Kitchie Nadal held her sold-out 20th Anniversary Concert titledย Same Groundย at the New Frontier Theater on June 2. Presented by Gabi Na Naman Productions, the two-hour show featured her diverse musicality over the years with special guest appearances of her colleagues in the industry. The concert marked Kitchieโs first ever solo major concert. It was as much a celebration as it was a rediscovery of her artistry.
In 2004, Kitchie Nadal released her debut eponymous album, containing the tracks โHuwag na Huwag Mong Sasabihinโ, โSame Groundโ and โBulong !!!โ. While the 3 songs are now collectively known as the โ8334 Kitchie Nadal Medleyโ in karaoke machines at every Filipino party, not everyone knows the depth of her discography. Seeing her shine during her concert that night reminded us what an icon Kitchie Nadal really is.
Weโll take you down the highlights of her 2024 homecoming anniversary concert one by one.
1. A trip down memory lane
Kitchie Nadal gave the audience a colorful trip down memory lane. It goes without saying that she played her best hits, but she also gave the same love for her well-crafted B-sides. The first song for the evening was โBreatheโ which was interestingly also listed as the first song in her first album. This was followed by โFireโ and her debut single โRunโ.
โMalayaโ, a song released in 2013, also got its spotlight as it featured an eclectic mix of violins and beatboxing, a diversion from her usual guitar-driven music. Violinist Jie Song Zhang of the Stone Forest Ensemble performed the song with her.
She introduced her latest single โLahatโ which she wrote in reference to the life she built with her family in Spain. She dedicated the song to her children and said that motherhood was one of the best things that happened to her.
2. Teleserye soundtracks
In 2007, Kitchie released the album Drama Queen which contained songs that were soundtracks of popular teleseryes during the time. She paid homage to these tracks during the concert. As snippets of the shows flashed on the screen, she performed a medley of โMakulay na Buhayโ (I Luv NY), โHuwag na Huwag Mong Sasabihinโ (Lovers in Paris) and โMajikaโ.
3. Kitchie Nadal was also an actress!
Unbeknownst to many, Kitchie starred in a movie called The Muses in 2013. She also wrote songs for the movie.
The story revolved around two sisters who were pursuing a career in music. She was the younger sister in the movie. Janelle Jamer, who played the role of her older sister in the movie, went on stage to perform tracks from the movie. As an important part of her career, she made it a point to introduce the movie to the crowd, showing snippets here and there.
4. The Tanaw Squad showed their love and support.
We would never listen to Imagoโs โSundoโ in the same way ever again after the show. When the queens of OPM rock bands โ composed of Acel Bisa (formerly of Moonstar 88), Aia De Leon (formerly of Imago), Barbie Almalbis (Hungry Young Poets, Barbieโs Cradle), Hannah Romawac (Session Road) and Lougee Basabas (Mojofly) โ performed the song with Kitchie, it was like pieces of the puzzle came together to form one beautiful picture, or in this case, one beautiful piece.ย
Trivia: Together, the six of them held an awesome sold-out concert titled Tanaw in 2022 hence the squad name.
5. Special guests
As much as the show celebrated Kitchie Nadalโs music, it also showcased her colleaguesโ talents. In between costume changes, certain artists took the helm for a bit.
Barbie Almalbis played โTorpeโ. Zild, who was introduced as the future of OPM, performed โT.L. Ako Sayoโ with Kitchie. Monty Macalino of Mayonnaise performed a cover of Eraserheadsโ โLigayaโ followed by โJopayโ .
6. The ties that bind
She paid tribute to her family and friends, not just verbally, but by featuring them on stage. Her mother played the piano as she sang a stirring rendition of โIโll Be Thereโ. Later on, her siblings joined her in singing. Kitchie shared that she sang the song to her father who was on his deathbed.
Her high school friends whom she jammed with long ago were also present. Together, they played The Cranberriesโ โLingerโ.
7. Kitchie Nadal-Core Outfits
Not only is Kitchie an alt-rock music icon, she is also a fashion icon to many. The term โKitchie Nadal-coreโ has recently become a trending topic for Gen Zโs on TikTok. The star, of course, lived up to her reputation by donning gorgeous sets of outfits during her show. It began with the modernized burgundy and black baroโt saya matched with fishnet stockings, followed by the white fringe/layered lace top with the elegantly embellished white shorts. For the encore, she wore the sequined black top and pants which sparkled wonderfully.
8. 8334 a.k.a. Kitchie Nadal Medley.ย
Before the encore, a Karaoke-style video with moving lyrics backed by the minus-one recording of her songs played. Members of the audience were quick to sing along loudly with some even reaching out for the microphones to show their singing skills, Pinoy party style.
Still, no one sings it better than the original. The crowd stood up and sang along to โSame Groundโ, โHuwag na Huwag Mong Sasabihinโ and โBulong !!!โ with none other than Kitchie Nadal, a festive end to a colorful evening.
Itโs amazing that 20 years later, we finally got to see Kitchie Nadal on the same ground, owning the stage by herself. As a fan who has known her since her first single, it was not only a nostalgic trip to the past, but it was also a rediscovery of her music. Twenty years on and I still got to learn new things about her as a person and as an artist, and for that, Iโm grateful.
Honestly, it seems unbelievable that this was only her first major solo show, ever. At the start of the concert, she revealed that she was afraid of doing it before. โNgayon lang nawala takot ko dahil sa pagmamahal niyo. Totoo nga na โThere is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fearโ,โ she said, quoting a bible verse. She repeatedly thanked the crowd for coming to the show.
Jason Wade, more popularly known as the frontman of the pop-rock band Lifehouse, returned to the Philippines for a one-night full acoustic show at the New Frontier Theater on the 1st of June. On stage, he was supported by Lifehouse guitarist Steve Stout. The 1.5-hour show was a comprehensive throwback to the best Lifehouse tracks, with a few covers and some new compositions.
Presented by Super Awesome Productions, the event was part of the Playback Music Festival, a concert series that previously brought the well-loved musical acts like Boys Like Girls, Leigh Nash (Sixpence None the Richer), Vertical Horizon, A1 and more.
Jason Wade is no stranger to the Filipino crowd. With Lifehouse, he had played shows with the full band as early as 2008. Before this concert, his last visit here was during Lifehouseโs 2015 concert at the MOA Arena. This evening, however, was special as it was his first time to play a completely acoustic show in Manila. For anyone who has known Lifehouse, their live acoustic sets tend to hit differently โ Jasonโs baritone crooning backed by the crisp, clean acoustic playthrough gives the songs an extra emotional depth.
The New Frontier Theaterโs set-up was simple. The stage had two mic stands in the middle as spotlights beamed around. Jason and Steve entered with their acoustic guitars, and started playing. โSomewhere in Betweenโ, โFirst Timeโ and โHalfway Goneโ were among the first songs.
The fully seated crowd watched attentively, taking in the music and singing along softly as it was played.
The setlist honored the best Lifehouse tracks from their long-spanning discography since the year 2000. From the album No Name Face, they played โSick Cycle Carouselโ, โBreathingโ and โEverythingโ. โStanley Climbfallโ, โSpinโ and โTake Me Awayโ were included from the picks from their sophomore album. From Who We Are, we heard โWhatever It Takesโ, โBrokenโ and โStormโ, and so on.
Compared to the clean-shaven Jason Wade that we got so used to in the early 2000s, he now sports a full beard with a matching fedora hat, making him look considerably older. Moreover, he now has a family of his own. He shared that he wrote the song โAll of My Lifeโ for his 18-month old baby and his wife. The song which was released on Spotify on May 21 got one of its first live performances in Manila.
Besides the usual Lifehouse favorites, there were some additions to the setlist such as the Shrek soundtrack โYou Belong to Meโ, the ukulele-infused chill summer song โA Place in the Sandโ, and a cover of The Beatlesโ โHere Comes the Sunโ. As an exclusive treat for Filipino fans, Jason Wade also included a surprise song. โI heard youโd like this song. I tried hard to learn it. I hope you like it,โ he said before playing โLet Me be the Oneโ, the popular hit by Jimmy Bondoc.
