Music Management International (MMI), promoter of British band Coldplay’s concert on April 4 at the Mall of Asia (MOA) open grounds, released last week 6,000 extra tickets due to high demand.
This brings to 35,000 the number of people expected to watch, MMI boss Rhiza Pascua told us.
The open-air venue will have a festival setup, meaning there will be no seats.
The latest news from the band is frontman Chris Martin’s announcement on March 2, his 40th birthday, of a new Coldplay EP, “Kaleidoscope,” to be released on June 2.
It has five tracks, including “Something Just Like This,” a collaboration with The Chainsmokers, and “Hypnotised,” which Martin himself uploaded on YouTube.
For more details, log on: mmilive.com or @mmilive on Facebook
Japanese whisky at Lit Manila
At first sight, Lit Manila at Serendra in Bonifacio Global City looks nondescript and unimposing, its facade dark, with no interesting sign to catch your attention.
It’s only upon entering that you discover this is the way Japanese whisky bars really look like—small, the bar accommodating only about 10 people, plus two tables. Dondi Valdez, a Japanese whisky enthusiast, said the smallness is due to the scarcity of commercial space in Japan.
Recently Lit Manila hosted “Viva Suntory Whisky All the Way”—a basic masterclass on the appreciation of drinking whisky, with Tossei Hasegawa presiding.
Suntory, founded in Osaka in 1899, is known as a pioneer in making Japanese whisky.
Hasegawa, a Lit Manila business partner, expertly guided us on the history and art of imbibing Japanese whisky via four Suntory varieties: Suntory Old Whisky, Hibiki, The Chita, and The Yamazaki.
Of the nine ways of drinking whisky that Hasegawa mentioned, the first and most basic, “neat” or straight up, is preferred—the better to fully enjoy its taste and flavor.
That’s when we realized drinking whisky “on the rocks” or with ice is not that good—though it may be okay with those who want to soften whisky’s alcohol strength, it also dilutes the spirit’s true taste.
The difference between Scotch and Japanese whisky is that the latter’s flavor is more intense.
And the most interesting lesson we imbibed that night? You don’t have to drink a lot to say that Japanese whisky could make you feel good.
Lit Manila, G/F Serendra Bonifacio Global City, Taguig; tel. 0917-5100014
Buddha-Bar Manila turns 5
Buddha-Bar Manila recently celebrated its fifth anniversary with a “Cabaret Night” theme complete with can-can dancers. Main performer was the band Silk, with Buddha Bar’s resident DJ Joseph Alturas keeping the party going till the wee hours.
Over the years, Buddha-Bar has hosted a number of events including the 1st Philippine Ukulele Festival, Josie Natori Fall and Winter Collection Fashion Show, E! News Special with Anne Curtis, and the annual Fete de la Musique.
International artists Renee Olstead, Kenny Wiz, The Fray, and Jonas Brothers have also performed.
On April 29, Buddha Bar will hold a grand raffle draw and give away a brand-new Maserati.
Buddha-Bar Manila, Picar Place, Kalayaan Avenue, Makati City. Log on: buddhabarmanila.com. Tel. 8566719, 8566859 or 0998-9833918