What's in for CEBU concert scene?

The local concert scene last month during Sinulog week must have caused Cebuanos dizzy spells what with the number of artists to choose from. Given the schedule, I was only able to attend two concerts (which, by the way, deserve a repeat): the Pops Fernandez and Martin Nievera reunion show and Dr. Jose R. Gullas' Halad 2010 that featured the powerhouse all-Cebuano cast of Pilita Corrales, Dulce, and Raki Vega together with the multi-awarded University of the Visayas Chorale. 

But, the Sinulog concerts were just the opening salvo of what promises to be another concert-filled year for Cebu, featuring international acts no less. 

For me, 2009 already delivered the most impressive line-up in my roughly 5 years of covering the entertainment scene. I'm saying this because some years back, it was a running joke among us in the media that we had to wait for a lifetime (or wait for them to turn into "legends") before we could actually see our favorite foreign concert artists in Cebu. 

Now, 2009 gave us the Libera Boys Choir through the efforts of the Arts Council of Cebu. I had a good idea of how big a deal they are in the classical concert circuit, but I realized the magnitude of their presence when some fans from Japan and from some Southeast Asian countries came flying to Cebu to just watch them perform. Much to the surprise of the more senior attendees, the talented and charming British youngsters also wielded a sort of Jonas Brothers effect as tweens in the audience broke into squeals song after song.

Another dream come true came in the form of the Boyz II Men, whose songs became the anthems of those who grew up and, ahem, fell in love in the 90s. It was brought to Cebu by 3Some Productions, which I learned is also responsible for the forthcoming pre-Valentine concert of David Pomeranz and ZsaZsa Padilla.

There's still a lot of names to tick off in my wishlist, but things are definitely looking up. And I'm becoming more convinced that 2010 is going to give us a much more exciting concert scene, especially with tonight's MUSICFEST 2010 of Fearless Productions at SM City Cebu, which is headlined no less by reigning American Idol champ Kris Allen.

To recall, Kris is not the first AI alum to swing by Cebu, as we had runners-up Elliot Yamin and Constantine Maroulis in 2008 and 2007, respectively, for shows at Ayala Center Cebu. Back then, to have the actual winner in our shores seemed like the remotest possibility, but well, what do you know?

And here's more good news: I also learned from an SM City Cebu official that beginning this year, the mall hopes to bring an international artist per quarter.   

Yesterday, I was fortunate to have one-on-one interviews with the still very unassuming Kris Allen, as well as the concert's other performers, the YouTube hit band Boyce Avenue, which is made up of the good-looking Manzano Brothers (not related to the Manzanos of Philippine showbiz, the group quipped) and the red-hot dance crew Jabbawockeez. The latter has four Fil-Ams as members, one of whom has roots in the neigboring island of Siquijor. Based on our interviews, they are all psyched up to rock and roll, and give us a concert that Cebu will never forget ever.