Why these fans chose to watch LANY in Cebu
Upon collecting her luggage, Let joined her friends and took photos with one of the many tarpaulin standees that read “Welcome, LANY” at the baggage claim area of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport.
From the looks of it, the group flew in to catch the American pop-rock duo, who were scheduled to perform for three nights at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino (Oct. 13 to Oct. 15) as part of the “A Beautiful Blur” world tour.
We guessed right. And it was, apparently, Let’s first time in Cebu, so she wasn’t just excited to see one of her favorite acts perform; she also looked forward to discovering what the Queen City of the South had to offer.
“I have been to one of LANY’s past shows in Manila, but I think this is going to be something new for me because of the different surroundings,” she told Lifestyle. “We were planning to see the concert and, at the same time, go on a trip together. That’s why we decided to come here.”
A day prior to its Cebu outing, LANY hit a career milestone—“the biggest show of our lives”—at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan on Oct. 12. And while Let lives in nearby Pampanga, she felt that traveling to Cebu was still going to be a more pleasant experience than braving the notorious traffic going in and out of the Philippine Arena.
“‘Di na kami bagets!” she said, laughing. “I don’t think we would be able to keep up with the rest of the crowd there!”
Sightseeing on the side
At the entrance queue later at the venue, about half an hour before the first show, we spotted a longtime fan, Angelica Macalintal, wearing matching LANY shirts with her husband. The couple came all the way from Las Vegas, Nevada, where they’re now based.
It was her second LANY show in the Philippines and fourth overall. And like Let, Macalintal chose Cebu for convenience and to do some sightseeing on the side.
“Cebu is very special and has a different vibe,” said Macalintal, who first saw LANY live in 2017, back when the band was still doing mall shows and didn’t have the massive following it now has. She has also attended gigs in Las Vegas and Arizona.
“Actually, we already went on a day tour earlier and saw how beautiful Cebu is,” she said. “Nakagala pa kami.”
This is exactly what the recent partnership between promoter Live Nation Philippines (LNPH) and the Tourism Promotions Board hoped to achieve.
LANY is a consistent crowd-drawer in the country, filling the Smart Araneta Coliseum twice and SM Mall of Asia Arena eight times in the span of only six years. So given the history of sold-out concerts in the Philippines, bringing the band to Cebu felt like the perfect opportunity to highlight Cebu “as a prime destination, not only for tourists but also for international entertainment.”
Just the beginning
After all, Cebu has most of the requirements already covered. It’s centrally located and accessible. It has an international airport and an established tourism infrastructure. And with the construction of the SM Seaside Arena—set to have an estimated seating capacity of 16,000 upon its completion in 2025—TPB’s vision isn’t too far-fetched.
“Our shared goal with Live Nation is to elevate Cebu’s profile by hosting large-scale events that complement its natural and cultural attractions—all while boosting the local economy,” TPB chief operating officer Marga Nograles told Lifestyle.
For the executive, international concerts can be “unique platforms” that can help enhance the “tourism appeal” of a particular city or region. And shows like LANY’s, especially, she added, can help boost local and international visitor arrivals, hotel bookings and overall tourism receipts.
In line with the “Love the Philippines” campaign, the TPB—in collaboration with LNPH and other entertainment outfits—plans to continue such efforts, not only in Cebu, but in other places as well.
“This is just the beginning—we’re making sure to bring more international acts to our other destinations as well,” she said. “And when strategically aligned with our campaign, such events will highlight our vibrant culture and create memorable experiences for visitors.”
Coming from its massive show at the Philippine Arena, LANY in Cebu felt like a throwback of sorts to its earlier, smaller shows, where interactions with the audience were more intimate and spontaneous. But just the same, frontman Paul Klein and drummer Jake Goss brought the house down like they would any other venue.
For three straight nights, the two artists tirelessly regaled the impassioned Cebu crowd with singles like “XXL,” “Alonica” and “‘Cause You Have To”—all from “A Beautiful Blur,” the band’s fifth and latest studio album that inspired this concert tour.
Of course, the night wouldn’t be complete without some of the band’s biggest hits and fan favorites, including “Pink Skies,” “Thick and Thin,” “Malibu Nights” and “ILYSB.”
And when the distinct, water droplet-like intro of “Super Far” reverberated through the venue, the fans erupted in deafening cheers and sustained the energy with a resounding singalong.
Whole package
“We will remember this for the rest of our lives,” Klein told the audience.
When they weren’t onstage, Klein and Goss—despite their incredibly hectic schedule—still made time to immerse themselves in the local culture by going on a heritage tour around the city, with stops at landmarks like the Fort San Pedro, Casa Gorordo Museum and the National Museum Philippines-Cebu.
This mix of “historical heritage, stunning natural landscapes and vibrant urban scene,” Nograles pointed out, makes the province a “tourism powerhouse” and a “multifaceted destination.” “Add to that the warmth and enthusiasm of Filipinos, who are known for our love of music and entertainment, and you have a perfect environment for international events.”
Karencitta, the Cebuana singer-songwriter behind the 2019 hit fittingly titled “Cebuana,” couldn’t agree more. “Cebuano people are beautiful inside out,” said the artist, whom we spotted having her photos taken in front of LANY and Philippine tourism promotional backdrops outside the venue.
“The hospitality, the culture, the islands—it’s a whole package,” she said.
