I'm writing this just as the American group LANY wound up its phenomenal five-night concert stand at the Mall of Asia Arena and media has just announced K-pop superstar act Blackpink's
two-night shows on 25 and 26 March 2023 at the Philippine Arena.

Easily over 50,000 Filipino fans watched the LANY shows, and it's safe to say close to 75,000 if not 100,000 people will buy tickets to see Blackpink at the 55,000-capacity Philippine Arena.

These are only two of the dozens of international performing artists, most of them at the peak of their fame, who have made Manila a viable stop in their respective world tours.

Two things are much apparent: the kids who go to these concerts don't have money problems, and they buy tickets in advance.

This was not the case in my youth in the 1980s, when asking my parents for cash to catch a concert needed good timing, even if the tickets cost way cheaper than today.

These thoughts come to mind as Martin Nievera is set to perform at his 40th anniversary concert on 19 November at The Theater at Solaire.