More than two decades since its debut, 98 Degrees is coming full circle—returning to the Philippines for a two-night concert that feels less like a tour stop and more like a long-overdue reunion.
The American boy band, best known for its late ’90s and early 2000s hits like “Because of You,” “The Hardest Thing,” and “I Do (Cherish You),” is set to perform at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on May 30 and 31.
And for the group, the excitement goes far beyond the stage.
“The Philippines was one of the first and earliest places we experienced what felt like true stardom and success,” said Nick Lachey in a recent Zoom press conference. “That is not lost on us.”
The band’s upcoming Manila shows, part of its current tour cycle, mark a meaningful return after a five-year absence. And, as the band puts it, a chance to say thank you.
“We’ve wanted to come back for years,” Nick added. “We’re more excited than maybe the fans are to be back there performing.”
Known for their smooth harmonies and heartfelt ballads, Nick, Drew Lachey, Jeff Timmons, and Justin Jeffre promise a mix of fan favorites and fresh material from their upcoming album, Full Circle.
“So without giving too much away, we’ve always prided ourselves on our four-part harmony and vocals,” said Drew. “There’s going to be energy, lights, videos, songs that everyone knows, a few covers, and even some new ones from the new record.”
And while they’re careful not to spoil any surprises, fans attending both nights may be in for more than just repeated setlists.
“We like to think we have a couple of things up our sleeve,” said Jeff. “Hopefully, some people come back for night two because they had so much fun.”
The band’s chemistry is still intact, with playful banter and friendship that’s only grown stronger over time.
“We’re enjoying performing with each other more now than ever before,” said Drew. “The more energy we get from the audience, the more fun we have.”
For 98 Degrees, the Manila concert is a return to where the love was loudest—and earliest.
“We’ve never taken the fans in the Philippines for granted,” said Nick. “Their passion for our music and music in general is something that gets us excited to come back and do what we love.”
