Martin Nievera on TJ and KZ: ‘You have reinvented the love team on a concert stage vibe’

by Mikoy Fernandez

February 11, 2026

On the fourth and final day of TJ Monterde and KZ Tandingan’s historic 4-day sold-out “In Between” concert at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, concert king Martin Nievera was present among a star-studded and jam-packed audience. And right on the day after, Martin had nothing but praise for the couple, leaving a long and heartfelt message on TJ’s social media post.

“Not enough can be said about how proud I am of you and our little baby girl KZ. Last night, ‘Day 4,’ I was so impressed and proud of not just the sold out-ness of your 4 days. Not just how amazing your musicians and singers shined and made each other sound. Not just how brilliant your director was making use not only of the entire stage, but the entire Araneta just to tell your story. Brilliant! Not just the beautiful sound and lights and perfect cues. Not just how at ease and comfy you have become as a storyteller and songwriter. Not just how KZ has transformed from a, ‘somewhere over the rainbow,’ kind of singer/performer into a, ‘somewhere over the universe,’ kind of singer/performer. Not just how KZ can snap from a serious set up to a song then all of a sudden become a stand up comic even Jokoy would pay money to watch. Not just how well you complement each other on that stage allowing each other to shine. Not just how much brighter you shine when you are both together. Not just how you remember to give thanks to everyone who has paved the way for you both to be center stage. Not just how you always lift everything up to God who continues to bless you only because you have remained humble and grateful. Both of you! No no no not just because of all of the above mentioned,” wrote Martin.

“I am so impressed and proud because you without knowing it have shown the new audiences of today how a true love team should represent love on stage. The proper values. The honesty and sincerity the, ‘you before me,’ kind of love we all wish we could experience in our lifetime. You showed us how two great and powerful artists can exist on a stage in front of thousands maybe millions while wearing their hearts on their sleeve and never holding back the true stories that created this unbreakable love for your artistry and more importantly for each other,” he added.

Martin goes on to say that TJ and KZ have reinvented the “love team” on a concert stage vibe while also praising concert director John Prats for visualizing the couple’s narrative perfectly.

A year ago, on the last day of TJ Monterde’s 3-day sold-out “Sarili Nating Mundo” concert at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, Martin surprised TJ and the Bituins (fans of TJ) by performing as his front act. In his spiel, Martin recalled the time when it was TJ who was opening for his shows. Martin considered his opening performance as him returning the favor to TJ – a humbling gesture given Martin’s legendary stature in the Philippine music industry.

TJ, KZ and John Prats will be going on the In Between World Tour right after the Araneta concert, starting off with March 1 in Davao City. Then for the US and Canada leg, they’ll be in Vancouver (March 6), Edmonton (March 8), New York City (March 14), Pickering, Ontario (March 15), and Chicago (March 20).