Philippine rock icon Bamboo Mañalac is reuniting with his former band Rivermaya for what promises to be an epic concert in Dubai on October 11.
This is the first time that Mañalac and Rivermaya will play together on the same stage in Dubai in their 20-year history.
The last time Mañalac was in the emirate was in 2008 as a feature artist in the hugely popular Rakrakan music festival, which drew a crowd of 16,000.
He told tabloid! then of his plans to be “heard in the Gulf” and how he has abandoned his signature style of performing barefoot.
He’s gone a long way since then, doubling his already massive popularity by becoming one of the judges on the hit TV singing show The Voice of The Philippines.
Rivermaya vocalist and guitarist Mark Escueta said the band is excited to play in Dubai and share the stage with “our good friend” Mañalac. “We’re delighted that we will finally get the opportunity to play for our fans in the UAE,” Escueta said. “We’re all excited at what each of us brings to the table and to your ears,” said band member Norby David.
This week, Rivermaya received four nominations in the 2013 PMPC Star Awards for Music, shortlisted for Rock Artist of the Year, Duo/Group Artist of the Year, Rock Album of the Year and Album of the Year for their 2013 release Panatang Makabanda.