Throughout the evening, a blanket of calmness wrapped around the audience. Instead of the loud karaoke-level singing, we had a hushed and restrained atmosphere in the theater. Guests, who were mostly adults in their late 20s and above, stayed seated for most of the show, singing along softly to each piece โ something that didnโt go unnoticed with Jason and Steve. The two took the time to scan the crowd to listen.
When they came back for the encore, they played the much awaited ballad โYou and Meโ and โBlindโ. For the finale, it was none other than Lifehouseโs debut single โHanging by a Momentโ. โThank you so much, Manila! We love you guys. Weโll see you soon, alright?โ Jason said as he bid the crowd goodbye.
by Sandra Mae Laureano
โ
Setlist – Jason Wade – New Frontier Theater – June 1, 2024 Somewhere in Between First Time Halfway Gone Sick Cycle Carousel You Belong to Me From Where You Are Take Me Away Broken All of My Life A Place in the Sand Here Comes the Sun (Beatles cover) Storm Between the Raindrops Falling In Breathing Whatever It Takes Let Me Be the One (Jimmy Bondoc cover) Come Back Down Stanley Climbfall Spin Everything You and Me Blind Hanging by a Moment
Grammy-Award winning artist Laufey held a special two-night sold-out concert titled A Night at the Symphony at the PICC Plenary Hall on May 28 and 29. Backed by the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra, the show was a dreamy, almost fairytale-esque mix of Laufeyโs well-loved tracks. Just a year ago, Laufey held her debut concert at the Filinvest Tent to a sold-out crowd.
Young love was in the air as many of the spectators came with their dates. The halls of PICC were filled with young ladies garbed in their chic, frilly cocktail dresses and gents wore their dress shirts and pants. It was truly a night to be remembered.
Presented by Karpos, the show also had a lot of bonuses for the fans. An ice cream stand was giving out free ice cream with Laufey-coded flavors: Laufberry, Bewitched, Falling Behind Matcha and Valentineโs Chocolate. Guests can also get their photos taken at the vintage-looking photo booth at the Plenary Hall lobby. As a souvenir, the staff also handed out a quaint postcard with the words โKeep on going with your silly dream. Life is prettier than it may seemโ โ a reference to the lyrics of โLetter to My 13 Year Old Selfโ.
The 25-year old singer-songwriter has become a global star by her own right. Laufeyโs lyrics are woven out of dreamy fragments of romance, longing and heartbreak โ bare and straightforward yet resonant. Her music is pop, embellished in layers of jazz, bossanova and orchestra โ a symphony of sounds and words that appeals to young hopeful romantics.
When the lights dimmed, Laufey took centerstage with the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra with โDreamerโ and โWhile You Were Sleepingโ. The crowd, ecstatic as they might have been, held in their loud hoots and sing-alongs to bask in the music.
โI was an orchestra kid, but I rarely got to do shows with an actual orchestra,โ Laufey told the crowd. She used to be a cello soloist (a โcello nerdโ as she called it) with the Iceland Symphony Orchestra.
Laufey showed her prowess in playing different instruments, an impressive feat. In โI Wish You Loveโ, she took command of the cello. She played the piano for โLike the Moviesโ and โPromiseโ and โGoddessโ. She rocked an electric guitar for โI Will Stop Falling in Loveโ, โBewitchedโ and โFrom the Startโ among others. All the while, she held her grace in singing, her voice whirling beautifully across the venue.
โI feel so much love radiating from here. Itโs truly amazing. I feel like itโs a second home country,โ Laufey said near the end of her show. The entire show had been appropriately solemn, prim and proper as could be so she didnโt get too many chances to talk to the crowd. It was only during the encore stage that she got to speak freely.
โFirst of all, everyone thinks Iโm from here,โ she quipped as the crowd laughed. (A quick Google-search of her name will have the top result: โIs Laufey a Filipino?โ She isnโt. Sheโs half-Icelandic, half-Chinese.) โ(Itโs) the highest compliment because you are the most beautiful people in the world. This was a very polite and cordial evening. Iโm gonna sing a song thatโs not very polite,โ she said before playing โBoredโ with just her guitar.
Laufey also shared that she had a fever before her flight to the Philippines. She blacked out during her flight, and hoped, against all odds, that she would recover. Fortunately, she did. โIโm so thankful for all of you. Itโs such an incredible thing to have so many friends in a country so far away from where I grew up. Thank you for being here, for supporting me. Thank you for making my dreams come true.โ
The final song for the evening was the stirring โLetter to My 13 Year Old Selfโ, a song she wrote not only for her younger self, but also for her fans to continue chasing their dreams.
Missed the show? Fret not for Laufey will be coming back to Manila for Bewitched: The Goddess Tour at the MOA Arena on September 2.
Special thanks to KARPOS!
by Sandra Mae Laureano
Laufey – A Night at the Symphony – Live in Manila – May 28 (Night 1)
Dreamer While You Were Sleeping Falling Behind Fragile Let You Break My Heart Again Beautiful Stranger Valentine I Wish You Love Like the Movies Promise California and Me Goddess It Could Happen to You Lovesick Bewitched From the Start Bored Letter for My 13 Year Old Self
The horns were up when Arch Enemyโs Deceivers Asia Tour 2024 was here in Manila and led the metal fans in their usual exploration of introspective intense music and treated the fans to an electrifying performance.
The Swedish-based death metal band was on the stage at SM North Skydome last May 15, 2024, presented by PULP Live World, coming back to the country after Summer Slam 12: The Apostles in 2012.
Arch Enemy delivered a masterclass in metal, showcasing their technical prowess and tight musicianship. Engaging with the audience between songs, vocalist Alissa White-Gluz fostered a sense of camaraderie, igniting an electric atmosphere that reverberated throughout the venue with guitarists Michael Amott and Jeff Loomis, bassist Sharlee DโAngelo, and drummer Daniel Erlandsson.
“Thank you for the warm welcome Manila!” Alissa said, noting it was her first time performing in the country since taking over as Arch Enemy’s vocalist. She stood out with her dynamic stage presence, her blue hair flying as she headbanged in sync with the relentless energy of the music. Her commanding presence added extra intensity to an already unforgettable performance. Against a backdrop of pulsating lights and dynamic visuals, Arch Enemy unleashed a setlist of fan favorites, including iconic tracks like “Nemesis,” “War Eternal,” and “The Eagle Flies Alone,” each song met with thunderous applause and fervent enthusiasm.
As the band took command of the stage, the Filipino crowd erupted into a frenzy of headbanging and occasional mosh pits, particularly during the intense rhythm of “Handshake with Hell.” Feeding off the raw intensity of the music, fans engaged in this adrenaline-fueled tradition, further amplifying the energy of the night. While it may look like an aggressive form of musical expression, itโs always been noted that these mosh pits have always been done tastefully, as the fans respect each other and the people who join in. They pick up if someone falls, they carry the ones who want to be thrown around, and they donโt force anyone who doesnโt want to join.
As the night reached its peak, the band delivered an encore that left the audience clamoring for more, cementing their status as metal icons. They also promised their fans that they would come back to the country soon and commended how loud and enthusiastic the fans were, as the usual dose of the Filipino concert crowd. As they wrapped the night, Arch Enemy again proved why they are revered as one of the most formidable forces in modern metal, as the energy did not waver throughout the evening. Long live death metal.
Setlist: Deceiver, Deceiver Blood on Your Hands War Eternal In the Eye of the Storm House of Mirrors My Apocalypse The Watcher The Eagle Flies Alone Handshake With Hell As the Pages Burn No Gods, No Masters Dead Bury Their Dead We Will Rise Enemy Within Burning Angel Snow Bound Nemesis Fields of Desolation
It is hard to put the 2024 TREASURE RELAY TOUR [REBOOT] IN MANILA into words. Even as these words are written down, it is still unclear if all of these paragraphs will ever be able to fully capture the pride and happiness felt for TREASURE and Treasure Makers after the boy group’s second solo concert in the Philippines has come to an end.
No matter the number of days that have passed, I will always remember that wonderland, which was drenched in the hue of the purest, most beautiful sky and ringed by the loudest, most heartfelt cheers for ten boys who deserved every second of it.
