Skip to main content

Filipinos love concerts, but venue infrastructure gaps are a threat to the experience

Countries with better, bigger, and more competitive concert venues have reaped economic benefits, especially with the massive and significant influence of popular international acts like pop superstar Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour and Coldplay’s World Tour in consumer behavior and spending. Driving tens of thousands of ‘Swifties’ and concert enthusiasts, the success of these concerts was an economic stimulus for countries worldwide, including Southeast Asian countries such as Singapore and Japan.  Filipino fans alike had to spend big and travel miles to watch the exclusive performance of superstar Swift in Singapore’s National Stadium while others went to Japan’s Tokyo Dome and Sydney’s Accor Stadium in Australia. The massive concert gigs boosted the respective country’s economies, benefitting entertainment, hospitality, retail, and transport industries significantly.


While Singapore’s strategy for a Southeast Asia exclusive Swift performance piqued interest and likewise piqued its neighboring countries, the strategic move sparked conversations and brought to light what the Philippines can improve on in terms of concert venues.

1. Location is key
The Philippines doesn’t lack in big venues. In fact, it boasts of venues that can rival Singapore’s National Stadium and Japan’s Tokyo Dome. Accessibility to the location as well as public transportation and nearby commercial establishments are key.

2. Concert Experience

Photo credit to Stanley Quek. An empty Singapore National Stadium, viewed from the front stage.


Singapore’s pride, the National Stadium, has innovative features such as the world’s largest free-spanning dome, a retractable roof and comfort cooling technology for spectators’ convenience. Its innovation, strategic location, and efficiency bring positive and immersive experiences for enthusiasts and concert fans, making it a magnet for entertainment acts from all over the world. A similar concert venue and experience is something that Filipino concertgoers are hoping the country can replicate.

3. World-class concert amenities and facilities

Architectural “Eyecon” SM Mall of Asia Arena prides itself on having exceptional world-class amenities unique in the Southeast Asia region. –Photo from SM MOA Arena official website

FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 held in SM Mall of Asia Arena – Photo from SM MOA Arena official website

Take for example the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena – a flexible indoor arena developed in 2012 by leading integrated property developer SM Prime – that has been a top-of-mind venue for all sorts of events and offers a unique concert experience. With a full house seating capacity of 20,000, it has been a haven for thrilling sports events, remarkable OPM shows, and unforgettable international superstar performances.

Meanwhile, the SMDC Festival Grounds in Parañaque City is likewise an enormous outdoor venue that can accommodate at least 50,000 people. Ed Sheeran’s Mathematics Tour and Rivermaya The Reunion were among the performers that have graced the stage recently.

4. Achieving Filipinos’ concert dreams

One of the most forward-looking plans of SM Prime is its 360-hectare smart city development which is envisioned to bring in a centerpiece to the country’s entertainment and sporting events – larger in capacity and a more enhanced venue infrastructure that would attract legendary icons in the entertainment scene and compete against Southeast Asia and the world’s best. It will feature an estimated 70,000-capacity stadium and concert arena connected to one of the island’s main destination paradises called Central Park. The sizable arena is envisioned to be the Philippines’ biggest concert venue, with world-class facilities and sustainable features, comparable to other big concert venues worldwide. Once that’s built, Filipinos won’t have to fly overseas because they can watch top-tier performances right from the comfort of their home country.

An artist’s render, visual sketch of the proposed concert venue at Pasay 360 project.

https://www.pexels.com/photo/band-playing-on-stage-2747446/

Without a doubt, Pinoys live and breathe entertainment shows. In fact, Filipinos are the 4th top concert spenders in Asia-Pacific according to digital payments company Visa, proof of how passionate we are about concerts. By investing in the development of modern, smart, and accessible concert venues, Filipino concert enthusiasts can continue to embrace and celebrate live performances with the convenience, comfort, and enjoyment they deserve. Beyond entertainment, well-curated, smart, and innovative concert facilities can further drive economic benefits to the Philippines’ national and local economies, including ancillary local spending in retail, tourism, and hospitality.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

GameZone 3rd GTCC September Arena

The largest tongits prize pool competition in the country, GameZone’s 3rd GTCC first prize of 5 million pesos was won by a tailor from Rizal. Jomar Sapo-an, a humble tailor, emerges victorious in the GameZone Tablegame Champions Cup: September Arena…“Maraming maraming salamat sa lahat ng bumubuo ng GameZone, kung di po dahil sa kanila, wala po ako rito.”  GameZone presents the “GameZone Tablegame Champions Cup (GTCC): September Arena”, a 2-day tournament which ran from September 20 to 21, held at the FilInvest Tent in Muntinlupa, Metro Manila, bringing in the top 36 seasoned players from all over the Philippines to compete in the September Arena for the prestigious golden trophy and a prize pool of ₱10,000,000, the largest prize pool for a tongits competition in the entire Philippines. A tailor from Rizal wins and raises the GTCC: September Arena Championship Trophy As the GameZone community continues to grow it brought out their top players, to showcase their competitive spirit re...
Post a Comment
Read more

BingoPlus sets the stage ablaze with the ultimate music fest to unite sports and entertainment

  Beyond golf and entertainment, the International Series Philippines presented by BingoPlus, empowered Philippine sports and athletes. DJ Alan Walker performing at the International Series Philippines presented by BingoPlus Music Festival The country’s leading digital entertainment platform   is back at it again as the grandest music festival of the year ,  “Swing for Filipino Sports Dream” , brought by  International Series Philippines   presented by BingoPlus , concluded on October 25, 2025 at the ASEANA City Open Grounds. The festival’s powerhouse roster sparked massive and electrifying energy, as both international and local icons took the stage and amped up the crowd. Norwegian DJ Alan Walker and Filipino icon  Apl.de.Ap  of the Black Eyed Peas headlined the event, elevating the atmosphere to new heights. Black Eyed Peas’  Apl.de.Ap  performing their popular song ‘Bebot’ Adding to the lineup were Bamboo, Parokya ni Edgar, Urbandub, Lily...
Post a Comment
Read more

Hotel Sogo Launches ₱100K Dance Showdown for Filipino Crews

SOGO DANCE REVOLUTION” spotlights talent, unity, and energy through a nationwide group competition In a move that merges entertainment, inclusivity, and brand excitement, Hotel Sogo has officially launched the SOGO DANCE REVOLUTION—a nationwide dance competition open to groups of four to eight members, aged 18 and above, offering ₱100,000 worth of prizes in cash and staycation perks. Designed as the hotel’s biggest campaign for 2025, the SOGO DANCE REVOLUTION is not just a contest—it’s a nationwide celebration of dance, teamwork, and Filipino creativity. “We want to highlight the real dance talent of the Filipino people—those who bring energy, rhythm, and positive spirit wherever they go,” said by Ms. Sue Geminiano, Hotel Sogo Marketing Manager. “This contest allows groups to bond, express themselves, and possibly win big while doing something they love. A Digital-First Dance Challenge To join, dance crews must produce a 30–60 second video featuring original, creative, and family-frien...
Post a Comment
Read more