Nearly every concert-goer in the Philippines has a horror story about getting to the venue. Large event spaces like the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena, Araneta Coliseum, and the Philippine Arena inspire traumatic experiences of endless traffic, long walks from the parking lot, and maddening bottlenecks when trying to leave venues.
The lack of accessibility at large concert venues can greatly deter potential ticket buyers, as the stress of navigating disorganized systems often outweighs the event’s appeal. For example, ahead of P-pop girl group BINI’s February 15 concert at Philippine Arena, fans expressed hesitation in purchasing tickets due to concerns about the choice in venue. “Gusto ko bumili pero andami kong nabasang concert goers na na-trauma sa PH Arena,” says one Reddit user. “Hate ko tlga [sic] PH Arena haha,” says another user, “Hassle to the max.”
The concert venues aren’t the issue; fans recognize that these spaces are well-equipped with the right infrastructure to host large events. The MOA Arena, with its 20,000-seat capacity and prime location next to the mall complex, has become a top choice for artists like Indonesian singer-songwriter Niki and American dream pop band Cigarettes After Sex. The SMDC Festival Grounds in Parañaque City can accommodate a minimum of 50,000 people and has seen performances from alt-rock band Rivermaya and pop star Ed Sheeran, among others. Even with all the complaints against it, the Philippine Arena has hosted major acts like pop icon Olivia Rodrigo, as well as K-pop boy bands Seventeen and Stray Kids.
Access Nightmares
The main problem is accessibility. Getting to these venues can be a nightmare for many concert-goers, with traffic often reaching unbearable levels. The North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) often releases traffic advisories weeks ahead of a major concert at the Philippine Arena, warning concert-goers to allow for more time as they flock to the venue. The same issue can be seen with venues within Metro Manila, where clogged roads and severe traffic jams can trap fans in an endless gridlock.
While traffic is a staple of life in Manila, the commute to the Philippine Arena may be significantly shortened thanks to NLEX Air, a P70 billion elevated structure along NLEX designed to decongest vehicular traffic. “[NLEX Air] will resolve the issues of congestion along our main lanes,” says Metro Pacific Tollways Mobility Vice President Mark de Leon in an interview with The Philippine Star. Although the project has the potential to be a practical solution to the traffic problem, its official timeline has yet to be announced.
The overwhelming accessibility issues surrounding these venues leave many concert-goers hesitant to even purchase tickets. While the facilities themselves are top-notch, the stress of navigating hours of traffic, long walks, and chaotic crowds can quickly overshadow the excitement of the event. Until this situation improves, many will continue to weigh the hassle against the thrill of the concert, often deciding the effort isn’t worth it.
