After the most anticipated concert of Rihanna and Chris Brown Live in Taguig last November 16 at the Bonifacio Global City Open Field, nothing is going to be the same again. Having been the only Asian country able to book them on a one night only concert, we have marked the entertainment history. With 2 powerhouse performers and more than 60,000 fans who watch the concert, it was an evening you won’t forget!
Everybody was up, dancing the night away as the two artists took turns in their performances. Chris Brown started off with his upbeat set with Forever, Kiss Kiss, Gimme That and Picture Perfect and followed up with his hits Say Goodbye, With You and No Air. Micheal Jackson’s Rock With You, Billy Jean and Thriller was given a new twist with Chris Brown’s own rendition.
Rihanna’s set followed with Disturbia, Pon De Replay, Don’t Stop the Music, Shut up and Drive which kept everyone on their feet. She also slowed things down a bit with Unfaithful, Hate that I Love You So, Rehab and Take a Bow. She thanked her fans for being such an awesome audience and ended the show with Chris Brown with Umbrella.
It truly was a night to remember not only for the fans but also for Rihanna and Chris Brown! And as of the moment, everyone is asking how we did it. Here’s how MTV staged the successful concert.
The Philippines is only Asian country able to stage both artists in a one-night only show this year. These artists then serve as Ambassadors of Good Will since their coming here would attract other foreign artists to visit the country. This would be a good push for Philippine tourism.
The concert was readily available for everyone. Tickets were reasonably priced since it gets you in two concerts for the price of one. 90% of the tickets were already sold 2 weeks preceding the show with the help of the Early Bird Rate. Sponsors also came out with their own promos to extend the Early Bird Rate for their subscribers and their regulars. These promos helped ticket buyers get their tickets on a discount and added business to the sponsors.
Given the size of the venue and Globe and MTV’s desire to make it a secure and enjoyable event for the fans of Rihanna and Chris Brown, all necessary precautions were taken. And we mean ALL!
Mr. Ronald Esguerra, MTV’s Marketing and Communications director and Project Director of the Rihanna and Chris Brown Live in Taguig Concert pointed out that there were 1,020 security personnel who joined forces to keep everything manageable. These security team, composed of Globe Security Group, Fort Bonifacio DC Security Group, Taguig PNP Force and the Event Security and bouncers, was properly oriented and was given strict instructions to implement the security measures during the concert.
Conrad V. Castañeda, Front of House Manager of the Concert said, “We prepared for the worse. We established 26 First Aid stations, strategically positioned all over the concert venue. We made sure that it is readily accessible to anyone, should there be an accident or an emergency.” He also said that the 83 reported minor injuries, approximately 0.001% of all who watched the show, was attended to immediately and effectively. Amongst the reported minor injuries attended to were exhaustion and a need of an insulin shot.
Mr. Esguerra gave out instructions to all security personnel, ushers and front of house management to upgrade all handicaps to the platinum area for free without questions asked. “Even if they were all the way at the Bronze area, they were automatically escorted to the barricaded reserved section at the platinum area to assure them safety and comfort as they watch the concert,” Mr. Esguerra added. This section was made specifically for the handicapped.
Traffic congestion was also anticipated. Roughly 15,000 to 20,000 vehicles were going to and from the venue at the same time. But since the management team foreseen this, they prepared for it studying routes that would manage the flow of traffic. After everything has been finalized, traffic advisories were disseminated prior the concert. Four days before the show, traffic advisory signages were installed at the vicinity of the concert venue to inform motorists where they can and can’t pass. They have also released it in the newspapers to have the advisories reach those who do not typically pass the Fort. No major accident reported and no road rage happened, a confirmation that everything was managed and directed properly.
It truly was an explosive concert, having the 2 biggest R&B artists perform back to back! An experience only Rihanna and Chris Brown can give!