Photo from YG Entertainment and Live Nation Philippines
It should come as no surprise that REBOOT IN MANILA was everything a concert should be: a veritable wonderland thanks to the boys’ outstanding vocal performance, their dance performances of the highest caliber, and their overall command of the stage, which took up every square inch of the venue with an amazing band and dancers adding to the allure of the stage production and light show and an equally phenomenal crowd, full of unrelenting enthusiasm and resonating energy.
Once again, Choi Hyunsuk, Jihoon, Yoshi, Junkyu, Yoon Jaehyuk, Asahi, Haruto, Doyoung, Park Jeongwoo, and So Junghwan were welcomed to the Philippine concert scene by Treasure Makers, who arrived in full force to the SM Mall of Asia Arena dressed in pretty shades of blue and TREASURE’s UNIQLO collaboration shirts with Teulights ready to light up the arena. With all of the fan projects on full show nearby, including banners and videos played on the MOA eye and globe, the tremendous support of the fanbase was already evident outside the arenaโthe tip of the iceberg for the heartfelt cheers and affection they generously showered TREASURE inside the arena.
Photo from YG Entertainment and Live Nation Philippines
Choi Hyunsuk, Jihoon, Yoshi, Junkyu, Yoon Jaehyuk, Asahi, Haruto, Doyoung, Park Jeongwoo, and So Junghwan bid farewell to their maiden solo concert stage in the nation last year, promising to return and wow their Filipino fans with even stronger performances. And the year that elapsed since their last visit demonstrated just that. With the REBOOT project, the boy group set out on a path of growth to take their passion, advancement, and unyielding ambition to a whole new level. TREASURE was unwavering in their resolve to consistently push themselves on stage, as evidenced by the formation of their first official subunit T5, and the release of their second studio album, REBOOT, which recorded 1.8 million in sales and marked the boy group’s first million certification. The 10-track album topped weekly charts in South Korea and Japan and its lead single “BONA BONA” ranked first on the iTunes chart in 20 countries following its release.
In support of their new album, TREASURE launched their new global tourโbringing them back to the Philippines. As the lights went down and the opening beats of “BONA BONA” filled the arena, heralding in the eagerly awaited return of the TREASURE of the Pearl of the Orient Seas, the boy group officially launched their Asia Tour.
“It’s been a while. Make some noise!”
Choi Hyunsuk during BONA BONA
The Philippine stop signaled the start of the Asia leg of their ongoing concert tour which started with a three-day concert at the KSPO Dome in Seoul. The concert tour has also traveled to eight cities in Japan for 16 shows from January to March, bringing together an estimated 300,000 fans. After Manila, TREASURE will continue their Asia tour in Hong Kong, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Jakarta.
REBOOT IN MANILA featured performances by Choi Hyunsuk, Jihoon, Yoshi, Junkyu, Yoon Jaehyuk, Asahi, Haruto, Doyoung, Park Jeongwoo, and So Junghwan of 25 songs. They began the show with a high-energy rendition of “BONA BONA” and followed it up with “JIKJIN” and their debut song “BOY.” YG concerts are never complete without a live band. With 4Rise bandโLee Seung Youb on guitar, Lee Young Sik on keyboard, Lee Seung Min on drums, and Kim Sang Wook on bassโTREASURE effortlessly and confidently seized the stage, demonstrating each time that the mics are on and the stage is about to be devoured.
Photo from YG Entertainment and Live Nation Philippines
Shedding the red fits for black ensembles, the boys came back on stage for “HELLO” and formally welcomed Treasure Makers to REBOOT IN MANILA with “Find Your TREASURE! Hello, we are TREASURE!” Each of them continued to individually greet the audience, expressing their joy at seeing their Philippine fans again and urging everyone to enjoy themselves or, in Hyunsuk’s words, “get crazy.”
Mabuhay, Manila! I missed you all so much. Seeing Philippine Teume gives me so much energy. Make some noise! Salamat!
Yoshi during their introduction
The boys delivered the fun in “B.L.T.” and “STUPID,” truly determined to make the concert an unforgettable experience. The ability of TREASURE to move and groove with the crowd seems to come naturally to them, which is always astounding throughout their concerts. The way they moved around the stage was effortless, and their adlibs blended in well with the performances. A vibrant festival-like ambiance filled the arena with stunning visual effects working in unison with the boy group and the live band’s skillful synchronization.
Yoshi talked about how happy he was to perform his song “STUPID” live for the first time in the Philippines. He then sang the song again for the crowd during the ment to express his gratitude for all of the affection it has gotten. The Philippine concertgoers never let Yoshi down, as they enthusiastically joined in on his songs and won his well-earned approval.
The performance went on with T5, made up of So Junghwan, Junkyu, Jihoon, Yoon Jaehyuk, and Doyoung, making their stage debut in the local concert scene. For the first time, TREASURE’s first subunit performed “MOVE” for Philippine Teumes fans. Then, with “THANK YOU,” Asahi ascended the stage, beckoning Haruto for a powerful collaboration that expertly blended raps and vocals. And with rapping came the G.O.A.TโTREASURE’s rap line Choi Hyunsuk, Yoshi, and Haruto. With “G.O.A.T.” and “VolKno,” the three effortlessly lit up the stage, bringing the YG rap fire alive and burning hot.
Without allowing the audience a minute to recuperate, TREASURE brought the whole band back to the stage for a fiery “MMM” performance. The interval was filled by 4Rise’s band rendition of “BONA BONA”.
Beautifully attired in white, Park Jeongwoo, Junkyu, and Jihoon enthralled the crowd with their melodious vocals and harmonization of “The Way To”. The boy group continued their vocal showcase with “ORANGE” and “Hold It In” afterward. The lovely wave of Teulights that heightened the songs’ emotions brought attention to the enchanting harmonies between the vocals and the raps. Their expressive expressions complemented every performance, adding to the overall captivating experience.
Then, in a cute and entertaining VCR, actors Choi Hyunsuk, Jihoon, Yoshi, Junkyu, Yoon Jaehyuk, Asahi, Haruto, Doyoung, Park Jeongwoo, and So Junghwan appeared as characters from well-known Korean television series.
Photo from YG Entertainment and Live Nation PhilippinesPhoto from YG Entertainment and Live Nation Philippines
Greetings from Wonderland! Brimming with enthusiasm, TREASURE returned for consecutive stages of “Wonderland” and “B.O.M.B.” When they concluded their performances with “I Want Your Love” and “I LOVE YOU,” the enthusiastic audience matched the boys’ contagious excitement. And Treasure Makers’ support and dedication for their favorite boys persisted magnificently, filling the arena and encompassing intervals to express their gratitude. The audience joined in to sing “B.O.M.B (KABOOM version)” and “ORANGE”.
“RUN,” “Going Crazy,” and “DARARI” marked the beginning of TREASURE’s solid encore performances, which were delivered with steadfast passion and relentlessness.
The group reflected on their treasured encounters with their Philippine Treasure Makers and expressed amazement at the unwavering support they received from their fan base. “Thank you so much for always loving our TREASURE. We will always try to shine by your side too. We will never be alone again. Thank you so much, Manila Treasure Makers. Mahal kita,” stated Choi Hyunsuk. The members repeated this sentiment, expressing gratitude to their supporters for making the tourโwhich, in So Junghwan’s words, allowed them to growโpossible. “The best kayo,” declared Kim Junkyu.
Yoshi, who will be 24 on May 15, received an early birthday greeting from fans who made a unique birthday cake and banner to celebrate the rapper’s special day.
The boys resumed their encore performances with “MY TREASURE” and “CLAP”. They proceeded by extending their greetings and expressing gratitude to the Treasure Makers, band, staff, and dancers who helped make the performance possible. The enthusiastic applause persisted even after the members left the stage, becoming louder and louder as the fans anticipated TREASURE’s comeback to the stage for more. “Philippine Treasure Maker, we rented more time in this arena, because of you,” joked Choi Hyunsuk. He went on, “We wanna see more energy,” asking the crowd to put down their phones and savor the moment together.
TREASURE returned, stepping back up on stage with a “MMM”. As everyone was still full of excitement, the boys and Treasure Makers joined forces for “I Want Your Love,” setting the stage for an exciting conclusion. In the same manner as they concluded HELLO IN MANILA, TREASURE promised to meet Philippine Treasure Makers again at the end of REBOOT IN MANILA. The boys’ final words to their adoring fans were “Mahal kita” as they bid goodbye.
