THIRTY rock legends, spanning 3 generations, starred at the much-awaited Tanduay Rhum Rock Fest 2011 at the SM Mall of Asia open grounds, last Oct 14th.
Over 80,000 music fans heard loud and clear as they filled the venue to overflowing, with SM officials claiming this was the biggest turnout they’d seen for any Filipino or foreign concert. (The event was also sponsored by Cherry Mobile, No Fear apparel, Pony footwear, with media partners Jam 88.3, GMA 7, Philippine Star, Myx and Pulp Magazine.)
Opening the concert, which ran from 6 pm to 3 am the next morning, was ‘First Five’ stalwart Sandwich, who kicked off the night by resurrecting Dong Abay of Yano.
The Tanduay Rhum Rock Fest featured multiple LED screens across the open grounds, a state-of-the-art sound system as well as overwhelming pyrotechnics that featured firework displays off and onstage all through the night. It was also clear that “Philippine-made”was truly world-class.
Leading the charge for the event was Rico Blanco, who wrote the song “Ngayon” that became the official anthem of the TanduayRhumRockfest Year 5. This also provided the soundtrack for a landmark alliance with the OPM organization. Only Tanduay’s muscle could have pulled off this coup that united for the first time the pop solo artists with Pinoy rock, known not just for their fierce support of original Filipino music as much as their rugged individualism. Joining Tanduay in a toast that finally united the Filipino music industry under one banner were Tanduay’s top officials Mr. Andres Co, SVP Sales and Marketing and Mr. Robert Tee, VP Sales and Marketing and Paul Lim, Advertising Manager; as well as OPM chairperson OgieAlcasid, Secretary DindongAvanzado and board member Noel Cabangon, alongside MediaCom business unit manager Gladys R. Basinillo from the advertising agency.
Highlights of the evening included a ‘comeback’ performance by Bamboo, accompanied by a 16-piece, mini-orchestra, his first public appearance since the breakup of the multi-platinum group with the same name.
Also memorable were performances by Sampaguita, The Dawn, PacoArescopachaga (who was flown in for the occasion), Hungry Young Poets, The Youth, and OrientPearl, EbeDancel (his first major event as a solo artist)as well as young turksUrbandub, Franco and Typecast.
The Tanduay ‘First Five’ were not to be outdone, with Kamikazee staging a rollicking launch of their latest album, “Romantiko”, complete with theatrical rockstar costumes. Drummer Allan Burdeospulled an Oprah-like surprise by proposing marriage to longtime girlfriend, Carina Altomomte on stage to the cheers of the crowd.
Wolfgang set the tone for the evening, as screaming moshing fans tore down and leapt over barricades to get closer to their idols.
Parokyani Edgar unleashed a pack of clowns, as they swung into their monster, mass-appeal hits from start to finish; while heartthrobs Chicosci performed with a barrage of beach-balls that left the audience screaming for more, and the night ended with Urbandub’s explosive performance with expectacular fireworks closing the event with a bang.