Due to the pandemic, concert artists face their biggest challenge as they all perform without the presence of a live audience.

Having a live audience is the essence of performing, as pointed out by RS Francisco and Sam Verzosa, who are producing “EVOLUXION: An Ex Battalion Online Concert” for Frontrow. The online concert will be held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Dec. 11.

“The bigger the crowd, the better it is,” Francisco said during the Nov. 13 online press conference for the concert. “Pero gaya nga ng sabi ko, ang pinaka-challenge talaga is mag-rehearse at mag-perform sila ng walang tao.” (But as I’ve said, the biggest challenge is to rehearse and perform without an audience.)

“Alam mo ‘yung tipong kakanta ka ng mega hit song mo, “Dance With You” or “Hayaan Mo Sila” tapos biglang isang camera, dalawang camera lang ‘yung kinakantahan mo. ‘Yun ang pinakanakikita kong challenge,” he added.

(It’s like you’re singing your mega hit songs such as “Dance With You” or “Hayaan Mo Sila” but you’re singing to just one or two cameras. That is the biggest challenge I see.)

Verzosa also believes that the challenge is not so much the production but the absence of a crowd to perform to.

“I guess iba kasi kapag may audience. Mas ganado sila,” he explains. (It’s different when there’s an audience, the performers are inspired.)

Despite this, Francisco assures fans that the musical arrangement, production values and choreography of the show are done perfectly.

Ex Battalion member JROA is grateful that despite the absence of a live audience, producers Francisco and Verzosa provided them with an environment that still somehow energized them.

ex battalion frontrow — Ex Battalion. Image: courtesy of Frontrow

“Totoo po ang sinabi nila na mahirap mag-perform ng walang crowd pero gusto naming magpasalamat kina direk RS and Sam kasi binibigay talaga nila ang lahat ng kailangan namin kahit na walang crowd. Binibigay nila ‘yung feels na kailangan namin para ma-feel pa rin namin na nasa live pa rin kami,” he said.

(It’s true that it’s hard to perform without a crowd but we would like to thank director RS and Sam because they gave us all that we needed. They gave us the “feels” that we need for us to feel as if we are still performing live.)

Fans of Ex Battalion may already purchase tickets, with prices ranging from P300 to P35,000. Certain price ranges offer various perks, from clothing and accessories, to an exclusive dinner with the group and exclusive access to a listening party with cocktails. All merchandise and printed tickets may be claimed at the Frontrow head office at Pacific Century Tower, Brgy. South Triangle, Quezon City. JB

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