Photo from YG Entertainment and Live Nation Philippines
It was a concert that embodied everything a concert should be. I could confidently declare, head held high, that a TREASURE concert is unlike any other. The performances were passionate from beginning to end and showcased effortless transitions between genres, captivating the audience and brilliantly presenting TREASURE’s versatility and trajectory. With a blow-by-blow exhibition of caliber, diligence, and commanding stage presence, there was never a dull moment. It is only fitting to assert that TREASUREโeach and every memberโwas destined for the stage. They had such a great hold on the audience that, even after several hours, nobody felt the need to slow down because the energy remained constant and the concert was riveting all the way through.
Once more, REBOOT IN MANILA demonstrated to the world the boys’ unwavering growth and ascent to the future they desire. With TREASURE, no stage has ever been squandered as they have repeatedly shown that they are capable of effectively commanding a stage all by themselves and igniting euphoria in each place they visit.
And a gifted and extraordinary group is accompanied by an equally remarkable fan base. From TREASURE’s debut concert stage to REBOOT IN MANILA, Philippine Treasure Makers have consistently shown their unwavering support for their favorite boys, elevating each event above the one before it. Treasure Makers added even more special touches to REBOOT IN MANILA, from fan banners, food supports, and video projects to stunning light displays and enormous banners, all finished with unceasing cheers from the beginning to the end. As enthusiastic as the applause that night, we also let out a proud cheer for the fan base that supported Choi Hyunsuk, Jihoon, Yoshi, Junkyu, Yoon Jaehyuk, Asahi, Haruto, Doyoung, Park Jeongwoo, and So Junghwan not only in every concert stage, but in every momentโthe highs, the lows, and those in-between.
Running together with hands clasped tightly, TREASURE and Treasure Makers transformed every concert stage into a wonderland that is captivating to revisit time and time again.
“As long as TREASURE has Teume, everything will be fine.”
Philippine Treasure Makers to TREASURE
Photo from YG Entertainment and Live Nation Philippines
And as promised in HELLO IN MANILA, this Treasure Maker stayed. She was there to see their start in YG Treasure Box and held on with joy and hope till August 7, 2020. She applauded with pride at every comeback, and she proudly held her Teulight for Choi Hyunsuk, Jihoon, Yoshi, Junkyu, Yoon Jaehyuk, Asahi, Haruto, Doyoung, Park Jeongwoo, and So Junghwan at every concert. Thus, the promise endures: this Treasure Maker is not going anywhere. She will go on proudly cheering and illuminating the stage for TREASURE.
Words by Dan
The 2024 TREASURE RELAY TOUR [REBOOT] IN MANILA was presented by YG Entertainment and Live Nation Philippines with special thanks to Live Nation Philippines.
Forever? Indeed. One of our favorite bands we added to the playlists of our youth that molded us during the early 2000s, All Time Low, came back, returning for the sixth time in the country to celebrate their 20th year in the industry with their โForever Tourโ in Smart Araneta Coliseum last May 3, 2024, presented by PULP Live World.
The band was serious when they included two decades’ worth of music with a setlist of 33 songs that got the neighboring countries jealous of Filipino fans. Not surprising of course, as we are known as one of the best concert crowds in the world, with unprecedented energy and digesting the whole concert setlist like we are in karaoke.
Check out how the band hailing from Maryland, USA with lead singer Alex Gaskarth, guitarist Jack Barakat, bassist Zack Merrick, and drummer Rian Dawson, made a home with the Filipino music fans with their longest setlist yet.
โWeโre back! The energy here f*cking crazy!โ as the band started their setlist of the evening, expanding two decades’ worth of discography, as the setlist was mashed in one incredible night of punk rock music. Alex also expressed that theyโd never thought they would still be playing halfway across the world when they started their band in the humble basement of Rianโs (Dawson) parents in 2003. It was just instruments and a dream, and decades later, they are still filling up coliseums and contributing to the rich punk/emo rock music that raised us.
The setlist was plucked from their albums in a surprise setlist arrangement that differs with each stop. From the newest album just released last year, โTell Me Iโm Aliveโ stretching to their 2006 album โPut Up or Shut Upโ, the band did not leave the crowd any room to breathe with hit after hit and fan favorites, to surprise songs.
โI donโt ever wanna stop playing in Manila!โ frontman Alex commented in the middle of the show, as how would they want to stop when the Filipino Hustlers (their fandom name) would always welcome them in a full room, seemingly not wanting to stop listening and rocking out with the band either. Whether it was singing along to the songs, to glittering the event with their phones, (literally glittered during the surprise acoustic version of โGlitter and Crimsonโ), the Filo Hustlers gave the band another reason to come back. Bassist Zack Merrick even captioned his picture in the country with, โManila, you will be hard to top,โ while Alex promised the Filipino fans that they would be back.
Not a hard promise to keep as both the fans and the band just canโt get enough of each other. And while the emo/punk era is now living in our nostalgic boxes, weโre still in that Future Hearts Club, no matter where we are, and starting a riot. Itโs Nothing Personal, itโs just music.
Setlist Tell Me I’m Alive Some Kind Of Disaster Weightless Lost In Stereo Six Feet Under The Stars Poppinโ Champagne Stay Awake Shameless Jasey Rae Vegas Damned If I Do Ya Do You Want Me Dead? Runaways Time Bomb Backseat Serenade Somethingโs Gotta Give Somewhere In Neverland Kids In The Dark Old Scars / Future Hearts Glitter & Crimson Missing You Remembering Sunday Sleepwalking Fake As Hell Dirty Laundry Monsters Afterglow PMA Calm Down Modern Love / Stella Dear Maria, Count Me In
Japanese rock band RADWIMPS enthralled a sold-out crowd of thousands at the Araneta Coliseum on the 1st of May.
RADWIMPS, composed of vocalist Yojiro Noda, guitarist Akira Kuwahara, bassist Yusuke Takeda, drummers Mizuki Mori and Masafumi Eno marked their first visit to the Philippines with their Manila stop for The way you yawn, and the outcry of Peace World Tour.
Photo by PULP Live World
Their two-hour setlist felt like a visceral space exploration with the band at the helm, guiding the crowd to the different phases the spacecraft would take and making them see all the places around. As Yojiro Noda put it during the concert, โReceive it (the music) in your body, in your heart, is that okay with you guys? Will you capture it in your heart? And hold tight until the next time?โ He asked the crowd, similar to how a friend would ask you to keep something important for them in the future.
In all honesty, that was the best way to experience their concert. The majority of RADWIMPSโ lyrics were in Japanese. While a lot of fans have studied the language, a good portion of the audience was not well-versed with it. However, that did not stop the crowd from immersing themselves in the show’s beats and melodies. They didnโt have to know each song by heart, they just had to feel the music and let it take them away from there. They clapped, stomped their feet, waved their hands, and sang along to each song.
Photo by PULP Live World
Since their formation in 2001, RADWIMPS has created a robust discography composed of 13 studio albums, with genres including alternative, rap-rock, ska, emo, punk, and more. From these albums, there are three tailor-made soundtracks for Makoto Shinkaiโs critically acclaimed movies, specifically โYour Name.โ (2016), โWeathering With Youโ (2019), and โSuzumeโ (2022). These movies, which have captured the imaginations and hearts of millions of people worldwide, played a big part in the bandโs global success. Interestingly, the band wove all the vital elements and fit them right into a compact 18-song setlist.
Blasting off with the EDM-infused โLights Go Outโ and โNEVER EVER ENDERโ, the Big Dome instantly turned into a bustling and screaming dance pit. This was followed by the fiercely belligerent tone of โDARMA GRAND PRIXโ which sustained the flow of the energy.
The band paused to scan the crowd. With the lights on, it was easily visible how the Big Dome was packed with people from the pit area to the bleachers in the general admission area. โThis is incredible. This is so fโ incredible! Thank you so much for coming out. This is our first show in the Philippines. You guys are already amazing,โ Yojiro said. Following this, the laid-back pop-rock tracks โSeptember-sanโ and โNanokaโ were easy sing-alongs for the Filipino crowd.
