THE highly anticipated reunion concert of Danish band Michael Learns to Rock (MLTR) here Friday night was abruptly cancelled by its Baguio promoter after its Manila producers reportedly demanded for a higher contract price.

Overtones, the Baguio promoter, and JP Entertainment, MLTR's agent, in Manila agreed to a P2.1 million contract price earlier.

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JP Entertainment however asked for a higher price of P3.7 million on Thursday night, or one night before the band's scheduled concert here, lawyer Rex Lampa told Sun.Star in a telephone interview.

"There was a unilateral cancellation of the contract. They were obviously in bad faith," Lampa said, adding that his client, represented by Joanifer Abubo of Overtones Bar, is determined to go after the concert's producers.

Overtones filed in Manila Saturday a petition for the issuance of a temporary restraining order. The petition was denied for lack of merit.

However, Lampa said his clients will pursue the complaint for breach of contract with damages.

In the meantime, Abubo said he and his partners are still hoping the concert will proceed.

Although a complaint was filed, they are still negotiating with the Manila agent. If this fails, he said, they will refund ticket payments.

The concert was supposed to be held at the Baguio Athletic Bowl, but the venue was transferred to the University of Baguio gym later. In anticipation of an upcoming typhoon, Abubo said, they decided to change venue.

Asked how many tickets were sold, Abubo said they could not yet account for the exact number of ticket sales at this time. Tickets for the concert were sold for P250-P1,800.

MLTR is scheduled to hold a concert at the Araneta Coliseum Saturday night.

The band, which was formed in 1988, became popular in 1993, when their first album Colours was released. The group is best remembered for the songs “Sleeping Child,” “25 Minutes,” “Out of the Blue,” “That's Why You Go Away,” “Paint My Love,” and Nothing to Lose.

Members of the band are Jascha Richter (vocalist-keyboards), Kåre Wanscher (drummer), and Mikkel Lentz (guitarist).

(November 23, 2008 issue)
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