TNT Boys set for first world tour

MANILA, Philippines — Despite failing to bring home the title in this year’s The World’s Best, Mackie Empuerto, Francis Concepcion and Keifer Sanchez, collectively known as the TNT Boys, have many reasons to still feel victorious. Besides being achievers in school, they are going on their first-ever international concert series.

Inspired by the success of their sold-out major concert at the Araneta Coliseum last November, the TNT Boys are all geared up for TNT Boys Listen: The World Tour which kicks off at Chabot College, Hayward California on April 23, followed by The Theatre at Ace Hotel, Los Angeles, California (April 25) and then Edmonton Expo Centre in Alberta, Canada (April 27). (For details, check out the TNT Boys’ official website at thetntboys.net).

“Tickets are selling fast,” shared Mackie, adding in the vernacular, “This is so unexpected and it’s an honor for us to be given this opportunity of holding our own concert abroad because this has been our ultimate dream and we didn’t expect this to happen this early. We are so thankful to God for this blessing.”

Apart from a carefully selected repertoire of songs, they have also prepared their spiels in English for their foreign fans and avoid talking too much if not necessary to take care of their voice/vocal cords.

“Hindi po kami nagpapasaway and we try to sleep as much as seven to eight hours para maging okey ang boses namin,” said Keifer. “Iba po talaga ‘yung pag-prepare namin kasi pupunta po kami sa mga ibat-ibang weather (conditions) so yung voice namin mararamdaman yung lamig. We are also studying our spiels and practicing the proper pronunciation para maging maganda yung diction namin sa pagkanta.”

The TNT Boys’ first single titled Together We Fly under TNT Records, which will be released this month, is also part of their set list.

Although performing abroad isn’t new to them, as they had appeared in The World’s Best, The Late Late Show with James Corden and Little Big Shots (US, UK and Australia versions), not to mention enjoyed the rare opportunity of meeting Hollywood stars like Ariana Grande, Drew Barrymore, James Corden and Steve Harvey, the TNT Boys admitted that they would still get butterflies in the stomach prior to a performance. The trio, who debuted 2017, had also performed for several heads of state including Pres. Rodrigo Duterte, Singaporean president Halimah Yacob and Papua New Guinea prime minister Peter O’Neill.

“I think it’s just normal,” said Francis. “But once we are on the stage and we see the crowd is enjoying, we start warming up.”

Their excitement became more apparent at the mention of their Fil-Am guest performers who have “made a splash in the US.” The boys said that they couldn’t wait to meet hip-hop dance group Str8jacket from World of Dance, musician Troy Laureta, pop and R&B singer Cheesa of The Voice and child prodigy Angelica Hale from America’s Got Talent.

“We are super excited to be performing with them, especially Angelica Hale kasi idol na idol namin siya. We are so thrilled to meet her in person,” Keifer said.

If you think TNT Boys are all work and no play because their plates are starting to get full after making waves here and abroad, then think again. Just like other young boys, Mackie, Keifer and Francis enjoy playing video games or Word Factory and watching funny memes together if and when their schedules permit. In the midst of it all, they were also able to squeeze in their studies and even received certificates of excellence in Math for Mackie, English for Keifer and Araling Panlipunan for Francis in a recent moving-up ceremony at the Christian Filipino Academy.     

Asked how do they reward themselves for a job well done, the trio replied, “We would play at Time Zone or we would buy new clothes.”

The TNT Boys, who never fail to showcase their versatility and individual strengths as singers, continue to astound fans with their newest cover song of Ariana’s hit Break Free uploaded recently on the TNT Versions YouTube channel. It has been earning thousands of views and praises from fans around the world.