Singer-songwriter Ebe Dancel is set to mark his 25th year in music with Ebe Dancel: The Repeat Concert, happening on November 15 at the New Frontier Theater. This return to a major stage will feature the Manila String Machine, bringing orchestral weight to some of the most defining songs in his career.
Following the sold-out success of the concert’s first run alongside the Manila String Machine back in February 2020, the second staging doubles as a 25th anniversary milestone, pulling from Dancel’s deep well of material as both a solo artist and the frontman of alternative rock band Sugarfree.
Known for penning hits like “Burnout,” “Mariposa,” “Hari ng Sablay,” “Bawat Daan,” and “Dapit-hapon,” he has built a reputation on honest storytelling that has shaped modern Filipino songwriting. His path from playing in small venues like The ‘70s Bistro to becoming a fixture of the country’s live circuit underscores the arc of a songwriter who carved his space outside of trends. For Dancel, the night is designed as both a celebration and a reflection, tracing the longevity of his songwriting across decades and projects.
“I’ve had a long love affair with orchestras, dating back to my days with Sugarfree,” Dancel says in a press statement. “As a solo performer, I did a show with the Manila String Machine exactly two weeks before our government announced the lockdown due to Covid. To be back onstage with them now, with fans in front of me, feels like a full circle moment.”
The concert will feature a 20-piece orchestra led by Hale violinist and arranger Chino David, while concert director Paolo Valenciano takes on directorial duties. Valenciano has previously helmed landmark shows including the Eraserheads’ 2022 reunion and Gary Valenciano’s One Last Time concert in 2024.
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