Category: Concert Reviews

LUVCON 2024 shows these feelings ain’t overrated after all.

LUVCON 2024: feelings ain’t overrated, which took place on February 10 at the SM North EDSA Skydome, examined the complex web of love in all of its manifestations and used music to powerfully communicate the nuances of human emotion. The event featured five of Thailand’s top musical performers.

To give Filipino fans the chance to explore the depths of love’s mysteries, celebrate love’s enduring influence, and unite as a community for a shared love of Thai music, among other things, Tale, Boy Sompob, Three Man Down, Boss Chaikamon, and Tilly Birds were brought together for a one-night event that took place on the Philippine concert stage. LUVCON 2024 welcomed the Lunar New Year with a spectacular that never stopped, with nearly 70 songs performed over seven hours of excellent music, flawless energy, and endearing harmony.

The event was kicked off by Thai alternative pop duo Tale with “ดวงใจ (MY HEART)”, “หลอกตวัเอง (FOOL ONESELF)”, and “นทาน ิ (TALE)”. Beautiful live performances of “FALSELY MOVING ON”, “VIVID MIDNIGHT”, “อกีเลย (ANYMORE)”, “ขอแคเธอ ่ บอกมา (ARE YOU READY?)”, and “รอ (STANDBY)” were given to the audience, their captivating melodies and heartfelt words striking and resonating with the listeners.

Tale, who celebrated their first international performance with LUVCON 2024, also paid homage to their beginnings in bars with Sza’s “Kill Bill,” Troye Sivan’s “Angel Baby,” Olivia Rodrigo’s “deja vu,” and OPM songs “Sana” by I Belong to the Zoo and “Imahe” by Magnus Haven.

Next up was Thai singer Boy Sompob, who gave moving performances of his official soundtracks to well-loved TV shows and films, such as “Until We Meet Again: The Series.” His moving songs and insightful lyrics took listeners through the complexities of loving and being loved, using music’s universal language to express the deep feelings that go along with it. With 13 songs on his set list, he gave an amazing performance: “สนั่ (SHAKE)”, “ขอ (WISH)”, “โชคดแคี ไหน ่ (THE LUCKIEST BOY)”, “ฟังใจ (YOU ARE MY DESTINY)”, “อยากใชค้ำวา่ รัก (CAN I SAY THE WORD LOVE WITH YOU)”, “จะรักใหด ้ทีสี่ ดุ (BEST YOU’VE EVER LOVED)”, “คนแรกและคนสดทาย ุ ้ (UNFORGOTTEN NIGHT OST)”, “พรหมลขิ ติ (DO YOU BELIEVE IN DESTINY)”, “นานานา (NANANA)”, “พระอาทตยเท ิ ์ี่ยงคนื (MIDNIGHT SUN)”, his rendition of Zack Tabudlo’s “GIVE ME YOUR FOREVER”, “ขอดาว (CRY FOR THE STAR)”, and “พบเพอจาก ื (UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN)”.

Boy Sompob was so moved by the affection and support he had received in Manila that he broke down in tears during his performance.

Thai pop rock band Three Man Down demonstrated how love transcends romantic relationships by embodying the comfort and sense of belonging that love offers in their songs. Throughout the band’s 15-song performance, the Philippine concert stage experienced a strong sense of “home” within families, friendships, and communities.

The audience was intoxicated by their renditions in “เมา (DRUNK IN LOVE)”, “ปล่อยให้เวลา (BROKEN CLOCK)”, “น้อง (NONG)”, “เปิดตัวเขา (REBOUND)”, “ไหนบอกเลิกแล้ว (IN MY BED)”, “ไปเถอะเธอ (JUST GO)”, “วันเกิดฉันปีนี (HBD TO ME)”, “ฝันถึงแฟนเก่า (DREAMING OF A PAST LOVE)”, “ฝนตกไหม (IS IT RAINING?)”, “เก็บไว้ในใจไม่พอ (ISN’T ENOUGH TO ONLY KEEP IN MIND)”, “ความรักทำให้คนตาบอด (LOVE MAKES PEOPLE BLIND)”, “ข้างกัน (CITY)”, “เลือกคนที่เขารักเรา (CHOOSE THE ONE WHO LOVES US)”, “คุยคนเดียวเก่ง (TALKING ALONE)”, as “ถ้าเธอรักฉันจริง (IF YOU TRULY LOVE ME)”.

With his captivating performances and soul-stirring renditions, Boss Chaikamon stole the show. The singer-actor captivated the audience with his captivating presence and a voice that effortlessly combined sexiness and charm in songs like “MY STRONGEST LOVE,” “น่ารักชปปิ ๋งุ (NARAK CHIP PUN LOEY)”, “เหมอ่ ไมได่ มอง ้ (YOUR SIGHTS)”, “MIDNIGHT”, and his renditions of Pink Sweat$’s “AT MY WORST,” BTS’s Jungkook’s “SEVEN,” and Zack Tabudlo’s “PANO.”

In addition to blazing the stage with an unmatched fervor and showcasing a different side of himself for his return to the nation, Boss—truly charm personified—treated the audience to lovely exchanges as he circled the platform, grinned, and waved to the people.

Thai alternative band Tilly Birds closed LUVCON 2024 with a packed set of songs that acted as the soundtrack for a reflective examination of the dual nature of love, where happiness and sadness coexist. Tilly Birds skillfully demonstrated via their stirring performances how these opposing feelings may support grieving, embrace recovery, and realize the transforming power of self-love and fresh starts.

During the band’s 19-song performances—”INTRO”, “WHITE PILLS”, “BANGKOK WINTER”, “CAN’T HAVE IT ALL”, “CAN’T KEEP UP”, “ALONG THE WAY”, “WORTH THE WAIT”, “MEMORIES (JAM)”, “SLIPPED YOUR MIND”, “STATUS”, “I NEED NO ONE”, “SEND YOU OFF”, “HEART IN A CAGE”, “SAME PAGE”, “LIKE A DEAD MAN”, “ORDINARY”, “UNTIL THEN (EXTENDED)”, “WHO I AM”, and “JUST BEING FRIENDLY”—the Philippine concertgoers had the opportunity to experience all of these feelings.

With music from Thailand’s top musicians and a celebration of the community, we discovered via our shared love of this music, LUVCON 2024 revealed the rich nuances of love in all its manifestations.

Special thanks to Wish Us Luck Entertainment.

A concert to remember with SCRUBB!

Thai indie pop duo SCRUBB had their debut concert in Manila on February 10 at 123 Block, Mandaluyong. The band, composed of lead vocalist Thawatpon Wongboonsiri a.k.a. Muey, and guitarist Torpong Chantabubpha a.k.a. Ball, has been an active part of the Thai indie music scene for more than 20 years now, releasing six full studio albums plus three compilation albums.