The mood turned solemn when the lights dimmed and the bluish hue filled the stage. Suddenly, the words โIs there still anything love can do?โ flashed on the screen. Immediately, everyone recognized this as the track from the movie โWeathering With Youโโthe song, which is about the kind of love that seeks to overcome darkness. Soon after, the eerily familiar ru-ru-ru-ru-ru was heard in the background, signaling the time for Toaka to join the band on stage for โSuzumeโ.
The live RADWIMPS experience was further enhanced by the state-of-the-art lighting design all throughout the concert. The lights moved symbiotically to the music โ they folded and expanded, burned and weakened to the sway of the melodies. It was easy to imagine the Comet Tiamat in โYour Nameโ โ the streaks of blue, pink, and purple falling gracefully in the night sky or the turbulent reddish dust similar to the skyline in โSuzumeโ. This is why it felt more precious to hear the piano introduction of โKatawaredokiโ leading to the much-awaited โSparkleโ and โZenzenzenseโ.
Photo by PULP Live World
RADWIMPS have this innate (most likely engraved) synchronicity on stage โ they have been together for more than 20 years now after all. As the frontman, Yojiro has this mesmerizing charisma which is palpable in the unwavering way he carries their songs and the gentle way he speaks.
The other members also reciprocate this energy โ in loads of rambunctious outbursts. When they did individual instrument face-offs/solos for โOshakashamaโ, they just seemed like a bunch of teenagers having the greatest time of their lives on stage. They also came prepared to face the crowd with a whole load of properly translated Filipino messages (and we donโt mean the Google Translate kind).
โHello sa inyong lahat! Ako si Kuwahara. Masaya akong makilala ka. Salamat sa pagpunta ngayon. Matagal na namin kayo gustong makita,โ Akira Kuwahara, the zestful guitarist greeted the crowd.
โMagandang gabi! Ako po si Yusuke. Kamusta? Nice to meet you. First time namin pumunta sa Pilipinas. Masaya kami ihandog ang concert na โto sa inyo. Maraming salamat po sa pagpunta. Sana maging memorable ang concert na to sa inyo. Handa na ba kayo? Gawin nating epic ang concert na ito,โ Yusuke followed up.
Beyond this, Yojiro also took the time to say something quite unexpected of any artist. He mentioned that the day before the concert, he went to a few historical places specifically relating to the era of World War II. As seen on his Instagram stories where he took a video of himself riding a kalesa, he seemed to be in Intramuros.
โI know what the Japanese army did to people,โ he spoke in a slightly fragmented manner at first. โWe donโt want to forget what the people did. I truly feel thankful to be able to stand in front of you guys and perform music and you guys cheer up on the music. This means so much to us. We would like to keep this peace moving on with our music,โ he went on. The tour title The Way You Yawn and the Outcry of Peace was chosen for this purpose.
Towards the end, RADWIMPS went back to their older material to play โYuushinronโ, โIindesukaโ and โKimi to Hitsuji to Aoโ.
โThank you so much for being an amazing audience! Is it ok if we come back in the future? Definitely, we will be back. Please be happy, please be healthy until we meet again,โ Yojiro said to bid the crowd goodbye.
Photo by PULP Live World
For the encore, RADWIMPS completed the spectacular evening with โNandemonaiyaโ and โ05410-(n)โ. We were expecting simple sparkles, but RADWIMPS delivered a lot more than that. Their concert was inspiring and spellbinding โ truly a memorable experience. Hoping to see them again in the near future!
Special thanks to PULP Live World!
by Sandra Mae Laureano
โ
RADWIMPS WORLD TOUR 2024 The way you yawn, and the outcry of Peace IN MANILA Setlist Lights Go Out NEVER EVER ENDER DARMA GRAND PRIX September-san Nanoka Is There Still Anything Love Can Do? SUZUME – feat. Toaka DADA G-Koui Oshakashama Katawaredoki Sparkle Zenzenzense Yuushinron Iindesuka Kimi to Hitsuji to Ao Nandemonaiya 05410-(n)
Incubus returned to the Philippines for their 6th headlining show on April 25. The Araneta Coliseum was full to the brim as thousands and thousands of old-time fans welcomed them after 6 years since their last visit. Vocalist Brandon Boyd on vocals, guitarist Mike Einziger, drummer Josรฉ Pasillas, DJ Chris Kilmore and bassist Nicole Row thrilled the crowd with a solid 18-track setlist of their best hits and a few covers.
It has been almost 25 years since Incubus hit it big with the album Make Yourself. Back then, โDriveโ could be found playing in the weekly music charts in the Philippines alongside pop stars like Westlife and Britney Spears. The music video, featuring a raven-haired, shirtless tattooed Brandon Boyd drawing himself in a music video was looped a lot on music channels on TV. Their music from then, followed by Morning View and A Crow Left of the Murder were in most teensโ radar back then. Incubusโ music was an experimental blend of alternative rock, funk, hip-hop with streaks of metal and bits of turntable scratches. Their lyrics were simple yet profound, the right blend of musical poetry. Incubus was cool.
It is now 2024, and all that remains to be true โ Incubus is still cool (if not cooler). Their music has definitely transcended time. The teens who grew up looping their CDs in the early 2000s are now full-blown adults, and many of them made sure to find time in their hectic schedules to see the band on a Thursday evening.
Incubusโ show was a no-frills rock concert. When they took center stage, there were no elaborate video sequences or groundbreaking introductions. Each band member took their place, started to play their instruments and the crowd passionately went along with everything. The hypnotic crawl of โQuicksandโ was the starter, a calm before the storm. This was followed by the relentless โNice to Know Youโ.
Their setlist was a great selection of their greatest hits with majority from Make Yourself and Morning View. A stand-out track was the nu-metal track โVitaminโ from S.C.I.E.N.C.E. Another misnomer was โKarma, Come Backโ from their 2020 EP Trust Fall (Side B). The band also included their rendition of Portisheadโs โGlory Boxโ, The Beatles โCome Togetherโ and David Bowieโs โLetโs Danceโ.
Being in the concert was an exhilarating mixture of nostalgia and wonder. The crowdโs energy was astronomical, it seemed like a hundred-thousand-watt karaoke machine. It was amazing how a whole dome of what must have been a lot more than 10,000 people unanimously screaming along to โIโve had enough of this world and its peopleโs mindless gamesโ, during โPardon Meโ, chanting โStep down! Step down! Step down!โ during โMegalomaniacโ and singing along (very smoothly) to the oohs of โWarningโ and โAre You In?โ. These songs are well within their two decades in existence yet that evening, it felt like they were still the coolest songs of 2024.
โI missed you guys so much. You are all beautiful. Thank you,โ Brandon Boyd told the audience. The bandโs frontman was not chatty, but he was visibly pleased when the crowd was singing along (which quite frankly was 90% of the concert).
Halfway through the show, the audience chanted for Mike Einziger to smash his guitar, a deed he was fond of doing in his younger days. Even Brandon joined in the jeers, but Mike apologized with a smile, saying he has now โmellowed downโ.
As one of Incubusโ most popular songs, โDriveโ got its well-deserved main-character moment. The band opted for an acoustic set-up, with Brandonโs voice reverberating throughout the dome. A few seconds in, a number of people started raising their flashlights. Slowly and steadily, more and more orbs joined in as the chorus of voices got louder and louder. Near the end of the song, the lights looked like lanterns swaying in the dark, a beautiful sight and a sacred moment that stood out during the concert. For the finale, Incubus went out loudly with โWish You Were Hereโ.
A few hours after the concert, Brandon Boyd posted on Instagram: โComing to the Philippines to make music has always been such a wild experience for us and last night was no exception. You all made our trip here so memorable and boy, can you guys sing! Until next time. Thank you.โ
Special thanks to Wilbros Live!
by Sandra Mae Laureano
Incubus – Live in Manila 2024 – Setlist
Quicksand Nice to Know You Anna Molly Stellar Sick Sad Little World Circles The Warmth Pardon Me Karma, Come Back Come Together (The Beatles cover) Are You In? Vitamin Glory Box (Portishead cover) Warning Megalomaniac Letโs Dance (David Bowie cover) Drive Wish You Were Here
It was a trip down memory lane at the BOYS LIKE GIRLS SPRING TOUR 2024 IN MANILA in Araneta Coliseumโone big throwback party, especially for fans who have grown with the band since their self-titled album days.
