The Most Anticipated Concerts This Year: May-June 2023

The re-introduction of live performances comes as no surprise with the wavering effects of the pandemic. Bearing witness to the coveted yet slightly underwhelming Coachella festival, the event was no short of nostalgia for music lovers in being able to experience concerts in the flesh.

2022 provided relief as the wheels continue to churn this year for the local sprouting concert landscape, with the Philippines being an ideal destination for musicians. In the spirit of embracing local and foreign acts, we’ve collated a couple of names to add to the extensive 2023 concert list for May and June.

Retreat to your desired paradise if you must during the summer season, though if ever you’d be in town for these events, maybe grab a friend and get lost in the unique sound each act showcases.

The 1975 ‘At Their Very Best’

Photo caption: The 1975 ‘At Their Very Best’ Asia 2023

Date/s: May 3-4, 2023

Venue: SM Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay City, Metro Manila

Tickets: SM Tickets

Settling in the country for the fifth time in the past decade, the 1975 culminates the release of their recent studio album, ‘Being Funny in a Foreign Language.’ The Wilmslow, Cheshire natives are recognized for their eccentric yet ingenious themes and colorful demeanor, reforming the Pop-Rock genre in its totality. News of their return is all you need to hear—providing not a performance but a holistic experience, being immersed in the ‘Sound.’

Honne ‘May 2023 Asia’ Tour

Photo caption: Honne ‘May 2023 Asia’ Tour

Date/s: May 10 (Manila), 12 (Davao), 14 (Cebu), 2023

Venue: Smart Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, Metro Manila (Manila)

Tickets: Ticketnet Online

English electronic music duo, Honne, amassed a growing following locally through their debut at the Wanderland 2017 stage. The settling was avidly warm on a cold night, with their soothing tones and conversational lyricism providing warmth to the hearts of those in attendance. Honne provides a glance into something mystical yet relatably mundane, as their music can be likened to a late-night drive as stars peer in the distance—enjoyable with or without a special someone. The 2023 Asia Tour marks the artists’ third appearance in the Philippines, commemorated through a three-day concert with shows in Manila, Davao, and Cebu.

Ruel ‘4th Wall’ World Tour

Photo caption: Ruel ‘4th Wall’ World Tour

Date/s: May 26, 2023

Venue: Samsung Hall, SM Aura Premier, Taguig City, Metro Manila

Tickets: SM Tickets

Providing a physical portrayal of three years' work, Australian singer-songwriter Ruel tours the globe, stopping in the Philippines in late May. The concert commemorates his debut studio album, ‘4th Wall’, inspired by the pop-r&b-soul artist’s favorite films. Its 14-track feature provides a glimpse of the 20-year-old’s musical imagery, describing a reality bound by lies, deception, and for another’s entertainment. Ruel’s return to Manila marks his second visit this past year, as the bright lights openly welcome you into its arms.

Fusion: The Philippine Music Festival

Photo caption: Fusion: The Philippine Music Festival

Date/s: May 27, 2023

Venue: CCP Open Grounds, Pasay City, Metro Manila

Tickets: SM Tickets

Brimming with excitement and local flow, Fusion introduces the unique Filipino sound converging on one stage. The mecca for everything originally Filipino celebrates unity in diversity—hailing from various cultures and beliefs across 7,000 islands, yet intertwined through song. Bannered by former-Rivermaya frontman Bamboo Mañalac coupled with the folk-pop ensemble of Ben&Ben, the concert depicts the ability of the industry to brave the ever-changing tides. It showcases the surging growth of OPM, being able to adapt to Westernized influences yet remaining true to one’s voice and story. Conceived in collaboration with PraXis, Fushion champions freedom, with music posing as the dialect which binds its people together.

Bruno Mars

Photo caption: Bruno Mars

Date/s: June 24, 2023

Venue: Philippine Arena, Bulacan, Metro Manila

Tickets: Live Nation (pre-selling starts on April 27, 2023)

You wouldn’t want to be locked out of heaven when the Filipino-American returns to his motherland. Bruno Mars’ fourth concert in the Philippines celebrates his excellence, possibly providing live renditions of his classics and tracks from his most recent collaborative work, ‘An Evening with Silk Sonic.’ The award-winning artist is renowned for his ability to string different genres with his captivating vocals and flare—reflected by his 31 Grammy nominations and 15 wins. Strike fast and secure your slot to witness his retro showmanship in the flesh, for you may just have to talk to the moon, hoping the icon would wound up on the country’s shores once more.

Art Credit: James Francisco