Currently, their newfound international popularity was spurred on by the 2020 romcom BL series 2Gether with lead actors Vachirawit Chivaaree and Metawin Opas-iamkajorn, more popularly known as Bright and Win. In the story, the two protagonists first meet each other while attending a SCRUBB concert. SCRUBB’s music also played a pivotal role in the show as their songs became the main soundtrack. The show’s apparent success propped up the band to do shows in neighboring Asian countries such as Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, and of course, the Philippines.

The show had 2 opening acts. First up was Elijah Canlas who is known as an actor who also dabbles in singing and rapping. He treated the crowd to a bunch of his unreleased tracks, including one titled “Loved Song” plus his debut single “kilala kita”. The 2nd opening act for the evening was indie rocker Toneejay who performed “Parang Magic”, “Aurora”, “Bawat Piyesa” and the crowd favorite “711”.

When SCRUBB took the stage, the Filipino crowd gave them the warmest welcome, cheering as loud as possible. The fans’ immense love for the series also translated to their love for the music as they sang along to the majority of the songs word-for-word. The setlist included a great number of songs from the OST of 2Gether including “Together”, “Deep”, “You Revolve Around Me, I Revolve Around You”, “Answer” and “Click”– all these they knew by heart.

Another striking thing about the concert was the audience’s pleasant reception. When Muey gestured to wave their hands in the air and danced, they mirrored his movements. Made up of mostly younger people (high school to college students), the crowd went along with the melodies, singing and jumping along as they pleased.

“Thank you for coming! I feel excited to be here today,” Ball told the crowd. As the more vocal one in the duo, he said that he was amazed that people sang along to their songs even though the lyrics were mostly in Thai. Muey also thanked the crowd repeatedly at the end of each song by putting his hands together and saying “khob khun ka” which means “thank you”. He also expressed his desire to come back here in the future.

Special thanks to Gabi Na Naman Productions!

by Sandra Mae Laureano

Twenty is such a definitive number.

Ebe Dancel, with the special participation of Mitch Singson, played Dramachine 20 Years Later at 123 Block, Mandaluyong on February 3. People in their late 20s to 40s filled the venue with one thing in mind: hear the good, old songs from an era now gone.

SEE ALSO: Ebe Dancel on Music, Friendship, Beginnings, and His Career

Sugarfree’s Sa Wakas celebrated its 20th anniversary exactly a year ago, and I was there to see the two commemorative concerts, but it didn’t hit me as hard as Dramachine turned 20 this year.

I distinctly remember that album as a young girl who was slowly discovering the wonders that music had to offer. I used to see the music video on MYX and MTV and hear it repeatedly on the now-defunct radio station NU107. Sugarfree’s Dramachine was an album I just knew even if I wasn’t an avid fan of the band back then.

They were there whenever I turned on the TV to watch the weekly charts or listened to the now-defunct NU107 on the weekends. I knew the songs by frequent association even though I didn’t own a personal copy of the album. As a high school girl who vaguely knew anything about romance, listening to “Prom” made me think that must be what it was like to fall for someone (even if our school didn’t have a prom). I would play ”Kwarto” as I was cleaning my room, pretending to feel sentimental about throwing a piece of paper that contained my ramblings. I would laugh at the kid in the “Hari Ng Sablay” music video who constantly tripped and made a fool of himself, thinking that would never be me in the future.

Ah, that was 20 years ago now. Things are much different now. Seeing Ebe Dancel sing them last Saturday gave me one hell of a throwback, I couldn’t quite get over it until now.

The show was opened by Jam Quijano, a singer/songwriter from Los Banos, whose voice soared as he sang. He performed his original song “Bribe My Heart” which was produced by Ebe Dance, as well as “Otherwise” and “Duyan”l. He also covered Rico Blanco’s song “Wag Mong Aminin” which he considers to be one of the best songs ever composed.

Everyone was thrilled when Ebe Dancel, Mitch Singson, and the band appeared onstage. It felt unreal to prematurely hear the opening chords of “Kwarto” as the opening song, but it heralded the beginning of the show, and there was no looking back from there. The audience sang along to it on cue, it was difficult to think 20 years had passed.

Most of Dramachine’s core was played: the dreamy teenage anthem “Prom”, the comforting lullaby “Tulog Na” and the unmissable “Hari Ng Sablay”. Ebe even asked a fan in the front row to sing “Kwentuhan”, and he delivered, singing each word by heart.

He also played “Bawat Daan” which he composed for the Sugarfree musical Sa Wakas: A Pinoy Rock Musical and a wedding/proposal favorite. “Wag Ka Nang Umiyak” and “Makita Kang Muli” created a unified karaoke in the pit.

A week ago, the show got postponed due to Ebe Dancel’s health. Fast forward to that evening, he was in his best condition – untouchably affable to everyone, his vocals and energy as crystal clear as ever. Being part of the crowd was such a great experience, it made 20 years’ worth of memories more vibrant, and more important.

Before the show, it was announced that it would be the last Ebe and Mitch play together in a while. In the middle of the concert, he reiterated the fact and said, “It’s just the way things go”. He recounted that after Mitch left the band in 2006, the two of them kept in touch, and it was during that time that they became really good friends.

While Ebe Dancel had kept mum about their other bandmates during their previous concerts, he broke his silence and acknowledged Sugarfree’s bassist Jal Taguibao and drummer Kaka Quisumbing that night. He thanked them repeatedly for their contribution to the band and their music.

The setlist was staggeringly composed of 22 songs. The band had to take a break in between to rest (insert age jokes here). For the 2nd part of the show, Ebe Dancel did a solemn acoustic set by himself. Dedicating “Wala Nang Hihilingin” to his loved ones who passed away recently, he sang with such intensity that he couldn’t help but get emotional towards the end. This was followed by the B-sides “Fade Away” and “Kandila” which he rarely ever played in any of his gigs.

Sa Wakas favorites “Mariposa”, “Unang Araw”, “Telepono” and “Insomya” also filled the night.

“Dear Kuya” and “Kung Ayaw Mo Na Sa Akin” from Tala-Arawan were also welcome additions.

Ebe dedicated “Hang Over” from Morning And Airports to his sweetheart who could not be present in the show because she was sick.

Ebe Dancel thanked the fans again and again. “You are the reason behind this show. Wala po kami dito ngayon kung di niyo pinapakinggan ang aming mga kanta 20 years ago,” he said. Indeed, he made sure the audience played a pivotal role in the concert as he constantly looked out for their reactions and made them sing along as much as he could. The crowd then gave back the same energy which was palpable throughout the show.

The forever finale “Burnout” signaled the end of a great night. The sentiment of everyone who attended the show is most probably summed up in the lyrics: “O, kay tagal din kitang mamahalin”. Dramachine might have been released 20 years ago and Sugarfree might no longer be together, but the music and the feeling it evokes lives on and grows even now.

In his social media post the day after, Ebe Dancel said:

“Last night’s show was full of love. (…) Thank you for loving the songs still after all the years. Thank you for keeping me in the music industry for 25 years now. Thank you for making my life most extraordinary. I love you guys. Ebe and Mitch, finally signing off.”

