Regine Rocks
Concert by Regine Velasquez
A poster of Regine Rocks, a concert by Regine Velasquez
Promotional poster for the concert
LocationPasay, Metro Manila, Philippines
VenueMall of Asia Arena
Start dateNovember 25, 2023 (2023-11-25)
End dateApril 19, 2024 (2024-04-19)
No. of shows2
Regine Velasquez concert chronology

Regine Rocks was an arena concert by Filipino singer Regine Velasquez. It was announced on April 29, 2023, and held on November 25, 2023, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. The show was conceived as a celebration of Velasquez's 35th anniversary since her professional debut, and was promoted as the lead-up event following her concert residency Solo at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater, which ran from February to April. The concert's premise stems from Velasquez's desire to perform rock music and elements of subgenres such as pop rock, and slow rock. The show spans over 2.5 hours, with a set list of 33 songs, including music from artists such as Aerosmith, Guns N' Roses Jon Bon Jovi, Led Zeppelin, Nirvana, Queen, Radiohead, and the Rolling Stones.

The concert was exclusively promoted by iMusic Entertainment, with ticket sales handled by SM Tickets. Paolo Valenciano and Cacai Mitra served as stage directors, while Raul Mitra was the musical director. Yeng Constantino, Klarisse de Guzman, Morissette, and Jona Viray performed as guest acts. Regine Rocks received generally positive reviews from music critics, with particular praise for the production value and artistic direction, as well as Velasquez's showmanship and vocal performance. A second show is scheduled to be held on April 19, 2024.

Background and development

The development of Regine Rocks began after Regine Velasquez staged her concert residency, titled Solo, at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater. She performed six shows that commenced on February 17, 2023, which marked as a celebration of the 35th anniversary of her professional debut.[1][2][3] On April 29, at the conclusion of Solo, Velasquez announced that she would headline a culminating concert on November 25.[3] She has previously performed anniversary shows celebrating her 20th, 25th, and 30th career milestones: Twenty staged at the Araneta Coliseum in 2006, Silver in 2012, and R3.0 in 2017, the latter two held at the Mall of Asia Arena.[4][5][6]

On May 19, 2023, Velasquez revealed through ABS-CBNnews.com the official title Regine Rocks, describing it as a "repertoire consisting entirely of rock tunes".[7] She first announced that it will be held at the Mall of Asia Arena through her social media accounts on August 31. The promotional poster depicted a portrait of Velasquez's head shot in white monochrome.[8] The concert was exclusively promoted by iMusic Entertainment,[8] with Paolo Valenciano and Cacai Mitra as stage directors, while Raul Mitra was tapped as musical director. Tickets for the show went on sale for the general public on September 16 and was handled by SM Tickets. The prices for the tickets were from ₱840 to ₱13,440.[9] The Philippine Star has described it as Velasquez's first rock-themed show,[10] while the Philippine Daily Inquirer previewed that she would perform songs from music acts such as Jon Bon Jovi, Led Zeppelin, and Queen.[11]

The production consists of LED screens, smoke machines, light beams, coordinated light sticks, and pyrotechnics.

Valenciano described the idea of the concert, "It was conceptualized by both Regine and Cacai ... it was something that they wanted to do since before the pandemic."[12] He added that the show's name and concept were based on Velasquez's desire to explore rock music,[12] seeking to perform material from several subgenres such as pop rock and slow rock, including some of her songs that will be transformed into a rock-oriented production.[8][12] Viewing it as an opportunity to challenge herself, Velasquez aimed to create a live experience for concertgoers completely different from what she has done in the past.[13] With Regine Rocks, she collaborated on song selection with Cacai, Raul, and Valenciano. They initially came up with 40 song titles, which was eventually reduced.[12] Raul, who was in charge of music direction and a longtime collaborator, called it a "dream project" for Velasquez.[14] She claimed that preparing for the show fueled her artistry: "It's how the songs hit you, how you interpret them, how they make you feel—that's rock ... I'm a balladeer, but I just realized that rock suits me. I never imagined I'd be a rock singer."[11]

