Asia’s Diamond Soul Siren Nina is set to return to the Newport Performing Arts Theater on September 24 for NINA XX: The Repeat, bringing a refreshed concert experience following the overwhelming response to her 20th-anniversary celebration.
Joined by vocal powerhouse Thor Dulay and former Freestyle frontman Top Suzara, the upcoming show is helmed by director Calvin Niera and promises to be more than a simple repeat of Nina’s original anniversary concert.
In response to fan demand, the repeat show will feature newly integrated numbers in the setlist, surprise guest performances, and memorable collaborations, including Nina and Thor’s iconic rendition of “The Closer I Get to You.”
From physical albums to streaming
During the mediacon, Nina, Thor, and Top reflected on how dramatically the music industry has changed since the release of Nina’s landmark Nina Live! album.
Nina shared that while the rise of digital platforms has made music more accessible and eliminated the grueling schedule of endless promotional mall tours, she still misses the personal connection that came with meeting fans face-to-face, particularly during autograph signings and promotional appearances.
Thor recalled the old-school grind of promoting music, sharing how artists would visit as many as seven radio stations in a single day while navigating Manila traffic.
He encouraged younger artists to embrace the opportunities provided by digital platforms such as TikTok, using them to their advantage in promoting their music and reaching new audiences.
Top, meanwhile, pointed out the double-edged sword of the digital era. While artists can release music more easily than ever, the sheer volume of content competing for attention has contributed to increasingly shorter audience attention spans.
He also cautioned against allowing artificial intelligence to replace the human element in music, emphasizing the importance of warmth, emotion, and authenticity in an artist’s work.
Nina, Thor, and Top speak on concert etiquette
The performers also addressed the growing conversation surrounding concert etiquette, particularly the practice of recording and uploading entire concert performances online.
Referencing recent online discussions raised by fellow artist Ice Seguerra, the trio expressed appreciation for short social media clips and promotional snippets that allow fans to share memorable moments from live shows.
However, they spoke against the uploading of full-length concert recordings.
Top emphasized that distributing entire performances online can hurt ticket sales, trigger copyright strikes, and undermine the significant financial, creative, and logistical efforts invested by the artists and production team.
Thor and Nina likewise encouraged fans to respect the craft and the live experience by putting their mobile phones down and allowing themselves to fully enjoy the music in the moment.
Nina admires SB19 and BINI
Looking at today’s music landscape, Nina also shared her admiration for some of the country’s leading P-pop acts, particularly SB19 and BINI.
She praised SB19 for their vocal abilities and artistry, envisioning a soulful collaboration inspired by the vocal-driven style of Boyz II Men and the classic duet “One Sweet Day.”
Nina also expressed her admiration for BINI, highlighting the group’s vibrant energy and dynamic performances. She suggested that their style could lend itself to a high-energy collaboration inspired by the iconic performances of Destiny’s Child.
Special guests and a fresh concert experience
Adding to the excitement, NINA XX: The Repeat will feature special guest performances from Top Suzara, Thor Dulay, and Christian Bautista, bringing together some of the country’s most recognizable voices for one special evening.
As final rehearsals continue, Nina and her guests are preparing to deliver a concert that combines the nostalgia of timeless OPM classics with the energy and excitement of contemporary live entertainment.
NINA XX: The Repeat happens on September 24 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater.
Limited tickets left: premier.ticketworld.com.ph
The post Nina Promises New Numbers, Special Guests in ‘NINA XX: The Repeat’ appeared first on MANILA CONCERT SCENE.
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