The Coldplay concert on April 4 at the Mall of Asia (MOA) open grounds is the biggest show to come to Manila this year. It is expected to draw 35,000 people.
To avoid any untoward incident, MMI Live, Coldplay’s Manila concert promoter, has released a list of 20 prohibited items as part of its stringent security measures.
Topping the list: “Strictly no medication/prescription drug of any packaging/bottles/ aerosols/branded or unbranded medicines of any kind.”
Other significant no-nos:
“No e-cigarettes. Smoking is allowed only at designated areas.”
“No lighters/candles/fireworks and any other type of pyrotechnics.”
No. 19, “No hard drive, power bank, charger of any type/wired headphones,” has been revised. Power banks will now be allowed.
In addition, there are nine event guidelines, including:
Must be 18 years old and above to enter concert grounds. Valid government/school ID must be presented upon entry.
Minors, ages 15-17, must be accompanied by a ticket-bearing parent or guardian (1:1 ratio).
(For the complete list of guidelines and prohibited items, go to MMI Live’s Facebook page.)
There will be cops in uniform and plainclothes inside the venue, but MMI should ensure that these police officers behave, too.
All things considered, the concert should be fun.
Every member of the audience will wear a Xyloband, a type of computer-operated wristband that will flash with the music.
‘Mini-reunion’
The news about former Buklod bandmates Rom Dongeto and Noel Cabangon reuniting for a one-night gig on April 6 at Conspiracy is actually billed as “The Music of Rom Dongeto,” featuring his current band Layag, and Gary Granada fronting.
But then again, it will also be a “mini-reunion,” as Dongeto told us, since he has invited Cabangon and other Buklod members Rene Boncocan, Joey Maurillo and Glen Torres to join him onstage.
Two of Dongeto’s original compositions are now Filipino alternative music classics, “Kanlungan” and “Tatsulok.”
Conspiracy Garden Café, 59 Visayas Avenue, Quezon City; tel. no. 4532170; log on: facebook.com/pg/, conspiracy.garden.cafe
The Filharmonic
American girl group Fifth Harmony’s concert on April 5 at the MOA Arena will feature the six-member Fil-Am a cappella group Filharmonic as front act.
Composed of Jules Cruz, VJ Rosales, Trace Gaynor, Barry Fortgang, Joe Caigoy and Niko Del Rey, The Filharmonic first gained notice when it competed in season 4 of “The Sing-Off,” a US TV singing competition.