The staging consists of a main stage with several digital displays connected by a broad rectangular ramp. It is equipped with a hydraulic platform that moves from the main stage towards the center of the ramp.[15][12][16] Enzo Pizarro was in charge of the stage design and described the LED screen layout as heavily inspired by a vortex.[15] Valenciano's objective was "to make everyone feel like Regine was in her prime, just by the stage design", drawing comparison to Velasquez's concert residency, Solo, which he described as "more minimalist".[12] The set featured pyrotechnics, laser lights, smoke machines, and infrared-controlled light sticks.[16][17] Nico Faustino was in charge of camera direction, while Mandy Marcos was the assistant stage director. GA Fallarme served as the visual designer, with Dominique Gallardo as the lighting director.[15] During the show, Velasquez invited special guest performers, including Yeng Constantino, Klarisse de Guzman, Morissette, and Jona Viray.[18] On December 6, 2023, a second show was announced to take place on April 19, 2024 in the same venue.[19]

Concert synopsis

Regine Rocks is over two hours and 30 minutes long.[14] The concert opened with Velasquez, in a black bodysuit and metallic blazer, descending from an iron throne-inspired platform and singing excerpts from Queen's "Who Wants to Live Forever" (1986). Accompanied by dancers, she continued with a medley of the British rock band's hits. She transitioned to a Jon Bon Jovi tribute number, followed by Guns N' Roses's "Sweet Child o' Mine" (1988). She then delivered a welcome note, before playing Sampaguita's "Bonggahan" (1978). Imago's "Sundo" (2006) and Kitchie Nadal's "Huwag Na Huwag Mong Sasabihin" (2004), two songs from Filipino female rock artists, were performed. For "Hawak Kamay", Velasquez was joined by Yeng Constantino at the mid-stage. She sat at the elevated platform with a staircase on the main stage for a stripped-down rendition of the Eraserheads's 1996 song "Ang Huling El Bimbo". The segment concluded with her cover of Radiohead's debut single "Creep" (1992).[14][18][16]

The second act began with an overture and operatic choir performance, as Velasquez reemerged in a black layered leather skirt with a silver chain top and delivered a rendition of the Rolling Stones's 1966 single Paint It Black. She was then joined by her dancers and sang her cover single "Call Me" (1980). Then, Velasquez spoke briefly about who she considered as "one of the greatest female pop-rock groups" in music, American rock band Heart. To honor them, she performed a medley of their songs alongside Klarisse de Guzman, Morissette, and Jona Viray. She followed this with pop-rock anthems: Alanis Morissette's "You Oughta Know" (1995) and 4 Non Blondes's "What's Up? (1993). Moving to the main stage, Velasquez ended the act with the 1977 song "Hotel California" from Eagles.[14][18][16]

Velasquez changed to a tiered tartan skirt and commenced the last act with Paramore's "The Only Exception", which she dedicated to her husband. Shortly after, she performed her covers of "Fix You" (2005) by Coldplay, "Smells Like Teen Spirit" (1991) by Nirvana, and "Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)" (1983) by Journey. The set list continued with a rock-arranged rendition of Velasquez's 1995 single "You've Made Me Stronger". The audience participated as they stood and waved their light sticks during the production. Wearing a ruffled skirt, she then sang Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven" (1971). A mash-up of Aerosmith's "Dream On" (1973) and "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" (1998) were performed, as Velasquez returns atop the iron-throne platform and is lifted above the stage with a brief pyrotechnics display at the conclusion of the number. She appeared on stage and closed the concert with an encore performance of the Filipino rock songs "Liwanag sa Dilim" (2003) and "Hallelujah" (2005).[14][18][16]

Critical reception

Regine Rocks was met with positive reviews from critics. ABS-CBNnews.com labeled it a "successful rock concert" which showcased "iconic rock tunes".[18] The writer Ogie Narvaez Rodriguez from Abante acknowledged that Velasquez's concert lived up to expectations, with praise centering on her showmanship and vocal abilities.[14] Writing for Billboard Philippines, Kara Angan commended the show's production value and artistic direction, highlighting its theme and stage design. She underscored that the concert served as a reminder to everyone that she is "still in her prime". Angan concluded that she displayed her "best, electrifying self", and declared that "it is still Regine Velasquez-Alcasid's world and we're just living in it".[12]

Set list

Source:[14][18][16]

