Photo from Bruno Mars' Instagram account
Global superstar and singer-songwriter Bruno Mars is coming back to the Philippines! He is bringing The Romantic Tour to the Philippine Arena for a two-night show.
ABS-CBN News got the exclusive interview with Bruno at the Four Seasons Hotel in Soho, New York City. He took a day off from the four-night show at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, to sit down with the press and talk about bringing ‘The Romantic Tour’ to Asia.
“So excited,” Bruno said. “Obviously, my history growing up in Hawaii and my Filipino family. Being able to perform out there is like a dream come true.” This will be Bruno’s fourth visit to the Philippines -- his first Manila show was back in 2011, followed by 2018 and 2023 was the most recent.
The Romantic Tour is a solid two-hour show with an incredible 25-song setlist with songs from the new album, to fan favorites like “Just the Way You Are,” “That’s What I Like,” “Marry You,” “Die with a Smile,” and more. These songs aren’t easy songs to sing, and Bruno was showing off his vocal chops track after track. Not to mention, the dance moves and blockings all over the stage with his band and special guests Anderson.Paak and Silk Sonic.
“What happens for me is I lose myself. Me and my band. That's when it's not work anymore. I don't even know what I'm doing. I'm just gone. I'm performing for these beautiful people that showed up to watch me.”
READ: Bruno Mars returning to Manila next year for 2-night concert
From the very beginning, Bruno knew what he wanted the vibe of the show to be a serenade. That’s why he took charge of everything from the inception of the album to the staging the concert.
“From the beginning of the album, I said I want to call this album 'The Romantic'. I want to put together a collection of songs that celebrate love, the good side, the bad side, whatever it is. I know that's what I'm going to want to name the tour. Then it all starts building from there.”
In fact, he is the director of the whole show. “It's not that I wanted to be. It's just survival. I can't write a song and expect someone to show me how to feel.”
Aside from the Philippines, Bruno is also making stops in Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea and Japan.
But with his return to the Philippines, will he give in to the request of his Filipino fans and kababayans for him to sing a Filipino song?
Bruno said, “It’s coming!”
Not sure if I heard him right, so I had to ask again, “It’s coming?”
“It’s coming. It has to.”