MARTIN Nievera is having a digital concert with Lani Misalucha entitled “New Day” and he says the title came from him. “All of us involved in the show suggested titles and they chose mine,” he says in the virtual presscon held last Friday by Anna Puno of Starmedia who’s producing the show with TFC.

It also happens to be Ms. Puno’s birthday so everyone greeted her. The virtual concert will be held at The Theatre at Solaire and streamed worldwide on KTX.ph, IWantTFC, TFC IPTV on June 5 8 PM/ PST/US and on June 6 8 PM/ Manila time, with tickets priced at P2,500 for VIP and P1,200 for regular.

So why did they choose “New Day” as the title?

“E, di ba, kasi ‘yan ang hinahanap ng lahat ngayon?” says Martin. “We’re all waiting for a new day na wala ng lockdown, wala ng mask, wala ng maraming bawal. We want a New Day where we can go out and do the things that we used to do. We can hug each other without fear that we would get sick. That’s what we are all hoping for, a brand New Day so we can all move forward again. It’s a perfect title, specially for Lani after lahat ng pinagdaanan niya lately.”

How will it be different from the other concerts he had during this pandemic?

“Lani and I want to go back to the basics like what we used to do. Ayoko ‘yung ginagawa kong shows during the pandemic na minus one lang. This is supposed to be an inspiring show, so we need to go back to doing a show with a live band, with Louie Ocampo and real musicians, directed by Paulo Valenciano. Hope this will really start a New Day for performers and musicians. Also, the whole world will be watching via TFC. We will have Nonoy Zuniga, Rey Valera and Marco Sison among our guests so we, as performers, ganado lahat kasi we haven’t done a show like this since the pandemic.”

Their show will be taped as live, so that means they will be performing without a live audience but in front empty chairs in Solaire.

“Yes, it will have to be taped as live to avoid technical problems that might happen during live stream, lalo na nga we have different timelines. That’s how we do shows now, kasi bawal pa ang live audience, but it doesn’t mean that would lessen the quality of our performance. Actually, way back, we used to do TV specials in the same way, without an audience.

“What’s nice with the setup now is that when you watch us, it’d feel like we’re singing just for you. With the gadgets we have now, you can watch on your big screen TV, your i-pad or even your cellphone and it’s like you’re just being on the stage with us. You can watch us with your whole family and you don’t even have to dress up, or wear shoes, you can just sit back and relax. And you can even watch us while you’re relaxing in your bathtub.”

Lani admits she is now in better shape after she got sick. How will he help Lani in their concert? “Are you kidding. Even with one eye, one ear, one hand, Lani can still out sing all of us. I love performing with her because she makes you sound so good. I learn her breathing, her tone, her notes. Iniisip mo na, sana, mahawa ka sa magic niya, para tumaas din ang boses ko and lumawak ang range ko so I will be a better singer.”

He’s really close to Lani. “Lani and her husband and I, we’re family. When I’m in Las Vegas, they offer me their house for me to stay in. I can go to them whenever I have a problem. I’m so proud of Lani that she’s able to think positive, put on a happy face and perform in spite of what she’s going through. She just loves her craft. Her spirit and her will to perform are so strong, so I’m really very proud of her. I wish people going through some problems can learn from her on how to cope and survive.”

What songs will they do for the concert?

“We will do everything from Broadway to Michael Buble. But we’ll make sure we’ll do songs that can inspire and uplift the spirits of the audience, specially now that anxiety is rampant because of the pandemic. We want to make the whole show very positive.”

And what does he miss the most during this time?

“Oh I miss going out, traveling, touring and doing live shows in different parts of the world. I miss being with the audience when they go backstage after the show for meet and greet. I love hearing what they have to say about the show, how much they enjoy the concert. But now, we cannot do that, so let’s all pray this crisis really ends soon so we can go back to the normal lives we used to have.”