The show began on an exciting note with We The Kings opening the stage with their fun songs and playful energy.
During their second song, Travis Clark instructed the crowd to scream instead of sing and the arena was ringing with cheers.
They played several covers such as Oasisโ โWonderwallโ, Coldplayโs โFix Youโ and The Killers’ โMr. Brightside.โ
But the highlight of their set had to be when they instructed the crowd to do the dance move Travisโ daughters made for one of their songs. The crowd was so game and they even put their spin on the choreography by jumping while chanting โUp! Up! Up!โ
They played a total of 12 songs that included โSecret Valentineโ, โI Feel Aliveโ, โSay You Like Meโ and concluded their set with a crowd favorite, โCheck Yes Juliet.โ
Finally, it was time for Boys Like Girls to take the stage. The light show began and the tune of โSunday at Foxwoodsโ blasted throughout the arena while the members made their entrance one by one.
As soon as they were complete, the song transitioned to โLove Drunkโ, which ignited screams and lots of excitement from the crowd. From this reception alone, you could tell it was going to be one heck of a show.
The first few songs of the setlist were played back-to-back almost like a medley. At one point, Martin Johnson was singing with a wide smile on his face. It was heartwarming.
Even as Martin introduced the band and talked about Boys Like Girlsโ history, the band played on. They mentioned that they were kicking off their Spring Tour in Manila with 30 songs on the setlist. A real treat for fans indeed.
โI miss you Manila,โ Martin also mentioned during one of their songs.
There were many highlights of the night such as when they sang some of their unreleased songs.
An unexpected part of the night was when two worlds and genres collided: KPop and pop rock when Boys Like Girls performed Twiceโs โI Canโt Stop Me.โ There were even Twice light sticks as well as other KPop lightsticks spotted in the crowd.
At one point in the show, the arena was dark except for being beautifully lit up with phones as Boys Like Girls sang, โThunder.โ
The main highlight of the night was when Martin instructed the whole arena to get out their phones and start recording before the band launched into playing, โThe Great Escape.โ
Fans screamed with glee but then during the chorus, Boys Like Girls stopped the song, and Martin requested that since the crowd had recorded it was now time to put away their phones and enjoy the concert like it was back when The Great Escape was released: to jump and enjoy the song with hardly any phones in sight.
It was a request many fans were happy to do as the band played the song from the start and then it became a medley with โLove Drunk.โ
The energy of the crowd was hard to describe: it was happier, more energetic, and oh-so-loud. Itโs an experience to enjoy a show without having to worry about recording, just really being present and letting the music wash over you.
Just when fans thought the show was over but wished it wasnโt, they even chanted the classic โWe Want More!โ requesting an encore, Martin came out with an acoustic guitar and ended the set list with โTwo Is Better Than One.โ
The setlist featured a variety of songs from all their albumsโa nice mix for listeners from every Boys Like Girls era. It was a great, majestic return for the Boston-founded rock band to Philippine shores.
The Big Dome glowed bright red as iKON took centerstage for their Get Back: Limited Tour in Manila on April 7.
Song, Bobby, DK, Ju-ne, and Chan gave a powerful performance for their last major concert before their upcoming military enlistment later this year. Member Jay wasnโt part of the event as he has been in the middle of completing his military duties since July.
Filipino iKONICs flocked the venue dressed mostly in red and black with their KONBATs (the groupโs official baseball bat-shaped lightsticks) and with a whole arsenal of surprises for the band. As devoted fans, they ensured their idolsโ final stop on their tour would be memorable. Likewise, iKON did their part to make every bit of the evening special as well.
The concert felt like one massive club party as iKON performed their hype songs one after another. Starting with the hip-hop heavy โTantaraโ and โSINOSIJAKโ, the crowd immediately roared to life as they unanimously sang along, KONBATs swinging on perfect beat. This was followed by their killer hits โKILLING MEโ, โRHYTHM TAโ and โLOVE SCENARIOโ.
That evening, the energy of the band and the crowd was through the roof. There was no downtime at all as iKONICs screamed and cheered as loud as they could at every song. Chan observed, โWe didnโt expect your cheers would be this loud. Your passion is really awesome.โ Some fans from the upper tiers were even stomping their feet in unison, causing Bobby to give a soft reminder to tone it down because he thought the venue might collapse.
iKON members got their time to shine during their respective solo stages. DK performed โLTNSโ and โGroovinโ. While playing the guitar, Ju-ne sang โWant You Backโ. Lastly, Song brightened the stage with the trot extravaganza โItโs a Callโ. After this, the members returned on stage for their more mellow tracks which included โLike a Movieโ, โT.T.M.โ and โGoodbye Roadโ
iKON, for their part, pulled a lot of surprises. They asked the audience which songs they wanted to hear live. The majorityโs answers were โBut Youโ and โRum Pum Pumโ which the members gladly sampled on stage. Moreover, iKON prepared a special VCR which played in between their sets. It showed snippets from their concerts and a casual talk session featuring the members. It ended with the message: โiKON will always be with iKONIC. Weโll get back to you shortly. Will you wait for us?โ
Of course, Filipino iKONICs went all out. They prepared gifts for the members, loot bags for the staff, roll-down banners, and heart-shaped confetti. The highlight was the surprise VCR featuring greetings from fans worldwide and an original song by iKONICs titled โYou Areโ. All these efforts were noticed by the band and they each thanked the fans for the love.
โIt has been a while since we came to Manila, but every time we come here, it feels like weโre healing because of your passionate and big love from you guys. Please wait for us,โ Ju-ne said.
Bobby, whose military enlistment date was announced a day before, promised that heโll come back. โJust wait for me. Remember these beautiful memories we have tonight.โ
Song told the crowd, โiKONic, thank you so much for having a great time with us! Weโll make sure to come back as a whole with better performances. Iโll do my best in military service.โ
โThank you so much for today! Iโll try to take ample rest after this. Weโll make sure to come back next year,โ Chan promised.
โWeโll surely come back as a whole and with our solo albums too so wait for us,โ DK followed through.
Bobby and Chan are scheduled to fulfill their military duties starting in May. The rest of the members are expected to follow soon within the year. The earliest they can be expected to return is in the latter part of 2025.
Aside from the electrifying concert, it was heartwarming to witness the mutual respect and adoration that iKON and iKONICs have for each other. It was fortunate that the Philippines got to be part of the tour, and the final stop at that. In return, Filipino iKONICs gave them the best send-off possible.
OUR BURNING ROCKSTARS: Xdinary Heroes came back to the Philippines to take the local concert stage with their first-ever solo concert.
Korean rock band Xdinary Heroes held their headlining tour Break the Brake at the New Frontier Theater on March 23; and just like the lyrics in the title of their tour, Filipino Villains just want some more.
The six-piece band, composed of Gun-il, Jungsu, Gaon, O.de, Junhan and Jooyeon, thrilled the Filipino crowd as they performed a staggering setlist of 25 songs during their 2.5 hour-long concert in the Philippines.
Making their debut under Studio J, JYP Entertainmentโs sub-label in 2021, the group has always embraced their rock influences. If you listen closely to their songs, they have layered the usual K-pop sound with blaring guitar riffs, infectious choruses and that indomitable rebellious spirit, all of which have contributed to their dynamic appeal to the younger generation.
Xdinary Heroes loudly made their entrance with โFreddyโ and โCome into my headโ, the crowd roaring as they played. Their setlist included a good mix of their best hits across their discography including โTest Meโ, โHaircutโ, โMan in the Boxโ, โSucker Punchโ and โStrawberry Cakeโ. The band also played homage to their JYP labelmates and seniors when they covered โHellevatorโ by Stray Kids and โShoot Meโ by Day6.
It was the bandโs second time in Manila, and Villains just couldnโt get enough of them. All throughout the concert, they sang along to each track, their voices sounding like a karaoke symphony inside the theater.
The mood shifted to a softer tone when they performed their ballads. Jooyeon, the groupโs bassist and maknae, let the crowd sing the choruses of โGood Enoughโ and โParanoidโ. True enough, the Filipinoโs passion for singing dominated the airwaves, earning them the band memberโs praises.