Special thanks to Balcony Entertainment

By Sandra Mae Laureano

ENHYPEN concluded their second world tour, FATE, enthralling 327,000 fans with 21 shows across 13 cities!

With ENHYPEN WORLD TOUR “FATE”, ENHYPEN once again drew to close their world tour on the Philippine concert stage, bringing together ENGENEs from all over the nation to the New Clark City Stadium to witness the writing of a history of Heeseung, Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo, Jungwon, and Ni-ki for the Philippine concert scene. Their amazing showmanship, captivating stage presence, charming personalities, and love for their fans were all on display as they performed their songs with passion and flair throughout. This was all topped off by an aesthetically stunning stage production that featured lavish stage effects and stunning pyrotechnics, and ENGENEs’ tremendous enthusiasm, relentless cheering, and solid support.

On February 3, exactly one year after the start of their historic MANIFESTO in Manila performances in 2023, the K-Pop powerhouse successfully wrapped out their second world tour, dubbed FATE, at the Philippines’ New Clark City Stadium. The septet ended their eagerly awaited six-month global tour and made performance history in the Philippines by being the first K-Pop artist to perform at the New Clark City Stadium.

The boy group and their devoted supporters worked together to produce fantastic moments that gave FATE the most stellar finish. The riveting three-hour show at New Clark City, presented by PULP Live World, opened with ENHYPEN’s signature performances, which included crowd favorites like “Drunk-Dazed” and “Blockbuster,” hits from their earlier albums like “Future Perfect (Pass the MIC),” “Shout Out,” “Go Big or Go Home,” “Let Me In (20 CUBE),” and their most recent releases like “Bite Me,” “Bills,” “Criminal Love,” and “Sweet Venom.”

The excitement was palpable even before the event began, as ENGENEs never stopped applauding for their sevEN, who kept solidifying their place as one of their generation’s biggest idols. With their signature “One, two, connect! Hello, we are ENHYPEN!” greeting, Heeseung, Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo, Jungwon, and Ni-ki formally welcomed Philippine ENGENEs to their concert, then each of them gave their greetings.

Leader Jungwon conveyed his joy at seeing the fans again. Jay agreed, saying, “Bumalik kami para sa inyo.” Jake then expressed his appreciation to ENGENEs for being with them as they wind up their second global tour. “FATE Tour, which began in Seoul in July last year, is coming to an end tonight at the New Clark City. I’m very excited to do it and be able to wrap up our tour in the New Clark City Stadium. Thank you for coming out tonight,” he said.

Enthralling over 327,000 ENGENEs worldwide, the ENHYPEN WORLD TOUR “FATE” took place over 13 cities and 21 performances. On the FATE Tour, Heeseung, Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo, Jungwon, and Ni-ki made history by headlining bigger venues, setting records as the K-Pop boy band to host a solo concert at the Tokyo Dome in the shortest amount of time since their debut, and making their historic stadium debut in the United States at Dignity Health Sports Park in Los Angeles.

Looking back on their international tour, ENHYPEN expressed their profound appreciation, saying, “Words cannot fully express the happiness we’ve felt over the past six months of FATE. As the tour progressed, our appreciation and affection for ENGENEs grew immensely. ENHYPEN will strive to become ENGENEs’ greatest pride. I hope today’s show is etched in your hearts as a cherished memory.”

During FATE IN NEW CLARK CITY, the members spoke with the audience in both Filipino and English as they actively interacted with them during the performance. They tried their hardest to get closer to the crowd by moving carts, showering them with emotional “salamat po” and “mahal kita,” and bringing out Pikachu as their special guest. In addition, Heeseung, Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo, Jungwon, and Ni-ki prepared a variety of gifts for the fans. These included performances on the piano and guitar by Heeseung and Jay, covers of Justin Bieber’s “Love Yourself” by Jake, Never the Strangers’ “Moving Closer” by Sunoo, Zack Tabudlo’s “Give Me Your Forever” by Heeseung, SB19’s “Gento” dance by Sunghoon, and MIMS’ “Like This” dance by Ni-ki.

In addition to ENHYPEN’s outstanding stages, the ENGENEs’ immense energy, unwavering applause, and cohesive support were equally impressive. While the ENGENEs’ wave of lights emphasized the beauty of the full stadium, the fan projects showed their commitment to providing Heeseung, Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo, Jungwon, and Ni-ki with the most magnificent memory and well-earned show of love. These included bus advertisements, fan zones, the “PH ENGENE LOVES ENHA ♡ HBD YJW” aerial banner, a sea of orange flowers, Jungwon’s birthday projects, sing-along moments, and more. “Looking at all of these fan projects, I don’t want the concert to end. So, as ENHYPEN, we will do our best to return,” stated Sunghoon.

“This is the Philippines I remember.”

JAY

Heeseung, Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo, Jungwon, and Ni-ki returned to the stage to perform “One In A Billion.” Constantly amazed by the incredible enthusiasm and thunderous applause of the audience, the members praised ENGENEs for their unwavering support. Each member gave their parting speech to the crowd, with Jay being the first to thank them for making the event amazing. “This stage was only made possible by ENGENE. It’s all because of you, guys,” he uttered. He continued by pledging to work harder than ever to make ENGENEs proud.

“I have been really counting down the days we meet you all today. Being back here after a year, I really want to show our ENGENE how much ENHYPEN strives to improve day by day. Also, concert at a stadium is not easy for all of us, and yet thank you so much for making all your effort to come here so far. Tonight, was very special to us, because this stage was only made possible by ENGENE. It’s all because of you, guys. Thank you so much… with ENGENE on our back, we’ll never get tired. Just as how we promised every time, we will continue to strive harder as we would like to be the proudest and luckiest seven of all of ENGENE. Thank you for always being our great energy. Thank you so much. Mahal kita. Love you!”

JAY

Echoing Jay’s remarks, Sunoo expressed his appreciation for all the support that let him wrap out the tour without any regrets. “I am very happy to end the second world tour with so many ENGENEs in the Philippines,” he remarked. Jungwon reflected on the previous year and the extent of their growth over the tour. Like his members, he committed to keep evolving and asked that ENGENEs stay with them on their journey. “There’s nothing we can wish more than ENGENEs being by our side all the time. ENGENEs, will you stay with us until the end? Pinky promise! It’s a pinky promise we made today,” he said.

“We are at the end of our second world tour, FATE. I really cannot believe this is happening. I am very happy to end the second world tour with so many ENGENEs in the Philippines. Yesterday, during the rehearsal, I thought the venue was too big. I was also nervous because I prepared something for ENGENEs. Did you like it? Thank you! Mahal kita. Thank you very much. Because of you, ENGENE, who never got tired of showing us your support as our last stop in Asia, and as FATE comes to an end, I do not have regrets. Next time we meet, we will come back with a better self. Thank you very much to everyone who came. Salamat po! Mahal kita!”

