Make Me Sweat with Markki Stroem and G-Force

Bodies have cooled down and the sweat have already been wiped dry (although the current weather is heating things up again but that’s a different story) and yet it’s only now (my apologies) that I’ve had the chance to upload an entry regarding Make Me Sweat with Markki Stroem and G-Force  that was held at the Music Museum before Valentine’s Day.

Markki convincing KC Concepcion to come up on stage

This concert, billed as a sexy pre-Valentine’s Day show, was directed by Georcelle Dapat-Sy and clearly catered to a more mature audience. The way the show definitely intrigued a lot of people but they didn’t really know what to expect so things started a bit too quietly during the opening number. A dangling and upside down Ray-An slowly descending towards Gelai who was lying down on the stage was a dramatic opening and yet the people were hesitating a bit at the time. The rest of the G-Force and Markki Stroem joined in for an energetic Marry the Night by Lady Gaga number. But it took a couple more numbers for the audience to warm up and it finally happened when Markki took the saxophone and played the infamous Careless Whisper by George Michael while Dayrit and Cathy did a slow and sexy dance to the tune. The combination of a song that is strongly associated with a scandalous video along with lesbian undertones from the two dancers proved to be a hit among the audience. After that, the G-Force already had the audience at the palm of their hands.

Markki was quite a revelation during this concert as his set were composed of songs from female vocalists (Sweet Dreams, Toxic, Rumor Has It, Fever and Man Down) but given a radical jazz arrangement which made these tunes difficult to recognize at first. This was definitely a glimpse of the music direction that he wishes to pursue in his recording career. Although first impressions might say that this may not appeal to the mainstream, I think that local listeners are now ready and more receptive to a more sophisticated type of music. And this was proven by the good reception that Markki’s own composition, Steal Your Soul got from the audience that evening. The video of the song was also received well since it has also charted over at MYX.

The women of G-Force

On the other hand, G-Force showed why they are one of the, if not the most popular mainstream dance group right now. They are known for their entertaining yet cutting edge choreography and they showed this and more during the show. The G-Force danced to Sexy And I Know It and We Found Love which was quite expected already since these two tunes have topped the charts. But what wasn’t expected was when they pulled some people from the audience for a little session at a massage table that was brought to the stage. The female G-Force members got some random male audience member who was up for it and the girls did get a bit raunchy. And when it was time for Markki and the boys to get a female audience member, they got no other than KC Concepcion and Karylle. KC needed a lot of convincing before she was dragged on stage. She actually needed Karylle with her for support but both ended up as good sports after their brief massage session on stage in full view of the audience.

Markki Stroem & Georcelle Dapat-Sy with G-Force

The show promised to titillate as part of its draw and it did tickle the senses since everyone on stage ended up losing a lot of clothing. But aside from achieving that, raising the temperature inside the venue and making everybody sweat, the show was also able to bring to light the emerging music identity of Markki Stroem and I am now clamoring for an album from him soon. It also underscored the talent of G-Force, a dance group with members who not only possess the technique, sharpness and the lines not normally seen in other mainstream groups but they also have the personality that make them truly stand out and make people notice. I do hope that Markki comes up with an album that continues on with the same vein as Steal Your Soul. And G-Force has proven once again that dancers can also have their time on the spotlight and not just relegated to the background. The title of the concert was Make Me Sweat but Markki and G-Force ultimately made their mark as well.

Markki Stroem

Make Me Sweat was a Cornerstone Concerts and Qualibet presentation. This was also brought by ASAP 2012 with Orange Magazine TV as online partner. Special thanks also to MYX. The show was for the benefit of Bosom Buddies.