Lukas Graham to perform live in Manila on October 22, 2023

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Singer-songwriter Lukas Graham is set to perform live in Manila on October 22, 2023 at the New Frontier Theater. 

Lukas Graham became one of the first 25 acts to enter Spotify’s Billions Club. ‘7 Years’ is the remarkable story of a poem – a global multi-Platinum #1-hit song with no classic pop hook but a life-changing message to tell of family, friendship and growing older – that paved the way for a Worldwide Danish pop sensation and an unimaginable rise to fame of one of the sincerest songwriters of the 21st century.

‘7 Years’ was released in the Autumn of 2015. It wasn’t a hit over night but a timeless classic. Eventually, Lukas Graham took the stage with memorable performances on some of the biggest American talk shows hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, James Corden, Conan O’Brian, Ellen DeGeneres and Seth Meyers. It was primetime pop poetry that skyrocketed the song and artist into a global phenomenon.

To this day, the official music video for ‘7 Years’ has more than 1,4 billion views on Youtube while the Billion Club-hit is closing in on 2 billion streams on Spotify. The massive success was followed by another milestone: the self-titled international debut album!

From humble beginnings in a Copenhagen hippie commune to sharing the red carpet with the likes of Adele, Justin Bieber and Beyoncé in Hollywood, Lukas Grahams honest reaction, when talking to The New York Times about the astonishing accomplishment, was “Completely surreal”.

Lukas Graham made the headlines again with the release of ‘Love Someone’ also announcing the highly anticipated ‘3 (The Purple Album)’. While the debut album was dedicated to Lukas’ late father, new beginnings began to unfold with ‘Love Someone’. Engaged to his long-time girlfriend and now a father himself, the theme revolved around “the kind of love I’m feeling that I’ve never felt before”.

With an international career, spanning over more than seven years, the singer-songwriter’s journey of self-discovery was portrayed into the words and songs that would become his most honest work to date: ‘4 (The Pink Album)’, inspired by his daughters’ favourite color.

Lukas Graham has toured over the years selling out shows and tours across Europe, North America and Asia - engaging and enchanting audiences with both highly energetic and captivating performances wherever he goes.

Lukas Graham’s concert in Manila will really be a night to remember. Promoted by Midas Productions and KDR Music House. Tickets at ticketnet.com at 4925 (VIP) / 4175 (Orchestra) / 4070 (Loge) / 3655 (Balcony 1) / 3105 (Balcony 2). Tickets are currently on sale.

On October 22, Lukas Graham will be joined by fellow Universal Music artist, Juan Karlos, whose song, “Ere”, recently made history as the first Filipino song to appear on the Spotify Global Chart.

For more details and updates about the concert please check the official website and Facebook Page of Midas Promotions at https://midaspromotions.com/ and https://www.facebook.com/midaspromotions

Ben&Ben push the mental health discussion forward with “Lunod” music video

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The MV is accompanied by an EP release featuring multiple versions of the track, and an exclusive launch of Lunod-themed café

It doesn’t always have to be sink or swim when it comes to mental health.

Ben&Ben chronicle the experience of drowning in torrential distress and anxiety on the music video of their new single “Lunod.” Directed by award-winning filmmaker Jerrold Tarog (Heneral Luna, Sana Dati), the visual narrative pushes the discussion forward with its metaphorical depiction of individuals trying to keep their head above water and find their way out of a dark, harrowing tunnel.

“The music video is a deeply introspective and symbolic interpretation of the song, which is all tied in together from the concept and writing, down to the location,” lead vocalist, guitarist and Lunod chief songwriter Paolo Benjamin explains. “In the video, the song is narrated as the band, with Zild and juan karlos, move deeper and deeper into the tunnel slowly—losing breath, then in the latter half taking powerful strides to move out of it. This signals a ‘rebirth’ into a new, more mature version of the self.”

The cinematic visuals were shot at the El Deposito water reservoir, an underground location known for its historical significance to the events that lead to the Philippine Revolution, Philippine-American War, and World War II.

“Lunod” serves as the band’s reunion project with Jerrold Tarog, who helmed the music video for their 2018 track “Susi,” off the historical epic drama, Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral. “We love collaborating with visionaries in their fields, and so it was a dream working with him,” the acclaimed folk-pop group reveals.

Ahead of the music video release, the nine-piece collective dropped a live acoustic performance of “Lunod” last month. The version, which features collaborators Zild and juan karlos, strips down the bluesy, classic rock arrangements of the original for a more subdued take. The intimate interpretation of the song is part of an exclusive EP release featuring multiple iterations of “Lunod” in various formats, including an extended version of the track.

