1.  I bought their album Mechanical Bull a few weeks ago.

My Weekly Top 10 May 29, 2015: #10 Boyzone - Ruby

The Irish boy band, Boyzone, gets their third top 10 hit in my personal countdown, as Ruby, debuts at #10. The band performed this song during their show here in Manila this week.


 

Boyzone

The Irish boy band, Boyzone has three top 10 hits in my personal countdown.  One of them went all the way to #1.

1994 - Love Me For A Reason (#5)

1997 - Picture of You (#1)

2015 - Ruby (#10)

Setlist for Imagine Dragons Concert Here in Manila

The concert of Imagine Dragons here in Manila is one of my most-awaited shows for 2015.  I really love this band and I'm very excited to see them!  Here is their setlist for their Manila show -

1. Shots 
2. Trouble 
3. It's Time 
4. Forever Young 
   (Alphaville cover)
5. Smoke and Mirrors 
6. Polaroid 
7. I'm So Sorry 
8. Summer 
9. Gold 
10. Bleeding Out / Warriors 
11. Demons 
12. On Top of the World 
13. Cielito lindo 
    (Quirino Mendoza y Cortés cover)
14. Friction 
15. Amsterdam 
    (With a part of Tiptoe)
16. Release 
17. Hopeless Opus 
18. I Bet My Life 
19. Radioactive 
20. Encore:
20. The Fall 

Idina Menzel Manila Concert Setlist

It's going to be a busy weekend next weekend as two acts are performing here in Manila.  Pentatonix will be at the Araneta Coliseum on June 6 while Idina Menzel will perform at the SM MOA Arena on June 7.  Here is the setlist that Idina Menzel will likely perform.

1. Defying Gravity 
   (Kristin Chenoweth & Idina Menzel cover)
2. Brave 
3. Love for Sale / Roxanne 
   (The Police cover)
4. No Day But Today 
5. Both Sides, Now 
   (Joni Mitchell cover)
6. There's No Business Like Show Business / Anything Goes / Everything's Coming Up Roses 
7. Creep 
   (Radiohead cover)
8. I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For / In Your Eyes 
   (Peter Gabriel cover)
9. Take Me or Leave Me 
   (with audience members)
10. Always Starting Over 
11. God Save My Soul 
12. Still I Can't Be Still 
13. December Prayer 
14. For Good 
    (a cappella)
15. Let It Go 
16. Encore:
16. You Learn To Live Without 
17. Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye 
    (Cole Porter cover)
18. I'll Be Seeing You 

Setlist for Pentatonix Concert in Manila

The popular acapella group Pentatonix is having a show in Manila next weekend, and I'm pretty excited to see them!  Here is their setlist for their Manila show!

1. Intro/Mashup 
2. Problem 
   (Ariana Grande cover)
3. Beyonce Medley 
4. Telephone 
   (Lady Gaga cover)
5. La La Latch 
6. Love You Long Time 
7. Rather Be 
8. PTX Story Moment 
9. Julie-O 
10. Papaoutai 
11. Opera Moment 
12. Aha! 
    (Imogen Heap cover)
13. Four Five Seconds 
14. Uptown Funk/Let's Get It On 
15. Evolution of Music 
16. Standing By 
17. On My Way Home 
18. That's Christmas to Me 
19. Daft Punk 

The Mysterious Hunky Fourth Guy in the Boyzone Concert

Last night, as Jen and I were trying to compare who among the Boyzone boys transformed the most these past 20 years, the fourth guy who appeared onstage seemed out of place as he didn't seem to age at all, and looked as hunky and hot as he was 20 years ago!

Remembering Stephen Gately During the Boyzone Concert

What's a Boyzone concert without a tribute to Stephen Gately, whose sudden death in 2009 shook the pop world! There were even allegations of drug use and an unhealthy lifestyle stemming from Stephen's homosexuality, which a columnist unfairly insinuated in a widely reviled article. A firestorm of criticism followed and hounded the columnist against allegations of homophobia.

Most importantly, Stephen's band mates and management stood solidly behind him and shot down all those allegations as untrue and unfair - especially that Stephen was already six feet under and couldn't defend himself.

