It’s a wrap! History was made in Qatar as Philippine music legends – Sarah G and Bamboo – notched their first-ever international concert tour together in Doha on April 11.
Hordes of music fans thronged Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) for the historic collab concert headlining two of the titans in the Philippine music scene.
Setting the Doha stage ablaze, Sarah G lived up to her title as Popstar Royalty and Bamboo as Philippine Rock Icon as they sent fans into a frenzy with their energy-infused performances on that Friday night.
Both artists reigned supreme at their highly anticipated show that reached full capacity with 100% attendance of 8,000 concertgoers from the Filipino and other expatriate communities.
History-Making Concert
Presented by Visit Qatar and organized by Qabayan Radio 94.3 FM, the groundbreaking event aimed at showcasing the vibrant musical culture of the Philippines on a global stage.
The former plays a crucial role in promoting Qatar’s tourism by actively collaborating with government entities, while the latter is the only Filipino radio station in Qatar currently marking its five-year milestone in broadcasting service.
The Sarah G-Bamboo joint concert was a next-level anniversary celebration for the radio station, as a gesture of appreciation to its listeners – both Filipino citizens and other nationalities. The event was also held in partnership with Bo’s Coffee and Papa Johns.
Sold-Out Show
There was already a heavy demand when pre-sale tickets first went live via Q-Tickets, leaving many fans resorting to other ticketing options to secure slots.
According to the event production team, ticket sales surged rapidly, with an initial 25% sold within a mere 20 hours from opening online selling. They later announced more ticketing counters at Papa John’s and Bo’s Coffee Ramada outlets.
“All tickets, including those available for purchase at the gates, were completely sold out,” the organisers confirmed.
Powerful Collaboration
For the first time outside the Philippines, two of the biggest Filipino music icons joined forces for an impactful concert tandem.
“Popsters” or the legion of Sarah G fans and “Kamp Kawayan” for Team Bamboo expressed their all-out support to their celebrity idols since they first arrived together in Doha on April 9 until the concert night on April 11.
An eruption of cheers from the crowd ensued when both stars performed together some Original Pilipino Music (OPM) hits like “Kisapmata” and “214,” that were popularized by Rivermaya, the first band of Bamboo.
During the concert, Sarah G enthralled the audience with her unmatched talent, belting out her trademark songs “Tala” and “Ikot-Ikot,” among others. She also serenaded her non-Filipino fans with English songs like “Somewhere Only We Know” by Keane.
One of her esteemed celebrity guests was her husband Matteo Guidicelli, who supported her offstage, making the event even more special for their “AshMatt” fans. Bamboo conquered the stage next. He was remarkable in his nostalgic songs including “Tatsulok,” and “Noypi.” For non-Tagalog-speaking spectators, he sang “The Man Who Can’t Be Moved” by The Script and more.
Filipino Artistry
Doha-based multi-awarded Filipino artist Michael Conjusta made his pop art acrylic paintings for Sarah G, Bamboo, and Matteo. He presented his masterpieces to the celebrities, raising the bar of Filipino talent in the international stage.
Overwhelming Response
Syed Murtaza and Nitheesh Pushpangathan, from the Pakistani and Indian communities respectively, said that both Filipino artists delivered an incredible performance.
“Their voices sound so good to the ears. No wonder they wowed the crowd from start to finish,” Murtaza enthused.
“This isn’t just a typical concert. It’s a celebration of music, culture, and the indomitable bayanihan spirit of Filipinos,” said Prince William Aresgado, one of the VIP ticket holders.
“We are proud to witness history in the making,” added Mega Cervantez, a Filipino influencer and community leader. He was one of the concertgoers who availed of the free Metro pass issued exclusively by Qatar Rail for the concert.
In QatarSocialMedia online platform, many Filipinos shared their concert experiences as well. “It was worth it,” “We’re still overwhelmed by the show,” and “Overall, it was a blast performance,” said some of the netizens in the comments.
Multinational Support
Among the esteemed guests who graced the event were the Philippine Ambassador to Qatar HE Lillibeth Pono. She was accompanied by Embassy officials including Consul General Cassandra Sawadjaan, Vice Consul Monica Remsy Calangian, and Assistant Labor Attache Atty. Don Albert Philippe Pangcog.
Notable dignitaries also in attendance were Thai Ambassador HE Sira Swangsilpad, Singaporean Ambassador HE Wong Chow Ming, and Vietnamese Ambassador HE Tran Duc Hung.
Qatar as a Global Entertainment Hub
By leveraging events that celebrate cultural diversity and entertainment, Qatar Tourism amplifies the nation’s allure as a dynamic and inclusive destination.
The successful hosting of events like Sarah G x Bamboo Live in Doha in collaboration with Qabayan Radio, reflects Qatar’s commitment to providing top-notch experiences and serving as a premier destination for international events and entertainment.
(Photographs: Leo Bautista)