“The multiple versions for ‘Lunod’ were intended to bring a full listening experience to our listeners; for them to hear what more could be brought out of the song,” Ben&Ben shares in a statement. “We decided to release for streaming the acoustic jam of ‘Lunod,’ the extended version in the music video.”

Aside from the EP, ‘Lunod’ received a remix treatment from hip-hop artist Zelijah, who channeled his struggles with mental health on the production level, and even added a rap verse to convey the mental strains that he went through during the pandemic, and after being diagnosed as bipolar. The “Bipolar remix” of the track gives Zelijah the opportunity to put his own character into the song, and reinterpret it with ethereal sonic elements that blend trap, hip-hop, modern electronica, and rock music genres.

Apart from the ‘Lunod’ EP, Ben&Ben and its label, Sony Music Philippines, recently opened a Lunod-themed café at Latitude Bean+Bar in Malate, Manila as part of Ben&Ben’s Kuwaderno Pop-Up Café activities, which run from November 25-27. The pop-up café includes a Lunod art installation inspired by Zelijah’s Bipolar Remix, as well as other art activities related to mental health.

The Kuwaderno Pop-Up Café features several exclusive activities for Liwanag and ordinary folks to immerse themselves into Ben&Ben’s critically acclaimed album and upcoming digital concert. The two other exclusive pop-ups are located at Jess + Pat’s in Maginhawa, QC, and Kale Café in Fairview, QC.

Music fans can also purchase tickets to Kuwaderno: A Ben&Ben Online Concert directly at the three pop-up locations in Metro Manila. Set to redefine the concert-going experience with the biggest headline concert of their career, Ben&Ben’s upcoming digital concert will be integrating live music performance with multiple creative disciplines such as theatre, dance, orchestra, and technology to create an audio-visual spectacle like no other.

Ben&Ben’s “Lunod,” featuring Zild and juan karlos, is out now on all streaming platforms worldwide via Sony Music Philippines. Watch the music video here.

“Lunod” collaborators Zild and juan karlos are also set to join Ben&Ben on Kuwaderno: A Ben&Ben Online Concert, happening on December 05, 2021 (Sun) from 8pm to 11pm. Get your tickets here.

Juan Karlos returns from hiatus with arresting folk-rock tune “Boston”

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https://juankarlos.lnk.to/MVBoston

After taking an indefinite hiatus from social media, acclaimed artist Juan Karlos returns with a new single that showcases a more laid-back, stripped-down approach in terms of songwriting and production.

Released digitally, “Boston” revisits an old memory with a former flame, and runs with the fictional idea of “what could have been” if decisions in life were done differently. The song also documents that lingering bittersweet feeling of longing that, because of circumstances beyond control, cannot persist.

Going beyond his comfort zone, Juan Karlos recorded “Boston” alone in his home studio without his band. He tapped Dix Lucero for additional sax and flute parts and Noel De Brackinghe as his Recording, Mixing and Mastering Engineer, who made the material more intricately layered but tastefully sparse.

With subtle instrumentation that allows the sentiment of the song to soar and tug hearts, Juan Karlos’ latest single embraces his introspective side with creative whims and folk-rock sensibilities, while retaining a sense of hushed fragility.

“I’ve always wanted a simple treatment with a touch of complexity,” the young singer-songwriter shares in a statement. “Boston works in that vein, and it captures my personal vision as a musician.”

The song comes with a music video that features Juan Karlos performing in a moving pickup, with EDSA as his backdrop.The visual narrative shows the alt-pop artist singing with his guitar, as he traverses the sprawling urban stretch aimlessly, as if navigating places without a particular destination.

“Boston” is out now on all streaming platforms worldwide via Island Records Philippines and MCA Music Inc.

About Juan Karlos

Juan Karlos is a Filipino band and six-time Platinum awardee signed under MCA Music composed of JK Labajo on vocals and guitar, Jeriko Aguilar on guitar, Louise Bayas on bass, and Gian Hipolito on drums. Formed in 2018, the eponymous band went under several personnel changes and ultimately released their smash hit, “Buwan” in the same year.

Frontman JK Labajo shared that his solo music career is currently inactive. Hailing from Cebu, he first gained recognition as a finalist on The Voice Kids Philippines and went on to pursue a career in music and acting. Following the release of his albums under MCA Music, JK (2015) and JKL (2017), he realized that he has to stop settling and commit to what he really wants: to write, produce, and perform his own songs the way he hears it in his head and heart and be part of a band. Juan Karlos aims to “dream big or go home” and to make a mark in OPM and globally. “I want to be able to make a change, a difference,” he said. I want to show people the importance and beauty of music. I'm in music for the art, to earn in order to fund my daily needs and dreams, and for recognition so I can have reach and to be heard.”

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