โYour energy is really explosive. Youโre the best crowdโ, keyboardist Jungsu said. In the same note, guitarist Junhan also chimed in, โEvery time we come here, weโre always excited because your energy is something else. You guys are the best.โ After Filipino Villains aced their parts effortlessly, Jooyeon even jested, โit will be our stage now, okay? Let us (the band) sing, too.โ
One of the most striking things about their concert is Xdinary Heroesโ relentless energy from start to finish. Even from afar, anyone could see they were having a great time onstage. It was also this energy that kept the crowd hooked to their every move and cheering as loud as possible.
All the members of Xdinary Heroes thanked the crowd again and again. During their ment, they spoke in Korean, backed by a translator. Gun-il spoke in English.
O.de had a sweet message for Villains: โThereโs no such thing as โforeverโ, but when weโre with you, forever exists. Because of that, Iโll do everything in my power to give you good memoriesโ.
Gun-il, drummer and leader of the band, expressed his desire to come back to the Philippines to play on a bigger stage next time.
Gaon mentioned that when he came to Manila, he woke up feeling good right away. He said it was all because of the fans that he felt that way. He hopes to come back again soon.
For their encore, they rocked the stage with โX-MASโ and โHappy Death Dayโ which had the whole theater jumping. As a bonus, they performed โFreakinโ Badโ again, taking their time to interact with the audience. On top of this, everyone who attended got a quick hi-bye session with the band.
One of the biggest music genres took over Manila on March 12, 2024, when one of its legends came to perform on the Philippines stage in an intimate concert for โThe River is Rising Tour โ24.โ
SLASH came with Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators and staged their collaborative music on SM North EDSA Skydome presented by PULP Live World on a one-night-only show, as a part of the Asian leg of their ongoing world tour.
The Living Legend guitarist SLASH, famously known as the lead guitarist of the rock band, Guns Nโ Roses who has been professionally active in playing the guitar for 37 years showed that there are none or so few others who can match his skills and passion for the good olโ guitar.
Black Sonic Pearls came in as their opening act, an hour before the show, and was highlighted multiple times by Myles Kennedy during the main portion of the concert. A modern approach to heavy metal/hard rock is what the band showcased and is surely able to tickle right the heavy metal and rock enthusiasts.
Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators soon came with SLASH on stage and immediately started the set with โRiver is Rising.โ In his signature top hat, SLASH slashed through the evening with his jaw-dropping and entrancing solo guitars that are unbelievable to witness, especially when he decides to just drop an almost 10-minute riff on the song โWicked Stone.โ Something alters your brain chemistry when you see him in action, the way that he always does, and itโs a different experience seeing it live.
The setlist is expansive, including tracks from the band, some solo songs from SLASH, and cover songs like ROCKETMAN from Elton John and a few Guns Nโ Roses tracks. A noteworthy part of the evening is that despite the groundbreaking talent of the guitarist, Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators can keep up. Kennedy has thrown impressive vocals during the whole performance, without even much of a sweat. Their bassist, Todd โDammitโ Kerns has also embodied his years in the industry with his vocals and showmanship throughout the evening.
The talent did not run dry and there wasnโt any overshadowing as all of them leveled the performances well. As per usual, the band is impressed by the Filipino crowd who can catch up with them on their songs. The participation was always on point, and since the SLASH have been on the game for nearly 40 years, his show is bound to attract all ages who love heavy metal.
โIf we come back, will you be here?!โ Myles asked the crowd with a resounding yes from the Filipino rock enthusiasts, as we are always here to welcome any musicians and long-reign rock music.
SETLIST RIVER IS RISING DRIVING RAIN HALO TOO FAR GONE BACK FROM CALI WHATEVER GETS YOU BY PATH LESS FOLLOWED ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS ALWAYS ON THE RUN BENT TO FLY MIND YOUR MANNERS SPIRIT LOVE BAD APPLES STARLIGHT WICKED STONE APRIL FOOL FILL MY WORLD DR. ALIBI YOU’RE A LIE WORLD ON FIRE ROCKETMAN ANASTASIA
Filipino Saturdayss have their fill of great banter and excellent music from Jeff Satur last March 2!
Jeff Satur brought his A-game as he staged Space Shuttle No.8 Asia Tour in Manila on March 2, 2024, at the New Frontier Theater. The supremely talented and multi-hyphenated artist from Thailand mesmerized fans as he serenaded them with songs that melted the audience’s hearts.
Showcasing top-notch vocal prowess, Jeff kicked off the concert with dynamic performances of โSteal the Showโ and โHighwayโ. He then slowed things down with a heartfelt rendition of โComplicatedโ. Finishing off his first set with dulcet melodies, he enchanted the crowd with songs โHideโ, โAlmost Over Youโ and โLucidโ.
The Thai star came back on stage with an enthralling cover performance of Beyonceโs โCrazy In Loveโ. He followed it up with โDum Dumโ and โComedyโ. As for the next song โStrangerโ, he shared that he had written the song for the stage play Closer, which he was a part of. The song is melodic, displaying Jeffโs soulful voice and his playful wit as he ad-libbed and changed the words towards the songโs end. After the poignant number, he gradually sped up the tempo with โBlack Tieโ.
Jeff Satur started his next set with โLoopโ and did a cover of BTS Jungkookโs โStanding Next To Youโ. For this number, he did a dance break, much to the fansโ delight (did it one more time at the audienceโs request). He continued the musical extravaganza with songs โGhostโ, the crowd favorite โWhy Donโt You Stayโ, songs for fans โSaturdayssโ, โYellow Leafโ, and โFadeโ.
He came back wearing Barong, the countryโs national costume and performed โFarโ and โMomentโ for his encore stage.
In between sets, Jeff was very animated and indulgent, exchanging banter with the audience. He greeted the crowd and expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome. He said that seeing and hearing the fans’ screams made his heart so full. He acknowledged the crowd at the balcony stating that even though he couldnโt see them, he could feel their energy and their love.
When he saw a fan dressed in a wedding dress, he asked her where the groom was and the crowd pointed at him. At this point, he burst out laughing and said โThereโs so much joking around (flirting) but all in good fun. He revealed that he sees fansโ posts/ comments and that even though he couldnโt understand the words, he learned quite a few through the translate option. He specifically mentioned โAng pogi koโ (I am handsome) as the most common comment he saw.
Jeff said that a lot has happened since the last time he was in the Philippines for the KinnPorsche World Tour. He admitted being surprised by how many fans went to see the cast at the time, and for that, he was so touched and thankful. He remembered singing Ben&Benโs โLeavesโ for the fans back then and it was such a good time. He said that some things occurred after that but he was glad to be able to come to the Philippines once again.
During the fan event, the VCR played has no audio but Jeff took it in stride and quipped to just send him the original video with sound. Despite the technical mishap, Jeff showed appreciation for the fan project. He promised to come back, even if the fans liked it or not, and the next time he sees his Filipino Saturdayss, he will perform a Filipino song for them.
After singing his last encore song โMomentโ, Jeff Satur capped the night off by taking photos with the crowd, asking them to take care as they go home, and bid the audience goodbye.
On February 27, the Philippine concert crowd welcomed FENIX 360, a new innovative app that aims to be โthe future of social mediaโ. The grand launch featured a spectacular mix of indie artists and established OPM names which drew a huge crowd of diverse music enthusiasts at the New Frontier Theater โ among them were Josh Cullen, 6cyclemind, Autotelic, Nik Makino, Sunkissed Lola and more.
FENIX 360 is an innovative blockchain-based app that connects the artists to their fans and vice-versa. For artists, itโs a platform for them to release their music, sell their merchandise and talk to their fans. For fans, itโs a gateway to discover new music and support different artists directly. It was previously launched in Malaysia and Indonesia.
FENIX 360โs overall CEO Allan Klepfisz and Asia-Pacific CEO Sandy Monteiro were also present in the event. When interviewed by the host Ai Dela Cruz, they said that they chose the Philippines as their next destination because they knew we love music more than anyone else in the world. True enough, when the lineup was announced, the demand for tickets was so high, slots were filled right away. Admission to the event was free of charge. The only requirement was a simple app registration.
All 9 acts of the evening had their distinctive flavor, some outstanding quirk that would surely pique your interest. Starting this off was singer-songwriter Ica Frias who effortlessly belted high notes in her softly rousing acoustic ballads. She said she hopes โAyoko Naโ would become an anthem for the lovelorn.