  1. "Who Wants to Live Forever" / "We Will Rock You" / "Another One Bites the Dust" / "Radio Ga Ga"
  2. "It's My Life" / "You Give Love a Bad Name" / "Livin' on a Prayer"
  3. "Sweet Child o' Mine"
  4. "Bonggahan"
  5. "Sundo" / "Huwag Na Huwag Mong Sasabihin" / "Hawak Kamay"
  6. "Ang Huling El Bimbo"
  7. "Creep"
  8. "Paint It Black"
  9. "Call Me"
  10. "What About Love" / "Nobody Home" / "These Dreams" / "Alone"
  11. "You Oughta Know"
  12. "What's Up?"
  13. "Hotel California"
  14. "The Only Exception"
  15. "Fix You"
  16. "Smells Like Teen Spirit"
  17. "Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)"
  18. "You've Made Me Stronger"
  19. "Stairway to Heaven"
  20. "Dream On" / "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing"
Encore
  1. "Liwanag sa Dilim"
  2. "Hallelujah"

See also

References

  1. ↑ Asis, Salve (January 15, 2023). "Regine, magso-solo sa kanyang 35th anniversary!" [Regine performs solo for her 35th anniversary]. The Philippine Star (in Tagalog). Archived from the original on January 29, 2023. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Regine Velasquez to stage repeat of 'Solo' concert in April". ABS-CBNnews.com. March 7, 2023. Archived from the original on March 8, 2023. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  3. 1 2 Santiago, Ervin (April 30, 2023). "Ogie nagpaka-fan boy sa concert ni Regine; tinawag ni Jaya na 'best vocalist in the entire world'" [Ogie fanboyed during Regine's concert; hailed as 'best vocalist in the entire world' by Jaya]. Philippine Daily Inquirer (in Tagalog). Archived from the original on June 17, 2023. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
  4. ↑ "Regine Velasquez celebrates 20 years in show business". Philippine Daily Inquirer. September 24, 2006. Archived from the original on August 14, 2022. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
  5. ↑ Pangilinan, Jen (October 23, 2012). "In celebration of Regine Velasquez's 25th anniversary in showbiz". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Archived from the original on January 22, 2023. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  6. ↑ Calderon, Ricky (June 29, 2017). "Regine Velasquez returns to Viva". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on May 17, 2021. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  7. ↑ "Regine Velasquez releases cover of 'Nag-Iisa Lang'". ABS-CBN News. May 19, 2023. Archived from the original on May 19, 2023. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  8. 1 2 3 "Regine Velasquez shares details of 'Regine Rocks' concert". ABS-CBNnews.com. August 31, 2023. Archived from the original on November 27, 2023. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  9. ↑ Acierto, Drew (September 11, 2023). "Regine Velasquez gears up for upcoming solo concert". ABS-CBNnews.com. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  10. ↑ Purnell, Kristofer; Bello, Raphael (October 28, 2023). "List: Concerts, events for November 2023". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on November 27, 2023. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  11. 1 2 Cruz, Marinel (November 16, 2023). "Regine Velasquez says teaching music 'professionally' not in her cards". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on November 16, 2023. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Angan, Kara (December 5, 2023). "Director Paolo Valenciano on the making of 'Regine Rocks': "I wanted to make everyone see that it's still her time."". Billboard Philippines. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  13. ↑ Abunda, Boy (November 15, 2023). "Regine, nag-research para sa rock concert" [Regine, does a lot of research in preparation for rock concert]. The Philippine Star (in Tagalog). Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Narvaez Rodriguez, Ogie (November 26, 2023). "Regine niyanig MOA Arena" [Regine rocks MOA Arena]. Abante (in Tagalog). Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  15. 1 2 3 Pizarro, Enzo. "Regine Rocks - Personnel". Enzo Pizarro Designs. Archived from the original on November 29, 2023. Retrieved November 28, 2023 – via Facebook.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Regine Rocks - Full Live Recording" (Video). Anjiro, Videographer and Content Creator. Archived from the original on November 28, 2023. Retrieved November 28, 2023 – via YouTube.
  17. ↑ Sabio, Nikka (November 27, 2023). "Regine Velasquez pens message to fans following successful 'Regine Rocks' concert". ABS-CBNnews.com. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  18. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Regine Velasquez holds successful 'rock' concert". ABS-CBNnews.com. November 27, 2023. Archived from the original on November 27, 2023. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  19. ↑ Fernandez, Jenny (December 6, 2023). "Regine Velasquez-Alcasid to hold 'Regine Rocks: The Repeat' In April 2024". Billboard Philippines. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.