Nyoy Volante on his first solo Dubai concert

Filipino artist Nyoy Volante, dubbed the Philippine’s King of Acoustic Pop, holds his first solo concert in Dubai, Acoustic Sessions with Nyoy Volante, on Saturday at The Music Room in Majestic Hotel, Bur Dubai.

The multifaceted singer-songwriter and musical director is known for hit singles such as Someday, Nasaan and You’re My You, What Do I Do, Ha?, and remakes of classic OPM hits such as Ipagpatawad, Bukas na lang kita Mamahalin, Each Day With You, Panalangin, Kahit Kailan, Panaginip, Narito Ka, Eto Na Naman, Beep-beep, Umagang Kay Ganda and Binibini.

Volante is also active in the musical theatre scene, having done lead roles in musicals such as Legally Blonde (with Nikki Gil), In The Heights (with Ima Castro) and Rock of Ages (with Vina Morales).

Volante’s participation last year in ABS-CBN’s Your Face Sounds Familiar Season 1, where he was a runner-up, showcased his versatility as an artist. It also brought him back to the spotlight and opened up several exciting opportunities. Volante was one of the mentors of the recently concluded We Love OPM: The Celebrity Sing-Offs and a guest judge in Showtime’s Tawag ng Tanghalan segment.

Ahead of his concert in Dubai tabloid! sat down with the 38-year-old singer and actor for a one-on-one interview.

What can Dubai fans expect from your show.

Definitely they will have a taste of my kind of music, acoustic love songs. I will also play a lot of fan requests, even if I’m not familiar with those song[s].

How do you find the Dubai fans?

In every country where I’ve performed the fans are very warm — fellow Filipinos who love and enjoy music. I’ve always had a beautiful experience every time I’m here in Dubai.

What’s in store for you for the rest of 2016?

Right now I have a TV show [as a judge of Tawag ng Tanghalan]. I’m actually doing a musical play in September, Jersey Boys, with Christian Bautista, Markki Stroem and Nino Alejandro. Of course, an album is on the way. I’m trying to finish it and hopefully it will be out soon. I finished most of the songs — I’ve written most of them — and just need to do the recording.

Who among the Filipino artists you want to collaborate with?

Fortunately for me, I’ve already worked with most or if not all of the people I want to work with. In the TV show We Love OPM, I was mentor of the Power Chords, which consisted of Kaye Cal, Marlo Mortel and Marion Aunor, and it would really be great if I would have a show with them. I really believe in the talent that they have. Second, it would be a great tribute to the group.

What are the challenges of being a mentor in We Love OPM: The Celebrity Sing-Offs?

First is really the schedule. You will have to sacrifice other events that you will not be able to attend. But it’s very rewarding because, first of all, the feedback is great. I think people enjoyed watching it so I’m satisfied. Honestly, I’m very very happy [with] We Love OPM because we can promote original Filipino music. I think it’s a very good move by ABS-CBN. I’m very happy to be part of it.

What tips can you give aspiring singers?

The best advice I can give is just to keep on doing your craft. Be very very loyal to your heart, because that is what’s going to propel you to success. Just fight for it, do it over and over again, and eventually it will really work out for you.

You recently got married. How’s married life so far?

The feeling is different when you have a wife. I’m very very happy. In the past few shows that I’ve done here in Dubai, I was alone. But now I have company. I love the feeling of travelling with her.

What’s your take on artists who are given an opportunity to record an album because they are popular and not because they have talent?

I really believe that every person has a right to do that. If their album sells, it means people support them. So if people want it, why should we stop them from recording it? So I don’t blame all these so-called non-singers for having an album because that is what their fans want. As long as it gets appreciated, I think it’s fair.

You are also quite active on social media, how do you handle haters?

Even non-celebrities have bashers. Like I said, each and every one has a right [to express what they feel], so I respect that. Of course, I would be better if people did not attack each other on social media because it doesn’t matter if we have different opinions. We don’t have to have the same opinion to be kind to each other. But that is as far as I can influence people on social media. Let’s just be kind to one another. But if you don’t want to, I can’t do anything about that.