Smart
Araneta Coliseum
Cubao, Quezon
City
Martin Nievera’s first concert ever back on August
21, 1983 at the Tanghalang Francisco Balagtas or the Folk Arts
Theater was the most memorable one for him, but for all the wrong reasons. The crowd
got too loud for him that their screams ended up drowning everything to the
point that he couldn’t hear his voice and his band. Martin felt that it wasn’t
his best performance but this concert was just the first of the many that eventually
led him to become known as the Philippines ’
Concert King.
Fast
forward thirty years later, Martin Nievera, still considered as the Concert
King, is gearing up for a major concert this September 13, 2013, 8:00 PM at the
Smart Araneta Coliseum. This concert, entitled 3D Tatlong Dekada is in celebration of his 30 years in the
industry. At an intimate bloggers’ conference held at the Viva Entertainment Office, a very candid Martin recalled his early days, acknowledged the career
highs and lows he that he has faced and was brutally honest when admitting
where he is right now at this point in his career. In the span of thirty years,
many artists have come and gone but Martin has remained in the industry albeit
more careful (health wise and career wise), a little jaded and according to
him, paranoid in a good way.
 |
| Martin Nievera |
It’s
inevitable for him to be asked what is his secret for his long term success
especially now in the era of being hot today until the newest and hottest
sensation comes along. Martin responded that he doesn’t know the secret. He
also added he’d rather not know that he has arrived since he finds the journey
more important. He also finds himself more of a fan of the industry rather than
being a part of it.
And
one thing he pointed out during the discussion that he always made sure to have
each and every CD signed during his mall shows. He has experienced the disappointment
of falling in line and then the artist stopping signing when it was finally his
turn. And he didn’t want to do that to his fans who saved their hard earned
money to buy his albums. This I personally experienced when he had his album
launch for 3D Tatlong Dekada held at Trinoma a few months ago. Despite having a
bandaged wrist due to an accident that occurred days before, he still sang his
heart out far longer than the typical mall show and tirelessly signed CD’s and
everything else for everyone who fell in line, myself included.
 |
| Martin Nievera with Viva Entertainment's Baby Gil at the background |
So
much has happened to Martin in the span of three decades. He has released
numerous albums from 1982’s Martin… Take
One up to last year’s 3D Tatlong
Dekada and the latest vinyl releases Off
the Record and Under the Covers
by Polyeast Records. Most of these albums achieved multiple platinum certifications
when the benchmark was still higher compared to now. Martin has also starred in
several movies (forgettable ditties like Always
and Forever and Maria Went to Town)
and has hosted on television (Martin
After Dark, Martin Late @ Night
and of course A.S.A.P.). But it’s at
the stage where Martin feels most at home. And come September 13, 2013 at 8:00 PM , the Smart Araneta Coliseum will be his stage. Directed
by Rowell Santiago, with music direction by Louie Ocampo and accompanied by the
ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra led by Gerard Salonga, Martin said that this
will be unlike his previous concerts with gimmicks and numerous guest stars.
This time around, it will be all about 30 years worth of music and old school
singing which is what made him who he is today.
Here is a previous blog entry when I met Martin when he was a guest at Radio Republic's Muchikahan show.
3D Tatlong Dekada is a production of
Viva Live, Inc. and Redstone Media Production.
Ticket
prices:
P4000
VIP
P3500
Patron A
P3000
Patron B
P2500
Lower Box
P150
Upper Box A
P750
Upper Box B
P400
General Admission
For
inquries:
Viva
Concerts 687-7236
Ticketnet
911-5555