Next up was the indie-pop sibling duo called No Lore composed of painter/visual artist Tita Halaman and multimedia artist Jerald. Together, they create โmusic from paintings with poetryโ which was exactly what they showcased during their set. Their songs had a mystifying quality, something cut out from a tall fairy tale yet grounded in reality. This also bleeds into their video background which was interspersed with vibrant images from traditional paintings mixed with digital renders. They performed โPaumanhinโ and โWith Little Lightโ.
Toneejay โ the artist behind โ711โ, one of 2023โs biggest earworms โ also shone onstage. He might have appeared laidback and candid, but when he started singing, he captivated everyoneโs attention. When he performed โBawat Piyesaโ, people were singing along, as if in a trance to its dreamy lyrics โDito ka na lang habangbuhayโ.
Gracenote might have been in the industry since 2008, but they still have surprises up their sleeves. During their introduction, the spotlight was on frontwoman Eunice Jorge who performed a stirring violin solo which led into their trademark cover song โWhen I Dream About Youโ. The band also performed their latest track โBabaeng Torpeโ.
Fast rising indie band Sunkissed Lola was a scene stealer. With their smooth blend of funk rock and romance-stricken lyrics, itโs very easy to go with the flow of their music. Their songs โPaki Sabiโ and โPasilyoโ are the kind you can slow dance to or cry to โ maybe both if the mood called for it. When they performed, they easily established this synergy with the crowd. It was mesmerizing to see people swaying and singing along to the lines โikaw at ikawโ from โPasilyoโ, which was drawn out and chanted for a dramatic ending.
Hip-hop artist Nik Makino brought all the swag that evening, and people adored him for it. When he rapped, the whole room rapped with him, especially during the explicit parts of his songs. During his performance of โWalwalโ, โLexiโand โMOONโ, the majority of the crowd could just fill out the lyrics in a heartbeat. Behind his persona, however, Nik Makino revealed that it was his first time to sing live again in 3 months after being diagnosed with an illness related to his throat. Teary-eyed, he thanked the crowd for jamming along to his songs. He said it meant a lot to him as he thought his career was over when he got the news.
Alternative rock band Autotelic took the spotlight with their hits โLanguyinโ and โTakipsilimโ. As always, itโs a pleasure to listen to the quintetโs mix of relatable, heart-tugging lyrics and danceable guitar lines. For a change of pace, they also performed the somber โIkawโ, a ballad about longing, then they closed their set with the playfully nostalgic beats of โLaroโ
The energy of OPM veterans 6cyclemind could not be stopped. Starting off with their cover of Eraserheadโs โAlapaapโ and Hoobastankโs โThe Reasonโ, the band immediately captured the crowdโs fervor. Kleggy from Banda ni Kleggy also made a special appearance during โSandalanโ until the end of their set. They also played their classic hits โUpside Downโ and โKasalananโ.
For the finale, all eyes were on Josh Cullen. After making his solo debut last year, the SB19 member has steadily made waves in the industry as a rapper and singer. His performance that evening also exhibited his improved mastery in performing. Josh flexed his sharp dance and oozing charisma during โGet Rightโ and โWild Tonightโ. He also gave the crowd a taste of his rapping skills during โPakiusap Langโ.
Missed the event? Fret not because according to FENIX 360โs CEOs, they plan to hold another concert soon. Stay tuned for updates!
On February 17, the Philippines finally saw one of the most yearned-for reunions in the history of OPM: Rivermaya held their grandest concert yet at the SMDC Concert Grounds, drawing in tens of thousands of people in a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The classic lineup, featuring frontman Bamboo Maรฑalac, guitarist/keyboardist Rico Blanco, bassist Nathan Azarcon, and drummer Mark Escueta, treated fans to a powerful 24-song setlist of their greatest hits. Presented by Live Nation Philippines, the historic event is a dream come true for fans of all ages.
Considered as one of the pillars of OPM, Rivermaya established their foothold in the industry as early as 1994 and has kept on going since. With their blend of Britpop and alternative rock, they shaped the scene with songs that have persisted as anthems in our country such as โUlanโ, โKisapmataโ, โ214โ, โElesiโ and โAwit ng Kabataanโ. The band saw many lineup changes over the years, but one thing is for sure: Rivermaya shone best with their classic lineup in the years 1994 to 1998.
From start to finish, the near-three-hour show tantalized the crowd, so much that it felt like an out-of-body experience. Prior to the reunion, Rivermayaโs classic lineup was the stuff made of legends, tales you could only hear about from older people who had witnessed their prowess firsthand. They would tell you how Rivermaya was the blueprint and how they sounded so amazing when they played together. True enough, the tales proved to be true.
โThank you very much for being here tonight! Maraming, maraming salamat! People here in front, hanggang sa likodโ, Bamboo greeted the crowd excitedly before introducing each member like a show master would. To cap off the introduction, he shouted with utter conviction, โWe are Rivermaya!โ
Bamboo Maรฑalacโs vocals and stage presence were top-tier, hallelujah-level amazing โ his tone going from soothing to dominating as the situation called for it. He tirelessly ran and danced around the stage, connecting with the crowd as much as possible. Rico Blancoโs guitar riffs were soaring all throughout the night, his solos adding a stylish flair to their classic tracks. Complimenting Bambooโs energy, he fulfilled his role as the second vocalist well. Nathan Azarconโs bass lines held their melodies together. Mark Escuetaโs beats kept the pulse of their music beating all throughout the evening. Together, as Rivermaya, the four of them played in the best way they could on their grandest stage yet. Their overflowing energy was palpable, invigorating the crowd of thousands throughout the evening.
Rivermaya: The Reunion embodied masterclass fine-tuning that was done so well, that you would never hear their songs in the same way ever again. For a good part of their set, they were assisted by an orchestra under the baton of Mel Villena, the modernized arrangements breathed new life into their music.
There is the amped-up version of โKung Ayaw Mo, Huwag Moโ that built up the songโs silent aggression so well that it made the penultimate coda all the more satisfying. The jazz-infused remixes of โBallroom Dancingโ, โSunny Daysโ and โHinahanap-Hanap Kitaโ gave nostalgia a funky twist. There is that solemn yet fervent rawness in their performance of โ20 Millionโ, โIfโ and โBring Me Downโ. The swelling strings of the orchestra during โLuhaโ were enough to turn on the waterworks.
The show also boasted a lavish stage production, undoubtedly on par with major global concerts. The massive LED screens spread all throughout the stage background had varying visual effects for each song. There was an extended stage in the middle which brought the band closer to the fans at the back. There were dancing higantes and a marching band as โAwit Ng Kabataanโ reverberated throughout the concert grounds.
The classic lineup called for a classic setlist, focusing on their older tracks, specifically those from their first three albums: Rivermaya, Trip, and Atomic Bomb. However, there were a few surprises as the setlist also included a special solo performance of โYouโll Be Safe Hereโ by Rico Blanco and Bambooโs version of โNerbyosoโ, a track that was released after he left the band.
โYouโve got our music close to your hearts, keeping you company in your journey through life. Thank you,โ Rico Blanco said as he dedicated the song โPanahon Na Namanโ to the fans.
Nostalgia was at an all-time high as the crowd unanimously sang along to signature Maya tracks such as โUlanโ and โElesiโ. When the much-awaited โ214โ was played, fireworks burst into the sky, a moment that seemed to be cut out straight from a romantic movie. This was followed by the goosebump-inducing โHimalaโ. To cap it off, โKisapmataโ marked the ending as confetti and another batch of fireworks danced around the air softly.
Rivermaya: The Reunion was a dream come true for fans of all ages โ a miraculous moment that seemingly went by in the blink of an eye. Being part of it truly felt surreal. It was like watching legends come to life only for one evening. I went there, thinking I would be filled with a sense of longing for the past. Yes, it was nostalgic, but beyond that, I left with a renewed appreciation for the present and a newfound admiration for Rivermayaโs music. As proven by the concert, their influence extends beyond their years together as a band, regardless of the many lineup changes. Their music will definitely continue to live on and on across generations.
Special thanks to Live Nation Philippines
by Sandra Mae Laureano
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