Martin Nievera no longer ‘same cocky singer’ of old
At the peak of his career, Martin Nievera never had to worry about whether or not he could sell out a venue, big or small.
He was dubbed the “Concert King” for a reason. And while he didn’t really pay the title too much attention, there was a time when Martin did believe his own hype. Not anymore. Time and experience has mellowed him. The inevitable arrival of new artists confirmed what he knew all along: The only constant in life is change.
His last major solo concert was in 2013. The years that followed saw him focusing on more intimate shows at smaller venues. Now that he’s about to return to the big stage—at the Araneta Coliseum for his “The King 4ever” concert on Sept. 27—the 62-year-old OPM icon is excited, but also unusually anxious.
“Now I’m nervous because I haven’t done something like this for so long. I don’t have the same confidence. I don’t have the same strength of voice. I’m not the same cocky singer who thought he was all that—I’m a different guy now,” he told the Inquirer at a press conference.
What made him say that his voice is no longer as strong as before? That assessment, he said, comes from his observations of newer singers in the industry.
“What’s strong during my time, if you compare it to singers of today … I’m but a whisper. The way they blow you away with their talent and vocal acrobatics, which I don’t do. The people weren’t looking for acrobatics in the 1980s,” Martin said. “Will the audience of today be OK with the style and look of singers of yesterday?”
Legacy
With the popularity of social media, the music artists of today need not rely on traditional methods to promote their shows. “People who have gazillion followers online, they don’t need press conferences. They can just show up and the place is packed. That’s why I was against the idea of doing a big venue again. I didn’t think I could do that anymore, the way I used to,” he said.
Martin, however, is completely at peace with the reality of it. And he didn’t necessarily feel that doing smaller venues was a “step down.” “It doesn’t make me feel like I’m out of the game, or that I’m out of the loop. I’m still there. I’m still interested in the industry. I want to leave a legacy and be remembered for my music.”
Watching and listening to Martin sort of downplay his talent—as if his baritone isn’t one of the most recognizable on the local music scene—Ogie Alcasid couldn’t help but interject: “But no one sounds like you.”
Long overdue
Ogie felt that a major concert was long overdue for Martin. So through his entertainment company ATeam, he offered to produce it.
“They’re going to have to retrain me to become that concert performer again,” Martin said. “I trust them … And I don’t really have to worry about the numbers, the budget. I just have to keep my voice in shape.”
Directed by Paolo Valenciano and with musical direction from Louie Ocampo, “The King 4Ever,” will feature special guests, including Gary Valenciano, Regine Velasquez and Pops Fernandez. Visit ticketnet.com.ph.
At the end of the day, all the talk about venue or crowd sizes is immaterial, because Martin treats them all with equal devotion. “Some venues have more seats than others. Full or not full, it doesn’t matter. I can go up onstage sick, but performing is my cure,” he said. “It always makes me feel better. It’s my happy place.”
