Get set to watch American idols live

It looks like American Idol (AI) has now made the Philippines part of its summer tour schedule. The new Idols have lately been on tour in the US but they are taking a break from that to go overseas. I do not know if the finalists of Season 11 are visiting other countries next or if they will be performing in other Asian cities. But the fact is Ovation Productions is bringing in this year’s American idols to perform at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City on Sept. 21.

That means we now have the chance to watch all of the idols live. They are the Season 11 winner Phillip Phillips and finalists, Joshua Ledet, DeAndre Brackensick, Elise Testone, Erika Van Pelt, Hee Jun Han, Skylar Laine, Colton Dixon, Hollie Cavanagh and most of all Jessica Sanchez, which is the one that Pinoys are most excited about.

We, Pinoys, like to be in the thick of things. We love to be part of all goings-on. We find ways to be participants in important events even if it means being odious or bending the truth any which way. There were lots of opportunities to do this when we saw and most of all, heard the golden-voiced Jessica in American Idol.

At long last, a Filipino has the chance to become an American Idol. The last time we did was when Jasmine Trias from Hawaii made it to the Top 3 of the contest. There was also Ramiele Malubay, but she was voted out early in the game. It did not matter that although her mother was born in Samal, Bataan in the Philippines, Jessica has a Mexican father. From what I had heard, she is an American girl who cannot speak Tagalog and has never been to the Philippines.

Jessica had a great voice and was very good. She is somebody that Pinoys or Mexicans or anybody can be proud of. She even earned the judges’ much-coveted one and only “Save” when she was almost booted out of the competition. Although voting was only allowed in the US, clever Pinoys thought of ways to send in their votes. I do not know if those were actually counted but perhaps also thanks to those, Jessica came in second to country pop idol Phillip.

Jessica and the other Idols will be performing the songs they did in the show’s last season. Some of these are now available in the five-track album, American Idol Season 11 Highlights distributed locally by Universal Music. Included in the CD and surely among the most awaited in the show will be her rendition of Whitney Houston’s I Will Always Love You, Beyoncé’s Sweet Dreams, Jazmine Sullivan’s Stuttering and the new original she did in the finals, Change Nothing.

She will also be in some production numbers with the other Idols and these might include, I Knew You Were Waiting For Me, her duet with top three finalist, Joshua Ledet. I hope she also does her excellent versions of Whitney’s I Have Nothing and Mariah Carey’s My All.

Tickets to American Idol Live Tour 2012 are a pricey lot: P10,000, P9,500; P7,500, P5,500, P3,500, P2,000 and P800. I wish they cost less but the Idols promise to perform at their best and Jessica’s homecoming show should make it worth the price of admission. Tickets are available at Ticketnet outlets at all SM Department Stores.

Still on concerts by visiting artists. Those of you who like bluesy rock and roll might want to check out Joe Bonamassa who will perform with his band at One Esplanade in Mall of Asia on Sept. 25. This is in support of the release of his latest album Driving Towards The Daylight and of his video Bonamassa: Beacon Theater Live From New York on DVD/Blu-Ray. The latter debuted in the Billboard DVD chart at No. 3, just under Adele and Iron Maiden.

Bonamassa is a blues rock star, guitar hero and singer/songwriter who has worked with the biggest names in the business. He started performing with the legendary B.B. King when he was only 12 years old. He formed the band Black Country Communion with Glenn Hughes of Deep Purple; Jason Bonham of Foreigner; and Derek Sherinian of Dream Theater.

Bonamassa’s concert is presented by The Roadhouse Manila Bay and sponsored by Tiger Beers. Tickets are priced at P4,000 and P2,500 and are now available at SM Tickets.