SUNOO

“Last July, when we first started our FATE Tour in Seoul, every time we meet ENGENEs from all parts of the world… we have grown more this year than last year and we will continue to grow next year. So please be with us. Those words are really from the center of my heart… There’s nothing we can wish more than ENGENEs being by our side all the time. ENGENEs, will you stay with us until the end? Pinky promise! It’s a pinky promise we made today! Thank you for being with us until late night. Guys, see you soon! Salamat, ENGENE, mahal kita!”

JUNGWON

Sunghoon also shared his memories of the tour and thanked ENGENEs for being a part of it. “Thank you very much that the ending of the FATE Tour is with you, ENGENEs and here at the New Clark City Stadium,” he stated. Moreover, he pledged to put in more effort and return to more stadiums worldwide to meet more people. “We, ENHYPEN, will try our best and give our all to come back to this stadium and more stadiums in the world.”

“It has been six months since we started the FATE Tour. When I think about the six-month period of time, we can say that’s been a long time, but now I look back from Seoul to the Philippines, and time passed by swiftly. Actually, we have another concert in Seoul, but officially FATE Tour’s last stop is in the Philippines. Thank you very much for the ending of the FATE Tour with you, ENGENEs, and here at the New Clark City Stadium. Actually, I am really happy in those six months even though a lot has happened. Thank you to overseas ENGENEs as well. We, ENHYPEN, will try our best and give our all to come back to this stadium and more stadiums in the world. ENGENE, mahal kita!”

SUNGHOON

Like his members, Jake expressed his happiness that the best was left for last, praising the incredible enthusiasm of the crowd that evening. “We will be ending our FATE Tour with such an amazing audience, with amazing people. Thank you, guys, for being here tonight,” he continued. He expressed his hope that ENHYPEN will bring joy to their supporters as well. “From the bottom of my heart, I truly cherish and truly love you guys so much. Always, mahal kita,” he said.

“Philippines is our last stop for the FATE World Tour. We are just so happy that we saved the best for last. We will be ending our FATE Tour with such an amazing audience, with amazing people. Thank you, guys, for being here tonight. Through seven of us, through ENHYPEN, I hope that each and every one of you is able to be happy and get through tough times and always smile thinking of us. That makes us happy. Thank you, guys, for giving us so much love and support. From the bottom of my heart, I truly cherish and truly love you guys so much. Always, mahal kita!”

JAKE

Heeseung expressed gratitude to ENGENEs for letting them perform in the stadium. “Finally, here at the stadium, and this result is made by our lovely and cute ENGENEs,” he remarked. He continued by promising to return as soon as possible for their supporters, hinting at their plans, which included a new release. Additionally, Heeseung encouraged followers to get in touch with him and share updates about their activities with him via Weverse, saying that he was curious about what they were up to. Ni-ki expressed his wish that everyone will always treasure their memories of FATE IN NEW CLARK CITY. “Stay healthy until we see each other again. Thank you for all your support. Thank you, ENGENEs! Mahal kita,” he said.

“Finally, here at the stadium, this result is made by our lovely and cute ENGENEs. Hopefully, we will be back really soon. I hope you, guys, stick around. Promise? Mahal kita!”

HEESEUNG

“To show my love for ENGENEs, I really gave my best and my heart in each performance. I hope today remains a memory to cherish. We will see you again soon, right? I will miss you all very much. Stay healthy until we see each other again. Thank you for all your support. Thank you, ENGENEs! Mahal kita!”

NI-KI

Even more memorable was the encore performance of “Karma,” which brought the evening to a conclusion with a stunning fireworks show. But the evening was far from over. The boy group played “Future Perfect (Pass the MIC)” again as part of their encore. Once more, the members descended onto the stage and climbed onto the moving carts to have a closer look at the fans around the stadium. The members showed their love for the fans by saying “mahal kita” and “salamat po” while displaying a stunning firework display and hearts full of appreciation.

With a final bow, ENHYPEN closed FATE IN NEW CLARK CITY with Jungwon’s final message, “Being able to step on any stage without any fear is always possible because we have ENGENEs by our side. Thank you to all ENGENEs who continued to support us from our first world tour to our second world tour, FATE. This has been ENHYPEN!”

Adding to the enthusiasm around FATE, ENHYPEN is returning to Korea for an encore performance, ENHYPEN WORLD TOUR ‘FATE PLUS’ IN SEOUL, initially slated for February 24 and 25 only. The boy group’s unparalleled worldwide appeal was highlighted by the instantaneous sell-out of the presale tickets, which led to the announcement of an additional performance date for February 23.

[#오늘의ENHYPEN] NEW CLARK CITY~ Big shoutout to all of you for making FATE in ASIA unforgettable. Thank you so much #ENGENE for giving so much love and happiness to #ENHYPEN during the FATE tour. Stay tuned for more amazing performances! Be happy everyone! 💖 #240203 @ FATE in… pic.twitter.com/u77zZqk87R

— ENHYPEN OFFICIAL (@ENHYPEN) February 3, 2024

ENHYPEN WORLD TOUR “FATE” IN NEW CLARK CITY is presented by BELIFT LAB, HYBE, YJ PARTNERS, PULP Live World, and Happee Hour. Special thanks to PULP Live World and Happee Hour for the invitation.

Words by Dan; Photos and media courtesy of HYBE and BELIFT LAB.

Follow the tunnel, into the magical and mystical portals as Melanie Martinez becomes a four-eyed nymph creature that’s stuck between Earth and the afterlife.

Melanie Martinez, who is “back from the dead”, brought her fairyland “Portals Tour” to the World Trade Center last January 23, 2024, and for the first time, the multi-platinum artist performed in the Philippines—presented by LiveNation.

It had been a long time coming but she finally included the Philippines in her Asian leg for the tour, as Filipino Earthlings raised hand banners that said, “We’ve waited nine years for this!” And it was worth it as there were not enough words to easily describe her concert, truly one of a kind.

‘Littlebodybigheart’

Tangled in the spider-web of her indescribable gimmick, the ‘SOAP’ singer, successfully took Manila into her dimension and proved that she was not any other artist in the industry when she put on her fairy mask on stage and committed to it while performing her long-awaited setlist to the Manila stage. As concert-goers, we have seen artists from across the world, but there was no one like Melanie Martinez. She took the ethereal ambiance from the world she envisioned her fairy character lived in while she brought in her uniquely haunted tracks from her ‘Portals’ album and brought them to life on stage. It was a sight. It was a mesmerizing sight. Melanie is an effective storyteller and every song was well-thought-out on how it was going to translate in her theater.

Not only the artist but her band, and her dancers embodied and belonged in her void, as well as her fans. Fans always dress up during concerts; with cute outfits, or a themed colored dress code but the Philippine Earthlings, just like their mother nymph, did not JUST dress up. They came in with elven ears, some with incredible costumes and clothes that matched the Faerie Soiree ball.

