After the successful launch of their EP titled Pagsibol, OPM idol group SB19 is now in the final stages of preparing for their upcoming concert titled SB19: Back in the Zone.
This comes after the success of their Global Live concert held on November 21, 2020, which was the first time the group mounted a virtual show for their fans.
Group members Stell, Pablo, Justin, Ken, and Josh talked to PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) and other members of the press on Wednesday, July 28, 2021.
In the interview, Justin said they made sure they have enough time to prepare for their upcoming concert.
He said, "Unang una sa lahat, siyempre, proper scheduling po. Inaayos namin yung oras namin, binibigyan talaga namin ng enough time para makapag-rehearse kami.
"Regarding sa song naman po, sa Pagsibol naman po, although magkasabay sila, magkasunod silang ire-release, yung preparation namin is inuna namin talaga yung Pagsibol before yung concert, para maayos po talaga namin yung mga songs dun.
"And then, later on, mapa-practice namin yun sa concert."
HANDS-ON
SB19 said that aside from preparing for their performances, they are also very involved in other aspects of the virtual concert.
Josh revealed that the group really invested their time and effort to show something new for their fans.
He told the press, "To be honest, let's say 80 or 90 percent po talaga parang kami rin yung nag-ano e, nag-prepare for the concert.
"Even the, alam niyo po yung pagda-direct nung mga LED, mga lights, mga kung anu-ano po. Pero siyempre meron pong help ng mga professionals.
"Pero siguro po, let's say sa creatives, si Justin po talaga lahat, yung mga scripts po namin and everything na ano, parang in charge po talaga, si Justin po ang umaasikaso.
"'Pag gusto po namin na mararamdaman nung manonood kung ano po yung prinepare namin, kasi siyempre yung perspective po namin parang alam na rin po namin paano kami manood ng concert.
"So gusto rin po namin na mas engrande rin po yung ipapakita namin, talagang galing sa puso at galing sa mga pinaghirapan po namin."
Justin also rose to the challenge of directing the whole show. But the SB19 vocalist refuses to take full credit, since a lot of other creatives helped them mount their upcoming concert.
He said, "Actually po, for this concert po, our bosses, yung mga higher-ups po namin, they asked me po if I want to direct the concert.
"Although it's hard po talaga kasi kailangan ko pong pagsabayin yung as a performer, yung kailangan i-prepare sa performances.
"Pero tinanggap ko po kasi it's an opportunity and an exercise for us to improve ourselves, para rin po marami akong matutunan for this experience."
Justin continued, "And ayun po, regarding sa directions with the concert, ang ginawa ko po is basically naglatag po ako ng program flow, nagbigay po ako ng guides with the professionals po, for example sa LED visuals, sa lighting, sa camera.
"So nagbigay po ako ng concept sa kanila. And hindi ko naman po yun magagawa with just me. Siyempre po, nagbigay lang ako ng concept, ng idea, ng guide lang po sa kanila.
"But they are the ones who executed it so ayun po, siguro makikita na lang nila yung result."
SB19: LEVEL UP
A'TIN, fans of SB19 can expect a total of 16 performances, some of which, as Pablo described "merong never heard, meron ding never seen."
Justin said their upcoming concert is a "level up" of what they have done before.
He further explained, "Masasabi rin po namin na parang ito yung level up na concert namin from our previous concerts po kasi mas napaghandaan namin in a way na may mga bago din po kaming songs ngayon...
"Unlike before na medyo naulit din po yung mga previous songs namin nung second concert namin since pandemic.
"Pero ngayon po parang mas fresh po talaga yung feeling at mas marami po kayong mae-expect na performances."
The group said their fans can expect performances from each member of the group.
Justin confirmed, "Sa amin sa Pagsibol and related sa song namin na 'What?' na we want to show our individuality and this time po mas makikita nila yung individual skills namin than the ano po...
"Since lagi na lang kami magkakasama, mostly of the performance na makikita niyo talagang group performances so ayun po, to show something new din."
Aside from their performances, SB19 said their fans can also expect a "level up" in the fashion department.
Stell said, "Ito talagang Back in the Zone, we make sure na talagang bagay lahat ng susuotin namin sa performance namin, na every costume is based on the concept of the song.
"And gusto namin kung ano yung kanta, yun talaga, bagay talaga. Mafi-feel nung audience kung ano yung message nung song hindi lang sa performance namin nakikita, kundi pati sa suot namin."
SB19's Back in the Zone concert will stream this August 1, 2021 on KTX.ph. Tickets to their concert are priced at PHP1,000 (General Admissions); PHP3,000 (VIP, which includes concert access, digital gifts, and concert merch; and PHP5,500 (VVIP, which includes access, digital gifts, concert merch, and exclusive attendance to a pre-show event).