Manila Turns Musical this August

News have been raining left right and center as to what to watch out for in this incredible city by means of concerts, plays, etc. August is turning out to be a pretty interesting month with THREE BANDS invading these borders that will likely rock the hunger and the purses of enthusiasts. To quote my sister, "Hindi ko na alam kung ano ang kinabukasan ko"... we are going to be hungry, social outcasts and temporarily broke before and after such magical consumption. But who cares?!!

So Skyflakes diet, let's kickeeettt!!

1. THE SMASHING PUMPKINS (yes, I am SCREAMING!!!!)

My dearest James, Billy, Jimmy and D'arcy. 

True, true, they are no longer the original quad(ro?) whom we Gen X-ers and early Gen Y-ers fell in-love with. Who can ever forget "Today" with the catchy guitar intro and the music video where James Iha wears a dress and Billy Corgan in an ice cream man's uniform? How about "Bullet With Butterfly Wings" from the supposedly melancholic double-tape/double-CD (depending on your funds then) Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness? And then there was Adore, with the four going down to three, with my dear Jimmy Chamberlain having to retreat and withdraw due to drug problems daw? And then there was one, with a changing cast of characters who we no longer know?

Billy and... who? Let us fall in-love with you guys.

But who cares? This is THE Smashing Pumpkins. As much as we dream of a reunion of the original band members, in the meantime we can only be treated with the band that is now and the music that will forever wail in our hearts.

That's why Billy Corgan, please make sure to play tons of music from your pre-new Pumpkin era; this will be a surefire way to maintain and gain a fanbase. And... new Pumpkins, let's kick ass, yeah? We're still recovering from the new membership.

Hmm... New Membership. Potential band name.

The Smashing Pumpkins Oceania Global Tour - Smart Araneta Coliseum 
7 August 2012, 8PM

Ticket prices: VIP (limited standing); P4783 (Patron, Standing); P3733 (Lower Box, reserved seating); P1843 (Upper Box A, free seating); P1045 (Upper Box B, free seating); P583 (General Admission).

*At the moment the concert is not on the Smart Araneta and Ticketnet websites but there is a circulating contact number for reservations. Call Charlemagne at 09178334223 or 09228334223 for all sections. 


2. Snow Patrol

Oh my god. These guys, I am in-love with them in manner of reverse "absence makes the heart grow fonder" or more appropriately, the opposite of "out of sight, out of mind" which basically means I am in-love with them EVERY TIME I hear their songs. I don't care what my Brit friend says that they are some nobblybits-whatnot, I have been WANTING this band. Seriously, this band just makes Grey's Anatomy kinda more worth watching. Remember those scenes where someone is about to die, or someone is about to be killed, or someone wants to die? Snow Patrol is usually there, crooning, and you just want to WEEEEPP!

Furthermore, Scotty of Jam 88.3, a Scottish guy who's seen them a few times, declares that Snow Patrol is WORTH WATCHING. Just lookie:

Snow Patrol Live in Manila 2012 - Smart Araneta Coliseum
9 August 2012, 8PM

Ticket prices: P7420 (Patron A); P5830 (Patron B); P4770 (Patron C); P4770 (Lower Box VIP); P4240 (Lower Box Regular); P3180 (Upper Box A VIP); P2650 (Upper Box A Regula); P1590 (Upper Box B); P850 (General Admission)

Visit http://www.ticketnet.com.ph/.


3. Tears for Fears (with a band member from Fra Lippo Lippi)

My only Tears for Fears album. In casette tape.

Alright, so here is something for the hipper and older crowd: the 1980s equivalent of... ah, these guys remain to be incomparable. Of course, growing up in the 80s I was familiar with their songs but my Tears for Fears appreciation came in the early 1990s when I saw their music video "Break It Down Again" and, for some reason, I had the greatest hits album Tears Roll Down which became a "phase" in  sophomore year. I was in-love with "Woman in Chains" and "Sowing the Seeds of Love". But then again, who didn't grow up singing to "Shout... shout... let it all out!"?

Frankly, one of my videoke songs is a Tears for Fears tune... and it's not "Everybody Wants to Rule the World"!!! It's "Head Over Heels", actually :-)

Tears for Fears Live in Manila 2012 - Smart Araneta Coliseum
10 August 2012, 8PM


Ticket prices: P7920 (SVIP and VIP); 5810 (Patron); P4755 (Lower Box); P2640 (Upper Box A); P1585 (Upper Box B); P740 (General Admission)

 Visit http://www.ticketnet.com.ph/


4. Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Experience

Alright! This section may be quite off, but I love the Harry Potter books and I think I am going to watch this. Potted Potter is actually a condensed parody of the seven books and it has developed from a street performance into a full length play. From August 28 to September 2, Philippine Potter fans, theater enthusiasts and every Dhong, Tikoy and Manny have the opportunity to pick from the ten scheduled shows at the RCBC Plaza in Makati and just be taken away by the alohomoras to the expecto patronums.

Potted Potter - Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza
28 August to 2 September 2012


Ticket prices: P950 (Zone 3); P1900 (Zone 2); P2950 (Zone 1)

Visit: www.ticketworld.com.ph

5. Oh... AND The Phantom of the Opera


It'll be at the CCP starting August 25. Very important play, very big deal they're staging it here. Just go to the bloody Ticketworld website for information and how much you have to shell out just so you can shriek along with "All I Ask of You".


That's it, I'm overwhelmed.