The whole setlist brought in surprise after surprise, with visualization from the VCR that matched the songs; even the butterfly confetti that showered the crowd looked incredible. It was also a battle of the larynx with her fans as expected of the Filipino crowd to belt everything from the catalog of their favorite artist. ‘The Contortionist’ star professed her love to the crowd, as she said, “Manila, you’re the best! Thank you so much!”

Overall, the event was a distinctive experience, just like listening to her music which took a whole different direction from her previous works. All her Philippine fans now ask is for the Trilogy Tour, her fifth international tour so they can experience playing in her dollhouse.

Setlist:

• Death
• Void
• Tunnel Vision
• Faerie Soiree
• Light Shower
• Spider Web
• Battle of the Larynx
• The Contortionist
• Moon Cycle
• Nymphology
• Evil
• Womb

Encore

• Dollhouse
• Highschool Sweethearts
• Soap

Words and photos by Arielle Elep

Special thanks to Live Nation Philippines

It was The Rose’s third time in Manila, yet seeing them again felt like seeing them in a brand new light.

Korean rock band, The Rose, composed of Kim Woosung, Park Dojoon, Lee Jaehyeong, and Lee Hajoon, brought their Dawn to Dusk Tour at the Araneta Coliseum on January 26.

From playing venues like Samsung Hall for their We Rose You Tour in 2019 and Skydome for their Heal Together Tour in 2023, the band was now headlining the Big Dome. Flocked by a hefty number of their fans called the Black Roses, the show featured most of their newer tracks from their 2023 album DUAL plus a few songs from their older EPs, showing off the quartet’s immense growth as artists and performers.

As the lights went out, a loud buzzing shrill from a synth was heard, immediately putting the crowd into a daze. When Woosung belted out the words, “Take me to the dark” from their opening song “Eclipse”, the effect was immediate – everyone was frenetically singing and cheering. The song, which originally sounded more sluggish and downcast in the album, became more electric and upbeat. It was as if the song took on a whole new meaning live. That, among other things, was one of the many things that made the experience of seeing The Rose worth it.

Their setlist, composed of 23 songs, highlighted the recently released tracks from their new album. The synth-pop-infused melodies of “You’re Beautiful”, “Lifeline” and “Nauseous” got the crowd dancing. Meanwhile, their older tracks like “RED”, “Take Me Down”, “I.L.Y.” and “Sorry” were welcome stepbacks to their past. Things turned slightly sentimental for songs like “Angel”, “Definition of ugly is” and “She’s in the Rain”.

“You guys are truly, truly Filipinos because everybody here is a good singer, I can tell,” Woosung told the crowd that screamed every word as they played “Back to Me”. “I can see that you guys are filling in half of this concert with your voices so thank you for that!”

Indeed, Filipino Black Roses’ support was so overwhelming, that even Woosung dubbed the concert “The Rose featuring Black Roses”. They did their homework, memorized the songs, and sang their hearts out. They even prepared fan projects which included a banner event and a cloth-waving event.

Before playing “Sorry”, Woosung reminisced that it was the song that started their story as a band. They started playing together 7 years ago in Hongdae, a known area for busking and arts in Seoul. Their first show was a place that had around 20 people in the audience, most of which are their friends. “After 7 years, we are here in front of you guys in Manila, sharing our energy, sharing our music,” he said while scanning the size of the crowd. “We also believe that music is healing, music moves people’s hearts, and music finds people that need them. Thank you so much for coming!”

Likewise, it was a pleasure to see The Rose again and in a bigger venue this time. It’s amazing how they incorporated different electro-pop elements with their blend of pop-rock music which makes their songs easy on the ears and stadium-ready. Along with this, the quality of their show has also leveled up with a more elaborate stage design and lighting. All in all, it is a highly enjoyable show!

by Sandra Mae Laureano

Special thanks to Ovation Productions and AEG Presents Asia

The Rose – Dawn to Dusk Live in Manila – Setlist

1. Eclipse
2. Dawn
3. You’re Beautiful
4. Shift
5. Lifeline
6. Red
7. Nauseous
8. Back to Me
9. Yes
10. ILY
11. Time
12. Beauty and the Beast
13. Dusk
14. Angel
15. Definition of Ugly Is
16. Take Me Down
17. Alive
18. Sorry
19. Cure
20. She’s in the Rain
21. Sour
22. Cosmo
23. Wonder

Bulacan turned NEO CITY last Sunday with the return of NCT 127 to the Philippine concert stage with their third world tour!

Bringing the NCT 127 3RD TOUR ‘NEO CITY: BULACAN – THE UNITY to their Philippine NCTzens at the Philippine Sports Stadium on January 21, Johnny, Taeyong, Yuta, Doyoung, Jaehyun, Jungwoo, Mark, and Haechan finally returned to the nation after more than a year apart. As he is currently on leave for health reasons, member Taeil was not present for the show.

A magnificent concert production, THE UNITY IN BULACAN featured the boy group performing their songs with energy and flair throughout. The show included lavish light displays, pyrotechnics, stage effects, decorations, and a stunning set design. The concert, which marked the boy group’s first stadium performance since embarking on their world tour, was rock solid, no flaws, with the moon shining brightly and the stars, in the color of neo pearl champagne, lighting up the stadium.

Johnny, Taeyong, Yuta, Doyoung, Jaehyun, Jungwoo, Mark, and Haechan descended onto the stage in all-white ensembles and opened the concert with a stirring introduction. This was followed by consecutive stages of “Punch,” “Superhuman,” and “Ay-Yo.” Without pausing, the boys launched into “Crash Landing,” “Space,” “Time Lapse,” and “Skyscraper.” The stadium was filled with an unparalleled and exquisite mood as the lights of the Neo Bong illuminated it.

Having taken the stage with powerful performances, NCT 127 introduced themselves with their signature greeting, “To the world, 여긴 NCT! Hi, we are NCT 127!” One by one, the members greeted NCTzens, expressing their longing for the Philippines and their desire to provide their fans with a joyous concert and unforgettable experiences. “We did a rehearsal this morning. The sky was amazing, but the nighttime with you, guys, is even better,” said Jaehyun.

“Magandang gabi! It’s been a long time, right? We really, really, missed you, guys, Philippines, really, really. We finally made it, right?”

TAEYONG

High spirits, NCTzens showed their undying support for their beloved boys who kept giving amazing performances of “Parade,” which was exquisitely matched with rainbow confetti, “DJ,” “Yacht,” and “Je Ne Sais Quoi.” It was truly the perfect ocean view. To interact with their fans more closely, the members also made efforts to circle the stage.

