Music Roundup–-a summary of upcoming and previous events and happenings in the music scene abroad and in the Philippines plus music-related articles in the Philippine blogosphere from last week and this upcoming 1st week of April 2008.

What to watch out for next week? Upcoming events include a popular musical play plus performances from U2 and Toto. Aside from that, a music-reality TV show will premiere this week. World’s top-rated competition shouldn’t even be missed.

There are also updates about Lani Misalucha, who got an award in Las Vegas, and the papaya dance craze which is now hitting the US.

THIS WEEK

On Stage / Concerts / Musical

• U2 Live in 3D – Not live but still Filipino fans will got to experience a real U2 concert in 3D starting April 1 at the SM Mall of Asia(MOA) IMAX Theater and at SM City North Edsa D-Cinema. Tickets are priced at P500 (IMAX) and P P350 (SM-D). For ticket reservation or for more information about this experience, you can call 556-0242 (IMAX) and 4420060 (SM-D) or e-mail imax@smcinema.com.

• Toto Live in Manila! - The best musicians in the planet according to Eddi Van Halen will be performing live in front of the Filipino audience at the Araneta Coliseum on April 3 at 8p.m. Tickets at PhP 4410 (Patron VIP), 3885 (Patron), 2835 (Lower Box), 1785 (Upper Box A), 840 (Upper Box B), and 525 (Free Seating. For inquiries, you can call TicketNet Hotline at 911-5555.

• Altar Boyz -This off-Broadway musical about a heavenly guy-group on the rise to stardom is expected to be a crowd pleaser, for sure: a harmless, non-stop good time, perfect for kids and teens and adults. Catch it at OnStage, 2/F Greenbelt 1, Ayala Center Makati from April 4 – 27, 2008. Tickets are available at all TicketWorld outlets–P 550.00 (Orchestra Center), P 350.00 (Orchestra Side), and P 250.00 (Balcony). For more details, you can call 887-0710.

On TV

• Pinoy Idol - The very first Pinoy Idol will premiere this week. Catch the much-awaited audition footages and see who have the chance make it to the finals. Who will be the first Pinoy Idol? Catch its premiere this April 5, Saturday on GMA 7 after Pinoy Records.

• American Idol - Chikezie is out. Only nine finalists left in the competition this week — Kristy Lee Cook, David Archuleta, Brooke White, David Cook, Ramiele Malubay, Jason Castro, Syesha Mercado, Michael Johns and Carly Smithson.

MUST READ / MUST SEE

• Edu Manzano’s Papaya dance is now hitting the US. Proof? Check out Makoy’s post or the video posted by FalseVoice (the youtube account or the person behind Charice Pempengco’s fame over the web)

• Lani Misalucha got an award from the recently concluded 27th Annual Best of Las Vegas poll conducted by The Las Vegas Review-Journal. She’s tie with Celine Dion for being the best singer in Vegas this year. More details here…