Ely Buendia is heading out to the U.S. for a series of live shows for the first time since the pandemic broke out.
"I really do miss playing live. The producers have taken great pains to ensure everyone’s safety," the Filipino rock icon shares with Bandwagon about the upcoming tour. With the country under lockdown for a little over a year and seven months now, it's been a huge pain for artists and fans who crave for the thrill and energy of live music.
Playing shows is most certainly Essential for Buendia, whose tour is named as such. He'll be hitting up major cities across California, Washington, Nevada, New York, and Virginia through November to December this year. "There was a U.S. tour lined up already before the pandemic hit, so this really is just continuing what was already planned before," he reveals.
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"There’s definitely new protocols in place," Buendia, who adds that 'Superproxy' and 'Popmachine' are his favorite songs to play live, says. "I actually don’t know what to expect, post-pandemic shows are a new thing for me. I just hope we’ll all be safe and that the crowd is fun."
In fact, the 'Pariwara' singer isn't the only Filipino act who's flying out of the country to play some live shows. This December, on the same day as Buendia's New York concert, One Music X 2021 will be taking place in Dubai with Moira Dela Torre, Bamboo, BGYO, BINI, Gigi De Lana, and Ez Mil returning to the live stage in what feels like forever.
Then in March next year, 'Dazed' R&B singer Kiana V will be represeting the Philippines at SXSW in Austin, Texas alongside Korean acts HAEPARRY and Y2K92 and Japanese singer Haru Nemuri. Even Broadway star and living Disney Princess Lea Salonga has big touring plans for 2022. She will embarking on her Dream Again Tour 2022, which takes her across Canada, U.S., and the U.K.
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It makes sense though. Playing shows is a huge part of a musician's job, and since it's unlikely for live concerts to make a comeback in the Philippines soon, promoters have found a workaround to make it happen elsewhere. It surely takes more effort, but it will help keep the live music industry alive, especially in these trying times.
A lot of Filipino artists have become more vocal for change. This past month, Ely Buendia registered to vote for the first time at the upcoming presidential elections. "I registered because I feel I should take responsibility for my family’s future and well-being," he says.
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These days, it's really all about looking forward. He already even knows who's going to be babysitting his cats while he's away in the U.S.
Buendia even has plans to release a new song soon with his label Offshore Music. "We’re in it for the long haul. Our dream is for all our artists to be able to have music as a viable career," he says.
"On my way!" he wants to tell his fans, who've been waiting for him to hit the stage.
ELY BUENDIA ESSENTIAL U.S. 2021 TOUR DATES:
NOV 19 - San Diego
NOV 20 - Los Angeles
NOV 21 - Seattle
NOV 27 - Las Vegas
NOV 28 - San Leandro
DEC 3 - New York
DEC 4 - Virginia
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