Even so, NCT 127 continues to dazzle, emerging from the stage atop fire trucks for “Fire Truck” and performing with a passion that matches the boisterous applause from the stadium’s audience. Whilst “Fire Truck” had everyone on their feet, “Sit Down” had the crowd sat, jaw-dropped and enthralled. Even as everyone sought to recuperate from the constant delivery of heated and fired-up stages, the boy group lost no time in proving to the Philippine concert stage that NCT 127 is the biggest hit on the stage tonight with “Chain” and “Cherry Bomb”.

At a little slower pace, Johnny, Taeyong, Yuta, Doyoung, Jaehyun, Jungwoo, Mark, and Haechan delighted NCTzens with their lovely vocals in the songs “Gold Dust,” “Fly Away with Me,” “White Lie,” and “Love is Beauty.” Then, dressed in all red, they returned to the stage and lit it on fire once more with “Simon Says.” Probably one of the most anticipated stages of the evening—”Tasty”—was performed rock solid, no flaws on the raised stage surrounded by chairs. There was no time to take a breather from the boys’ outstanding performance on each stage as they went on to “Favorite.”

As NCTzens prepared to delve into the triple-threat performances, the Philippine concert audience once again demonstrated their dominance over the concert scene with the 127 squad opening off the set strong with “Kick It”. Two baddies, two baddies, one Porsche filled the stadium in “2 Baddies”, before the boy group ended the set with the iconic move, my motion in “Fact Check”.

The encore stages gave NCTzens “Angel Eyes” and NCT 127’s newest song, “Be There For Me”. Before saying farewell, Johnny, Taeyong, Yuta, Doyoung, Jaehyun, Jungwoo, Mark, and Haechan conveyed their sincere appreciation to Philippine NCTzens “for sharing this wonderful moment” with them. They also gave a shout-out to their eldest hyung, Moon Taeil.

“We love you very much. Thank you for sharing this wonderful moment with us, under this beautiful moon. MOON TAEIL, we miss you too. Thank you, Philippines! We’ll be back! Remember, NCT 127 will always, ALWAYS, be there for you!”

JOHNNY

Along with that, the boys pledged to support their fans no matter what and to return as soon as the chance sprung up. “We will come back to give better performances. Until then, you will wait for us, right? You will really wait for us, right? See you again next time! PHILIPPINES, I LOVE YOU!” said Haechan.

“It was such a beautiful, beautiful night tonight… The next time we’re here, I think we should have at least two days! Thank you so much for being patient, for sending us support from afar… We really love you. Thank you!”

MARK

Additionally, they expressed their gratitude to the Philippine NCTzens for their continuous support and strong enthusiasm during the evening’s performances. “Because of you guys, we felt so touched tonight. Thank you all so much. Thank you all for the great energy,” Jaehyun said. “Last, but not the least, I’ll always be right here doing my best. I hope you all be there for me. Thank you!”

Taeyong also stated his admiration for NCTzens’ support and his desire to interact with them frequently. “We can’t meet often, but you guys always support us and give us a lot of energy. It really makes me happy. I want to say, really, really thank you so much. We really love you, Philippines! I really want us to meet often…” Yuta expressed his gratitude for the applause that kept him going throughout the show. “Actually, my body condition was not really great, so I was worried. But because of your cheers, I was able to finish it safely. We cannot come here more often, but thank you so much for your support. Love you, guys! Thank you!” Echoing his members’ sentiments on the remarkable energy of the crowd that night, Doyoung said, “Actually, I heard your amazing loud voice, so when you go home, please take care of your voice. Drink a lot of water please. We promise to come back to the Philippines again. Please support us. Thank you!”

“I’m actually taking unforgettable memories tonight. We will take this energy as an element so we can perform better in other countries as well. I think I’ll never forget your energy. Thank you so much for your valuable time and we’ll make sure to come back next time if there’s an opportunity. Thank you so much!”

JUNGWOO

NCTzens prepared a variety of fan support for NCT 127 in addition to their energetic and proud cheers for the boy group. These included a banner project with the words, “I’ll be there for you, and sing along as we promised.” Fans also brought banners with messages for the members and adorable photos.

Under the lovely moon and the brightest NCTzen stars, NCT 127 3RD TOUR ‘NEO CITY: BULACAN – THE UNITY was an unforgettable night. NCTzens left the concert with amazing memories of an evening of a lifetime, a hope to meet again, and a promise to always be there for each other—like their last song of the night, “Promise You”—thanks to the boys’ outstanding performances and the magnificent stage production that heightened the excitement for the boy group’s highly anticipated return to the Philippine concert stage.

“I’ll be there for you, and sing along as we promised.”#NEOCITY_THE_UNITY_in_BULACAN is a wonderful memory on this beautiful, beautiful night with NCT 127 and NCTzens lighting up the Philippine Sports Stadium neo pearl champagne 💚

Special thanks to @dnmentph @in2une_ent pic.twitter.com/LgEPlACdVH

— Philippine Concerts (@philconcerts) January 21, 2024

NCT 127 3RD TOUR ‘NEO CITY: BULACAN – THE UNITY was presented by DNM Entertainment and In2une Entertainment. Special thanks to DNM Entertainment for the invitation to the event.

With his debut solo concert tour, The Other Side, Mark Tuan makes a remarkable comeback to the Philippine concert scene after nearly five years.

The first solo performance of Mark Tuan in the Philippines, which showcased his other side to his fans who came to celebrate his comeback to the local concert scene, brought the GOT7 tingi era to a perfect finish last January 14 at the SM Skydome.

The MARK TUAN “THE OTHER SIDE” ASIA TOUR IN MANILA, featuring a set list of more than 20 songs, was a once-in-a-million experience that highlighted his artistic ability and artistry. With songs from his debut studio album, the other side, he kicked off the event with “after hours (interlude)”, “save me”, “change up”, “exhausted”, and “at my low”. After that, he welcomed his Filipino Ahgase and thanked them for joining him on his maiden tour. “It means a lot to have you on my first tour,” he stated.

Welcome to our side, Mark Tuan 💚#TheOtherSideinMNL @pulpliveworld @happeehour pic.twitter.com/XZDvt0RKvb

— Philippine Concerts (@philconcerts) January 14, 2024

Mark Tuan is the final member of GOT7 to visit the Philippines in what fans have dubbed the “GOT7 tingi,” alluding to the members’ solo trips to the country following their Keep Spinning concert in 2019. In 2022, Youngjae, BamBam, Jackson, Yugyeom, and Jay B made their individual comebacks to their Philippine Ahgases. In 2023, Jinyoung followed suit by holding his own solo fan meetup. BamBam and Yugyeom also made a comeback to see Ahgases live. And at last, Mark returned to our side in 2024 and finished the checklist in time for GOT7’s tenth anniversary on January 16.

The singer said that he was aware of the members’ visits and had been told that he was the last to appear to finish the set. “I’m sorry it took a while,” he said. It was absolutely worth the wait, nevertheless, as the artist did not hold back in providing the audience with an unforgettable evening.

