Ebe Dancel, renowned singer-songwriter, will return to the stage with The Manila String Machine: The Repeat Concert on November 15, 2025, at the New Frontier Theater in Manila. The concert, directed by Paolo Valenciano, will feature a 20-piece orchestra led by Chino David and a 20-piece orchestra, marking Dancel’s 25th year in music. The event will showcase Dancel’s legacy as a solo artist and as the lead singer/principal songwriter behind Sugarfree, showcasing his timeless hits and new songs. Dancel’s first run was sold out, and the second staging promises to showcase his legacy.
“I’ve had a long love affair with orchestras, dating back to my days with Sugarfree,” Dancel shares. “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 setlist, he reveals, will strike a careful balance between nostalgia and discovery. “I want it to be a mix of old and newer songs. I thought of my audience mainly when I chose songs from the Sugarfree catalog, but I also want them to experience the new songs with an orchestra.”
The repeat concert is also Ebe’s way of deepening his connections further with trusted collaborators. “Paolo [Valenciano] is a dear friend. I greatly respect him as a concert director, so he was my only choice to do this show again. For me to work on something this big, I need to be able to trust the guys running the show fully. Hence, Paolo Valenciano, and as musical director, Chino David.”
Tickets for Ebe Dancel with The Machine String Machine: The Repeat Concert go on sale on August 30, 2025, at 12 pm via Ticketnet online and all authorized Ticketnet outlets nationwide.
Ebe Dancel stands as one of OPM’s most enduring voices. From his early days as frontman of Sugarfree to his acclaimed solo career, he has built a body of work defined by sincerity, emotional depth, and artistry. With multiple hit songs, award-winning albums, and sold-out shows, his legacy inspires generations of listeners—young and old, and everything in between.
