Foreign music influx

US rock band, Korn. AFP FILE PHOTO

I don’t think I can recall a time in recent memory that we have had such a wide array of popular foreign bands coming over. In fact, it has become an exciting last two years of just being able to have the accessibility and convenience of being able to watch any musician you fancy. What I am most pleased about is that there is a good number of foreign musicians that have come representing a wide spectrum of not only musical styles, but different genres that we need to be more exposed to.

We are talking about classical, adult-contemporary rock, metal, jazz, hip-hop and modern rock. I think it is important that we get to watch these musicians while we have the chance and while the opportunity is there. It is also a positive sign that they have chosen to come here because they see a viable market in us and since we are part of the global music market. They see enough reason to visit us here.

After all, we are a country that is very much deeply rooted in music and we are passionate about that. It has been said that the Philippines is a country to go to where forgotten musicians can reclaim their glory days, where foreign singers who are past their prime can relive their heyday even if just for a night or two. I frankly don’t necessarily agree with this sentiment which to me is a negative notion, in fact.

While there is some truth to this perception, I honestly think all musicians, foreign or not, deserve to perform wherever they are welcome and wanted. Having a music career doesn’t always mean being in the top of the charts or having your song regularly played on radio stations. It also means continuing to make music regardless of what era or decade you come from because there is always a desire in most musicians to perform.

And age doesn’t matter in performing as long as you have loyal fans who want to hear more of your music. Then, that is reason enough to continue performing. I have a perfect example of this.

Just last year, KORN, one of my favorite rock bands while I was growing up, decided to come to the Philippines. I know some readers are probably saying “korny” or “they are too old”.

Well, for me, I clearly remember there was a time that they were extremely popular and considered by many to be the main purveyors to creating a new sub-genre of rock called ‘Nu-metal’.

That may seem a lifetime ago by now. But just being there watching the three remaining original members of KORN performing their hearts out made me not think of any of the negative comments and all the preconceived notions that went along to watching a band that to a majority of listeners would say are “past their prime” and are no longer relevant in mainstream music.

I was just excited to be there and to appreciate the band for what it’s worth. I understand that we can’t bring back the band to their heyday form but I saw how KORN gave it their all.

While the “Araneta Coliseum” wasn’t sold out, it wouldn’t be farfetched to say that 10 years ago their concert would have been a sold-out event.

I believe if a certain band was extremely popular for a certain time, does that necessarily mean their popularity should fade away or change as the music gets older or as we get older?

As a matter of fact, what I do believe is that all kinds of music, regardless of where the music is coming from that we enjoyed listening to growing up, helped us in developing our taste for music now.

For those cynical of certain genres, would you know if that kind of music sucked if you didn’t listen to that genre in the first place? Let us think of everyone who enjoyed boy bands before and are now too ashamed to admit they once did. It may sound hilarious but it is definitely true.

That is exactly why we have a number of boy-bands who have come here in the last year. They know their fans are still around. This belief of mine, I apply to all foreign musicians who decide to come here, whether they were popular only for a specific decade or era. I think it provides a great opportunity for anyone to watch them, whether you weren’t aware of them too much growing up, or you only heard them through the records your parents have played.

Music really has no age and there is no age restriction to the kind of music you can listen to. Anyone is welcome and invited.

There has been a good number of bands that have come over in the last two years: from Train, Children of Bodom, Korn, Dashboard Confessional, Anberlin, Gin Blossoms, The Used, The Smashing Pumpkins, Snow Patrol, Maroon 5 etc… and the list goes on and on… while all the aforementioned bands are all worth watching for any discerning fan and listener of anything that has to do with rock.

I have a wish list of bands that I hope someday would come to our country even just for a one-night performance. Bands like the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Foo Fighters and U2 are three bands that top my list. But when it comes to singers there is only one that I would like to see and that is Adele.

That is pretty much self-explanatory as to why I want to see her. She simply has that VOICE that would be great to witness live! I know we have the venues, the sound equipment and security to accommodate any foreign musicians who may decide to come.

We already have proven in the past to be able to organize well and secure their visits here. Probably all we need now is a chance to have more of them come here.

One common thing that most foreign musicians say after they have performed here, have said that we Filipinos are very appreciative and lively as a crowd which attributes inspire the foreign acts to perform with more gusto and to visit again when their schedule permits. That speaks well of us as a people and hopefully that continues. Who knows?

One day, we may yet see all the foreign musicians we want to come here. Let us keep our fingers crossed for that.  While rumors can sometimes be rampant as to who may come here in the Philippines, it is always best to wait and see, to check for announcements and to just be updated in general. Who’s coming next?