Franco Reyes all set for his first major solo concert
The first time I heard of Franco Reyes was when he was the frontman of the rock supergroup called FRANCO. I also recall when FRANCO was featured on the cover of a music magazine a few years ago. After reading the write-up for the band, the piece intrigued me and got my interest growing as FRANCO was being hyped to be the next big thing in the local scene. That led me to purchase their self-titled major label debut from MCA music. Let me say their CD didn’t at all dissappoint as their sound was straight-up modern rock infused with reggae beats and a distinct “island flavor” that must have come from Franco Reyes’s music influences from his hometown Cebu. This was one of the best local CDs if not the best local CD to come out of 2010. That was how awesome that CD really was! This was the supergroup to beat all other rock supergroups at the time. And I was so glad that they were able to release a CD. Quality music like this should not be kept hidden but instead be allowed to reach listeners and especially those who want to hear one of the best bands ever to be formed in some time.
Just look at the line-up. It is a who’s who of local rock as FRANCO was composed of Franco Reyes (of InYo) on vocals and guitar, Gabby Alipe (of Urbandub) on guitar, Paolo “8” Toleran (of Queso) on guitar, Buwi Meneses (of Parokya ni Edgar) on bass guitar, and JanJan Mendoza (of Urbandub) on drums. By all means, this was an all-star cast of musicians to ever form a band in the last several years. To be able to watch such a combination of well-known and established musicians together performing in one band was like a dream come true for a lot of music aficionados. It wasn’t only the praises they were receiving from music lovers and critics but the awards came as well. In 2010 FRANCO won four in the 2010 NU Rock Awards namely, Artist of the Year, Song of the Year for “This Gathering”, Album of the Year for their self-titled album, and the Listeners’ Choice Award.
Everything then looked great and the future was brighter than ever for FRANCO but with the way things go in the local scene and how we have seen high profile rock supergroups break up in the past and even though it disappointed a lot of us music aficionados when the said band announced they had split ways, it was understandable why they inevitably disbanded. Each band member of FRANCO had his own respective band as well and schedules would of course become a problem in the long run. Despite the splitting of ways, music aficionados are delighted to know that lead singer Franco Reyes will still make music. Franco Reyes proves that music will always continue regardless of drastic changes and the music will play on with Franco Reyes leading the charge backed by session musicians.
Franco Reyes is one of the best artists to ever have come out of Cebu. His rise and popularity in the last few years really prove that all over the Philippines we have talented musicians contributing to the local scene’s evolving and changing identity here in Manila. Franco Reyes follows a trail of other musicians who have made it big out of Cebu. And what better way to see and hear what are some of the best artists that Cebu has to offer than to watch the first major solo concert of Franco Reyes on the Music Museum 9pm at April 6, 2013 !
Concert and ticket details are listed below:
FRANCO…Soul Adventurer…The Solo Concert will take place on April 6, 2013, 9pm at the Music Museum.
Tickets are available at:
SM TICKETS – 4702222 – smtickets.com
MUSIC MUSEUM TICKETRON – 7216726 – musicmuseum.com.ph
TICKETWORLD – 8919999 – ticketworld.com.ph
SOUL ADVENTURER, Franco’s 1st full-length album is now available for download onwww.mymusicstore.com.ph. Released exclusively by MCA Music.