Afterward, Mark Tuan performed more songs from the other side album, including “let u go“, “far away”, “last breath”, “my life”, “broken”, “selfish”, “hard 2 love”, “more”, “2 faces”, “lonely”, “my name”, and “imysm”. He was accompanied in “2 faces” by wesdaboy, who also worked the crowd up before the show began by performing tracks from his own album, down bad but upright. Additionally, Mark performed many tracks from his most recent album, Fallin’, including “Your World,” “Fallin’,” “Everyone Else Fades,” “Night Still Young,” and “Carry Me Out.” Ahgases also saw him play “One In A Million,” a song he performed with Sanjoy, and “Never Gonna Come Down,” a song he recorded with BIBI for the Shang-Chi and The Legend of the Ten Rings.

Never HARD 2 LOVE 🥹 Mark Tuan brings out Fallin’, My World, Selfish, Hard 2 Love, and more tonight at #TheOtherSideinMNL!@pulpliveworld pic.twitter.com/IMuCetJArj

— Philippine Concerts (@philconcerts) January 14, 2024

Mark Tuan received great memories, including several fan projects, from Ahgases, who gave him a lot of love. Via a video presentation, the fans relived different GOT7 memories and expressed gratitude to Mark for coming back and to the members for continuing GOT7.

“Thank you for coming back to us—your home. From being the hyung of six boys, you embarked on your own journey and found your colors. And we want to say that you shine in it—even more radiant than ever. You shared a piece of who you are through your songs, and those songs really resonate with us. It is as if you also know what we are going through. Even though you were on the other side of the world, you did not leave us alone. You wish that you could be better for us. You wish you could’ve done more, but we want you to know that you are more than enough. This is your destiny—to be the artist that inspires and shines brightly, especially on stage. Keep up what you are doing. We’ll always be here to support and be proud of you. We’ll be your Ahgases, while you’ll be our one in a million, until our last breath. Every Filo Ahgase has been waiting for you! We missed you so much. Maybe you also heard our voice from far away. From the other side, you’re now here, right before our eyes. So, in this moment, from the front to the back, we’ll scream out loud.”

TO MARK, FROM AHGASES

PH 💚 MT! All love for Mark Tuan tonight at #TheOtherSideinMNL!@pulpliveworld pic.twitter.com/g14wKWH56K

— Philippine Concerts (@philconcerts) January 14, 2024

Mark assured the supporters that he would always be around and thanked them for their kind words and special projects. “I’m here now. I’m here with you, guys. I want you guys to know that I’m gonna be here for you guys. And also, the rest of the six boys are going to be here for you guys too. As long as you guys know that we’re still GOT7,” he said. With grateful bows, he bid farewell to the crowd that had cheered loudly for Mark and his team.

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MARK TUAN “THE OTHER SIDE” ASIA TOUR IN MANILA was presented by PULP Live World and Happee Hour. Special thanks to PULP Live World and Happee Hour for the invitation.

SEVENTEEN and Philippine Carats once again made their mark in Philippine concert history as they wrote a new first with SEVENTEEN TOUR FOLLOW TO BULACAN!

When CARAT declared, “No matter where we go or who we meet, in the end, it’s SEVENTEEN,” they meant it wholeheartedly, and FOLLOW TO BULACAN was a monument to the steadfast love and support of the fandom who proudly colored the Philippine Sports Stadium last January 13 and 14 with colors of rose quartz and serenity—as in all the venues that saw SEVENTEEN on the Philippine concert stage since 2016.

The country was a witness to the growth of S.Coups, Jeonghan, Joshua, Jun, Hoshi, Wonwoo, Woozi, DK, Mingyu, The8, Seungkwan, Vernon, Dino, and the Philippine Carats. They have come a long way since their two-day SEVENTEEN 1st Asia Tour 2016 Shining Diamond at The Theatre at Solaire, a 1,740-seat auditorium. Each time they visit the Philippines, they write a new chapter in the history of the local concert scene. Through BE THE SUN in Bulacan, they became the first K-Pop group to perform a solo show at the Philippine Arena, the largest indoor arena in the world, in 2022. Now, they’ve made history by being the first musical act to perform two consecutive shows at the Philippine Sports Stadium, as well as the first K-Pop group to perform in a stadium.

From the opening to the closing acts, SEVENTEEN once again dominated the Philippine concert stage. Their outstanding showmanship, enticing stage presence, endearing personalities, and love for their fans were all on display, and all of this was complemented by a visually spectacular stage production.

Once again demonstrating the unrivaled high energy of the Philippine concert crowd, Carats gave fierce cheers as SEVENTEEN took the stage at the Philippine Sports Stadium. The highly-awaited FOLLOW TO BULACAN began with the blazing “Super” stage, one of the lead singles of South Korea’s best-selling album, FML. Then, the boy group performed “Don Quixote” for the first time in person and brought back “Clap” to the local concert stage.

The members—aside from leader S. Coups and Jeonghan, who were unable to attend the concert due to their current recovery from injuries—greeted the crowd with their trademark “Say the name, SEVENTEEN!” before individually saying hello to their fans (leading the horanghae “cult” membership renewal, in Hoshi’s case) and expressing how much they missed Philippine Carats. “We missed you, guys, so much! We’re glad to be back. From soundcheck and right now, you, guys, are crazy, honestly. We really love your energy. Let’s have fun tonight,” said Joshua. Astonished by the number of people in attendance and the unwavering enthusiasm of the crowd, the members devoted their introductions to expressing their gratitude for the support demonstrated by the large number of fans who attended.

“Let’s make fun memories tonight,” encouraged Philippine superstar Dino who reciprocated the loud cheers with a sample performance of his solo song, “Wait”. And in classic SEVENTEEN concert style, the members taught Carats a special chant for FOLLOW TOUR.

With everyone getting set to plunge back into the performances, SEVENTEEN unleashed their timeless hit song “Don’t Wanna Cry,” their pulsating lead single “F*ck My Life” from FML, and the powerful Director’s Cut title song “Thanks.” Carat bongs lit up the stadium, giving the space a starry night sky that complimented the stage lights and fireworks to perfection.

A SEVENTEEN concert is never complete without the unit stages. The vocal team’s Joshua, Woozi, DK, and Seungkwan signaled the beginning of the unit stages with “Dust” and “Pinwheel”. Warming the hearts and bringing tears to the audience’s eyes, the members concluded their performances with a tribute to Jeonghan: “Jeonghan-hyung, hanihae!” Wearing suits, the performance team’s Jun, Hoshi, The8, and Dino left fans speechless as they scorched the stage with a double dose of the much-missed “Highlight” and the eagerly awaited “I Don’t Understand But I Luv U.” The hip-hop team, tasked with capping the unit stages, did not let down, dazzling the audience with a blazing entrance in red and their scorching performances of “Back It Up” and “Fire”.

