Entertainment

Fil-Am Bamboo set for US, Canada concert tour with KZ Tandingan

manilateam March 29, 2023

For the first time, Kapamilya artists Bamboo and KZ Tandingan will embark together on an American and Canadian concert tour in April.

“It’s the first time we’re on a tour,” said Bamboo, a Filipino American who migrated to San Francisco Bay Area when he was 10 and whose real name is Francisco Gaudencio Lope Belardo Mañalac, during a recent online media conference for the announcement of their North American concert tour.

KZ said that she’s honored to be part of the show in the US and Canada. “I feel very excited. I’m lucky to have been chosen to join the tour with coach Bamboo. Siguro if there’s something to expect from us, every time we go on stage, it’s always high energy, in our performance. So yun na lang talaga ang kailangan nilang abangan when they go to our shows. After watching wala na silang matitirang energy dahil ilalabas na namin lahat.”

Bamboo and KZ will kick off the show at the Enso Event Center in Vancouver, Canada, on April 14; Snoqualmie Casino in Seattle, Washington, April 16; Fantasy Springs Resort and Casino in Palm Springs, California, April 22; Hard Rock Live in Sacramento, California, April 23; and Jefebet Event Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, April 28.

“KZ and I take a lot of pride in our live shows. At the end of the night, people were sweating. They were just immersed in our shows. They didn’t feel like they were watching the show. Furthermore, they feel like they’re part of the show,” said Bamboo.

“And that’s something we both take pride in it. We bring it every single night. So I’m just happy to be sharing this with KZ as well.

“Iba yung nagto-tour ka sa ibang bansa eh. It’s a different time. I always call it a fox home? Parang you sort of spend the time together. And that creates certain bonds that affect the playing of music as well.

“The first gig is always the shakiest one. But when the ball starts rolling, Man, it’s a beautiful thing. So I’m excited,” said the Filipino-American musician.

Bamboo also stated that the team will have no musical director when they go on tour in the US.

“We’re going with my band. So we don’t have a musical director. It’s a collaborative team from our process. Luckily enough, it’s a band that KZ’s familiar with as well. We also share the same layers. So we’re one big happy village,” he said.

Asked to describe KZ as a singer, Bamboo said: “I just want to say she’s a true artist. She has visions of what she wants. That’s the best I think I can say,” he also said.

Reacting to Bamboo’s statement, KZ commented: “He’s a true icon. He has paved the way for all local artists na gustong habulin yung pangarap namin sa music, especially the artists who don’t necessarily follow the mold for artists dito sa Pilipinas. So coach Bamboo paved the way for all of us. That it’s okay to be different and show who you truly are as an artist.”

Following the international concert tour, Bamboo and KZ will return to their coaching roles in “The Voice Kids” on ABS-CBN.

“We’re sort of in the middle of the process (for The Voice Kids),” said Bamboo, adding that the show should go live when they get back to Manila.

Bamboo and KZ also shared their thoughts about the kids who auditioned in the current season of the reality show, together with coach Martin Nievera.

“Every season is different and I really enjoy it. I enjoy working with the kids I’ve been in the business for a while, so to be able to guide our young artists, that’s a gift in itself,” said Bamboo.

“As a teacher to these kids, you learn as well. They are so immersed in music. Malawak na ang taste nila. Before it used to be very different. They’re coming in with a lot of knowledge,” he added.

KZ said: “We always tell the kids to have fun on stage. Kasi at this point they are still trying to figure out what they want to be so sometimes, ino-overthink nila yung performance they have to sound in a certain way or sing like the artist singing the original song.”

“Sometimes they forget to have fun on stage and that’s important that the audience would be able to connect with them, that you are having fun on stage. We tell them to just relax and enjoy. Let the story tell through you,” she also said. (Robert Requintina/Manila Bulletin)