AFTER successfully staging local concerts for pop-rock bands, My Chemical Romance and Maroon 5, Viva Concerts and Events is back with "James Blunt: Live in Manila," the long-awaited Manila concert debut of multi-platinum singer-songwriter James Blunt.

Yes, the man behind the acoustic ballad "You’re Beautiful" –which became a worldwide smash, going to No. 1 not jus in his native UK but in Asia, Europe and the United States as well–is coming to the Philippines on May 19. The show will be at the Araneta Coliseum and is hotly tipped to be one of this year’s most well-attended concerts.

Ironically, Blunt’s career began with little fanfare. After he left the British Army in 2002 to pursue a career in music, he signed a contract with Twenty-First Artists Management Limited and a publishing deal with EMI. However, a record deal eluded him until songwriter and producer Linda Perry signed him to her own label, Custard Records, in 2003. His debut album "Back to Bedlam" was released in the UK in October 2004, bannered by the singles "High" and "Wisemen."

However, it was only when his third single–the aforementioned "You’re Beautiful"–was released that his career really soared. The song topped the UK Singles Chart for five weeks and helped make "Back to Bedlam" one of the most successful albums in the UK that year. The album was No. 1 for a remarkable nine weeks!

In the US, "Back to Bedlam" was certified Double Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, partly because eight songs from the album were used in various TV shows like "Grey’s Ana-tomy." "You’re Beautiful" was one of those songs. As a result, it topped the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart, making Blunt the first British act since Elton John–who achieved the same feat in 1997 with "Candle in the Wind"–to do so. Both album and single were equally successful in Asia, particularly in the Philippines.

"You’re Beautiful" has done well on Philippine radio–it was No. 1 on various countdowns for weeks–and its music video has enjoyed heavy rotation on the local music video channels. Another testament of the song’s success is the fact that it has also become a karaoke favorite. Visit any karaoke bar in the country and you’re sure to find someone crooning these familiar lines: "You’re beautiful, it’s true/! Saw your face/ In a crowded place/ And don’t know what to do/ ‘Cause I’ll never be with you…"

Buoyed by its predecessor’s success in the Philippines, his next single, "Goodbye My Lover" (which is accompanied by a music video featuring Matt Dallas and Mischa Barton of "Kyle XY" and "The O.C.," respectively) enjoyed similar success.

After having sold some 11,000,000 copies of "Back to Bedlam," Blunt released his second album, "All the Lost Souls," in September of last year. It has since gone Platinum in many parts of the world.

Since the beginning of his career, the media has painted a picture of Blunt as being equally engaging live as he is on CD–and thanks to "James Blunt: Live in Manila," his Filipino fans can finally see for themselves just how engaging he is.