Countries with better, bigger, and more competitive concert venues have reaped economic benefits, especially with the massive and significant influence of popular international acts like pop superstar Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour and Coldplay’s World Tour in consumer behavior and spending.
Driving tens of
thousands of ‘Swifties’ and concert enthusiasts, the success of these concerts
was an economic stimulus for countries
worldwide, including Southeast Asian countries such as Singapore and
Japan. Filipino fans alike had to spend
big and travel miles to watch the exclusive performance of superstar Swift in
Singapore’s National Stadium while others went to Japan’s Tokyo Dome and
Sydney’s Accor Stadium in Australia. The massive concert gigs boosted the
respective country’s economies, benefitting entertainment, hospitality, retail,
and transport industries significantly.
While Singapore’s strategy for a Southeast Asia exclusive Swift performance
piqued interest and likewise piqued its neighboring countries, the strategic
move sparked conversations and brought to light what the Philippines can
improve on in terms of concert venues.
1. Location is key
The Philippines
doesn’t lack in big venues. In fact, it boasts of venues that can rival
Singapore’s National Stadium and Japan’s Tokyo Dome. Accessibility to the
location as well as public transportation and nearby commercial establishments
are key.
2. Concert Experience
Photo credit to Stanley Quek. An empty
Singapore National Stadium, viewed from the front stage.
Singapore’s
pride, the National Stadium, has innovative features such as the world’s
largest free-spanning dome, a retractable roof and comfort cooling technology
for spectators’ convenience. Its innovation, strategic location, and efficiency
bring positive and immersive experiences for enthusiasts and concert fans,
making it a magnet for entertainment acts from all over the world. A similar
concert venue and experience is something that Filipino concertgoers are hoping
the country can replicate.
3. World-class concert amenities and
facilities
Accessing
the venue's amenities and facilities should offer a premium music experience
for concert enthusiasts or convenience in a sporting event.
Architectural “Eyecon” SM Mall of
Asia Arena prides itself on having exceptional world-class amenities unique in
the Southeast Asia region. –Photo from SM MOA Arena official
website
FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 held in SM Mall of Asia Arena – Photo from SM MOA Arena official
website
Take for example the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena – a flexible indoor arena
developed in 2012 by leading integrated property developer SM Prime – that has been a top-of-mind venue
for all sorts of events and offers a unique concert experience. With a full
house seating capacity of 20,000, it has been a haven for thrilling sports events,
remarkable OPM shows, and unforgettable international superstar performances.
Meanwhile, the SMDC Festival
Grounds in Parañaque City is likewise an enormous outdoor
venue that can accommodate at least 50,000 people. Ed Sheeran’s Mathematics
Tour and Rivermaya The Reunion were among the performers that have graced the
stage recently.
4. Achieving Filipinos’ concert
dreams
One of the most forward-looking plans of SM Prime is its
360-hectare smart city development which is envisioned to bring in a
centerpiece to the country’s entertainment and sporting events – larger in
capacity and a more enhanced venue infrastructure that would attract legendary
icons in the entertainment scene and compete against Southeast Asia and the
world’s best. It will feature an estimated 70,000-capacity stadium and concert
arena connected to one of the island’s main destination paradises called Central
Park. The sizable arena is envisioned to be the Philippines’ biggest concert
venue, with world-class facilities and sustainable features, comparable to
other big concert venues worldwide. Once that’s built, Filipinos won’t have to
fly overseas because they can watch top-tier performances right from the
comfort of their home country.
An artist’s render, visual sketch of the proposed concert
venue at Pasay 360 project.
Without a doubt, Pinoys live and
breathe entertainment shows. In fact, Filipinos are the 4th top
concert spenders in Asia-Pacific according to digital payments company Visa,
proof of how passionate we are about concerts. By
investing in the development of modern, smart, and accessible concert venues,
Filipino concert enthusiasts can continue to embrace and celebrate live
performances with the convenience, comfort, and enjoyment they deserve. Beyond
entertainment, well-curated, smart, and innovative concert facilities can further
drive economic benefits to the Philippines’ national and local economies,
including ancillary local spending in retail, tourism, and hospitality.
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