FOR MANY the 1980s were a decade when people could be themselves, from fashion to culture to music — especially the music. As singer Jett Pangan of rock band The Dawn described, the sounds of the decade had “a nice diversity” and “innocence.”

“There was a nice diversity in terms of music [and] we all sounded different from each other. The energy was undeniable… But since there was no internet or social media yet, there was still mystery, the unknown. These days, you get barraged by all sorts of things every minute of the day,” Mr. Pangan said at a May 9 press conference for the Into the ’80s concert in the Theatre at Solaire.

The ’80s saw the emergence of New Wave and various subgenres of rock including punk rock. It was the decade where pop icons like Michael Jackson, Madonna, Whitney Houston, and Prince reigned supreme.

Joining Mr. Pangan onstage for the May 18 concert are some of the artists who made their mark in the ’80s: Gino Padilla, Raymond Lauchengco, Jam Morales, and Lou Bonnevie.

“We were the ones who popularized that kind of music, the music artists of the ’80s. If you’ve noticed, they’re bringing back these kinds of sounds,” Ms. Bonnevie said during the conference.

Mr. Pangan is known as the frontman of The Dawn, a Filipino rock band behind hits like “Salamat” from the third album Beyond the Bend (1989), while Mr. Padilla and Mr. Lauchengo — aside from being actors (Mr. Lauchengco is best known for his work in the ensemble film Bagets) — were popular balladeers who sang hits like Mr. Padilla’s “Closer You and I” and Mr. Lauchengco’s “So It’s You” and “Farewell (To You My Friend).”

Ms. Morales is known for popularizing the songs “A Smile in Your Heart” and “Even If,” and Ms. Bonnevie is a pop rock musician known for “Rockin’ the Beat” and “What A Fool I Am.”

“We really put a lot in making this concert,” said Ms. Bonnevie, before explaining that aside from singing their own songs and the iconic hits of the decade from artists like The Police, Sheena Easton, Spandau Ballet, Blondie, Irene Cara, and many others, it will also be a trip down memory lane.

“We will be singing a few songs that will remind you of that era. There will be theme songs and dance songs that became popular back then. I’m sure it will bring back a lot of memories,” she said.

They also will be reliving the ’80s through the outfits of the era, choreography, videos, TV shows and billboards, all to celebrate the diversity of music which she described as “the big, bold, brash colorful, and lively.”

“We were thinking about this for so many years now. We did some smaller gigs and we harnessed it more and improved it, that’s why we are staging a bigger show,” she said.

The concert will also see performances by the Filipinas Dancers, the Session Band, and some surprise guests.

Into the ’80s is directed by Toto Gentica with a script by Henry Tejero and choreography by Butch Esperanza. It will be on May 18, 8 p.m., at the Theatre at Solaire Resort and Casino, Parañaque City. Tickets are available via Ticketworld (www.ticketworld.com.ph or call 891-9999). Ticket prices range from P1,500 to P6,500. — ZB Chua