Last night though, any Boyzone fan did surely miss Stephen's distinctive vocals, as he sang an integral part into many of the boy band's hits. They kept his memory alive as they asked their lady back-up singer to perform No Matter What with them, a song where Stephen's voice figures prominently.

Ronan Keating: Still Dapper After All These Years - and Sounds Good Too!

Zayn Malik can take a lesson or two from Ronan Keating who, in his late 30s, has wisely built for himself two streams of income - one, as a member of a worldwide known boy band, and second, as a solo artist who can command a show all his own.  Sometimes, young people forget that they will also grow old and that their youth will fade, and it would be wise not to bite the hand that feeds you.

Ronan even had an Asian tour a few years ago (he did not pass Manila, but went to SG instead) to promote his last album, Fires.

Better than that, Ronan has maintained his voice, even after 22 years of performing, and he proved that last night, as we began to realize how sorely missed Stephen Gately was, when all the guys had to do their vocals together.  

I guess God had a reason why He put all you five guys together as a boy band group and how your voices sound well together is one of the major reasons why a particular boy band clicks with the masses!

Ronan has also taken care of his looks and although he has allowed age and maturity to etch themselves on his face, he was the easiest guy to identify when you match how they looked twenty years ago - as to how they look now that they were performing onstage.  

Our running joke was, one became Pavarotti, the other one turned into Vanilla Ice, while the third one became the real eye candy in the group!

The Boys of Boyzone Transform into 90s Icons after Twenty-Two Years!

Not only did we have Boyzone last night, we also had Luciano Pavarotti and Vanilla Ice onstage! It took us two hours to figure out who became who in a matter of 22 years! It was truly an all 90s reunion as well!

My Weekly Top 10: May 22, 2015 #1 ARYAY - The Lawnmower

ARYAY's The Lawnmower is my most favorite track from the latest Body Jam 72 release.  I love the steps given to it as well.

ARYAY

Aryay has one #1 hit in my personal countdown. This song was included in Body Jam 72, and it's the only #1 song from that release.

2015 - The Lawnmower (#1)

My Weekly Top 10: May 22, 2015 #2 Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars - Uptown Funk

It takes me sometime now to get into the music that young kids are listening to.  However, sometimes I get gems like this one from Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars.

Mark Ronson

Mark Ronson has two top 10 hits in my personal countdown.

2007 - Valerie (with Amy Winehouse) (#1)

2015 - Uptown Funk (with Bruno Mars) (#2)

MC Eiht

Rapper MC Eiht has one top 10 hit in my personal countdown. His collaboration with Kendrick Lamar, M.A.A.D. City, moves up to #6 this wee.

Ellie Goulding

British songstress Ellie Goulding has four top 10 hits in my personal countdown.

2013 - Burn (#5)

2014 - Explosions (#3)

2014 - How Long Will I Love You (#7)

2015 - Love Me Like You Do (#8)

Setlist for Michael Bolton's Concert in Manila

The last time I saw Michael Bolton was ten years ago in Bangkok. It was a show that I enjoyed the most.  I am quite excited to see him perform again.  I actually like this setlist that he has prepared for this show.

1. Go the Distance 
   (Partial, Sung Offstage)
2. To Love Somebody 
   (Bee Gees cover)
3. (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay 
   (Otis Redding cover)
4. Said I Loved You...but I Lied 
5. You Don't Know Me 
   (Eddy Arnold cover)
6. Sweet Home Chicago 
   (Robert Johnson cover)
7. To Make You Feel My Love 
   (Billy Joel cover) (With Amanda Brown)
8. How Am I Supposed to Live Without You 
   (With Amanda Brown)
9. Ain't No Mountain High Enough 
   (Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell cover) (With Amanda Brown)
10. The Prayer 
    (Céline Dion cover) (With Amanda Brown)
11. Nessun dorma 
    (Luciano Pavarotti cover)
12. You Are So Beautiful 
    (Billy Preston cover) (Instrumental, band only)
13. When a Man Loves a Woman 
    (Percy Sledge cover)
14. How Can We Be Lovers 
15. Time, Love & Tenderness 
16. Encore:
16. Georgia on My Mind