Rico Blanco: ‘I don’t monopolize the microphone’

An Ati-Atihan in Singapore come November 16? Anything’s possible, especially with Rico Blano channeling his Fiesto Bandido persona when he headlines the Sundown Festival there, along with other acts from 8 Asian countries.

And with Singapore being a melting pot of ethnicities, expect the international music festival to celebrate Asia’s diversity and culture.

When he carries the Philippine flag in this 8-hour, nonstop festival, Rico intends to introduce his latest alter ego for the first time outside of the country.


Designated cheerleader

But it won’t be just about him, even if the former Rivermaya frontman has been called upon to be the designated “cheerleader” of the fiesta. 

“When I do a show, a concert, it’s one big fiesta, one big party with everyone in the venue—whether it’s the technician on stage or it’s the audience or it’s the security manning the doors… it’s one big party with them and I want everybody to enjoy. It just happens that I’m the one holding the mic,” he told Yahoo Philippines OMG!.

To cater to non-Filipino audience, Rico turns to his longstanding performance mantra: “I don’t monopolize the microphone. I always enjoy it when I hear the audience singing along. I don’t monopolize the dancing either.”

A mostly Pinoy repertoire

For the last two decades, the 40-year-old musician has churned out hit after great hit including, among others, "Ulan,” "Awit ng Kabataan" Kisapmata” and “Panahon na Naman” with Rivermaya  and “Yugto” and “Your Universe” as a solo artist.

As he pledged to sing more Filipino songs in the festival, the audience can probably expect those classics in his set list.

“We would play mostly English songs and infuse a couple of Filipino songs. But this time around it's a festival to celebrate music from different countries in the region so I will probably (be doing) mostly Filipino songs.”

‘You better be good’

Rico recalls a moment a couple of years back which made him realize why Filipino musicians are among the best in the world.

“I remember being asked by a Thai journalist after playing MTV Asia Awards in Thailand in 2006. I was still with Rivermaya and we performed ‘You'll Be Safe Here.’ Pagbaba ng stage in-interview niya ko; he said he liked the performance. And I said, ‘There's more from where I came from. Visit the Philippines.’”

But for the solo artist, being consistent is a lot of work.

“We try to do our best to uphold that perception. Huwag mapahiya. Pilipino 'to e. Baka nga mas mataas ang expectations nila sa atin. 'Philippines? You better be good!'”

On Asian neighbors

Rico is set to perform with other bands from Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines, the lineup composed of Rocksteddy, Screw, D=OUT, AOA, Bosco Wong, Shao Yu Han, Yoga Lin, Nidji and No More Tear.

Rico is particularly looking forward to meeting Indonesia’s Nidji.

“When we toured Indonesia years back, they were massively popular. And we already did a show in one of the huge universities there. We did a show back-to-back with them. I never met them but they were phenomenal. Everyone was dressed the way they were dressed,” he said.

“I'd like to see how they're doing now. I'm excited to see how their music has matured.”

Lessons from K-Pop

As for the invasion of K-Pop, which some have dismissed as hype, the musician reminds its fellow artists to learn from its success.

“I think we shouldn't hate Korea because their music is immensely popular. They really invested a lot in their music. They have a certain boldness in their beat. It's a nice lesson for the rest of the world how a certain country can support their industry for it to become a strong player in the global scale. Which Korea has done not just in music but in other industries as well, like Samsung, Hyundai. So it's a good example of foresight and planning.”

The fifth staging of the music festival happens on November 16 at the at the F1 Pit Building, Marina Promenade in Singapore.

By Luigene Yanoria | Yahoo Southeast Asia Newsroom