The boys’ enjoyable parade of performances of “HOME;RUN,” “Left & Right,” and “BEAUTIFUL”—with the members’ lovely “Manila Carats” preceding every “beautiful” lyric and DK’s “Mahal ko kayo” towards the song’s end—kept the party going as they took Philippine Carats to the FOLLOW FESTIVAL. Amidst the loud and clear reverberating “쿵치팍치, 쿵쿵칞팍치, 예” throughout the stadium, the boy group also debuted their newest lead single, “God of Music,” on the Philippine concert stage. The Going SEVENTEEN theme song made a delightful cameo appearance on the local concert scene and concluded the act with smiles.

Sadly, after the unit stages, Seungkwan had to miss the remainder of the performance due to health issues. Even though he tried his hardest to keep up with the concert, the condition he has been experiencing since the morning has made it tough for him to take part in the remaining portions of it. Carats led Seungkwan’s singing parts and chanted his name to make sure he knew how much they loved him.

Carats were treated to a beautiful rendition of “April Shower” by SEVENTEEN, which was followed by a beautiful and touching rendition of “Kidult,” one of the concert’s most anticipated songs. The stadium came to a halt, soaking in the moment and letting the rush of emotions wash over them as DK delivered his high note flawlessly.

The boys then gave strong and engrossing performances of “Anyone” and “Good to Me,” channeling SEVENTEEN racers. The audience was then treated to brief performances of songs not on the set list, like BSS’s “Fighting,” “Dar+ling,” “Mansae,” and “SOS.” With much excitement, Hoshi demonstrated the “SOS” challenge made by a Philippine Carat. Additionally, FOLLOW TO BULACAN had the honor of hosting the Philippine concert stage debut of Pi Cheolin, the peasant who became the CEO of BOMG, widely known as the alter ego of Philippine superstar Dino. The CEO, who recently performed as a rapper for the first time at the Golden Disc Awards, displayed his talents on his “Fighting” collaborative stage with MinSeokSoon.

The stage was set ablaze when “HOT” returned to take center stage. The breathtaking pyrotechnics show brought even more excitement to the already intense performance, making the Philippines’ fireworks capital well-represented.

SEVENTEEN sang “Run to You,” “Together” in English, and “To You” as they made their way around the stadium on moving carts for the encore, getting closer to their Carats in each section. Wonwoo said, “It’s so nice to see your faces.”

Then, Joshua, Jun, Hoshi, Wonwoo, Woozi, DK, Mingyu, The8, Vernon, and Dino gave Carats their parting words, thanking the audience for coming to the show and enjoying themselves to the very end. Carats joined Hoshi in delivering his well-known goodbye speech, having also committed it to memory. The performance leader said, “Thank you.” “I’m really happy today because I am with Carats. Please don’t be sick and please stay healthy. I hope we can meet again. Thank you so much for today. Salamat po.” Wonwoo said.

DK also expressed his gratitude for getting to perform in a stadium. The8 agreed, recalling their performances in the arena in 2022 and the one they are in now—a stadium filled with Carats. “We dreamed of performing on a bigger stage, in a stadium. Because of Carats, we achieved that dream. Mahal ko kayong lahat,” he stated.

“It’s been such a long time since we last came here. We missed you so much, honestly. Every time we come here, your energy is amazing. We always have a great time with you, guys, so we wanted to be back. And, we’re back now. We came to such a big stadium because of you guys. Hopefully, today is a really great memory for you, guys. We’ll be back so don’t worry. Mahal ko kayo!”

JOSHUA

Mingyu and Woozi shared their closing statements in Filipino, saying “mahal ko kayo” and vowing “babalik kami para sa inyo.” Vernon hailed the evening as an “amazing night.” “To perform in this huge stadium with all you guys here was such an amazing thing,” he stated. Reiterating Vernon’s words, Dino described performing in the stadium among Carats as an honor.

“Maraming salamat po! I want to express my gratitude in every different language to you, guys. Because of you, you gave me happy memories and allowed me to live happily every day. Thank you so much for having fun with us. Maraming salamat po!”

JUN

Carats didn’t pass up the chance to show the members how much they are loved and appreciated by creating a banner project dedicated to their favorite boys, SEVENTEEN IS OUR FOREVER HEADLINER, as well as a birthday banner and song for Seungkwan.

With “HIT” and seemingly never-ending “Aju Nice”, SEVENTEEN and Carats jumped along to the music with the greatest fervor, feeling every second and every moment of the realization of a shared dream — to take on bigger stages together.

“You are our headliner, always!”

DINO

SEVENTEEN IS OUR FOREVER HEADLINER. History has been once again written by SEVENTEEN and Philippine Carats as the boy group makes their mark once again in Philippine concert history as the first musical act to hold a solo concert at the Philippine Sports Stadium with FOLLOW TO BULACAN. No matter where we go or who we meet, in the end, it’s SEVENTEEN. Indeed, Philippine Carats did, welcoming S.Coups, Jeonghan, Joshua, Jun, Hoshi, Wonwoo, Woozi, DK, Mingyu, The8, Seungkwan, Vernon, and Dino to the Philippine concert stage every time, on every tour. SEVENTEEN’s every visit to the Philippines has become a new page of history written with their Philippine Carat proudly coloring every venue with rose quartz and serenity since 2016.

Wherever CARAT goes, SEVENTEEN will be there. See you again, Carats! And on every tour, SEVENTEEN never failed to make the Philippines a stop, returning to their Philippine Carats—from their first Asia tour, Shining Diamond, in 2016—the only two-day stop—to wrapping up their first world tour, Diamond Edge, in Manila in 2017, then Ideal Cut in 2018, becoming the last stop of Ode To You in 2020, reuniting in Be The Sun in Manila in 2022, making history at the Philippine Arena with Be The Sun in Bulacan that same year, and once more writing another first in Philippine concert history in 2024 with FOLLOW TO BULACAN.

Until the next “Say the Name, SEVENTEEN!” on the Philippine concert stage with S.Coups, Jeonghan, Joshua, Jun, Hoshi, Wonwoo, Woozi, DK, Mingyu, The8, Seungkwan, Vernon, Dino, and the Philippine Carats.

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The article includes events during Day 1 of FOLLOW TO BULACAN. Special thanks to Live Nation Philippines.

Photo courtesy of TWICE / JYP Entertainment

We had an incredible opportunity to be a part of the electrifying TWICE READY TO BE Tour at the iconic Philippine Arena. From start to finish, the concert was a mesmerizing experience that showcased the group’s exceptional vocals, flawless dance moves, and undeniable stage presence.

From the moment they stepped on stage and opened with their song ‘SET ME FREE,’ the energy was palpable. The crowd of Filipino ONCEs erupted into cheers and applause.

Throughout the sold-out concert, TWICE showcased their versatile talent and charismatic presence. ‘I CAN’T STOP ME’ had the audience dancing and singing along with them. It was a perfect blend of catchy melodies and powerful choreography.

But it didn’t stop there. TWICE also made a special effort to connect with their Filipino fans by speaking in tagalog, which was met with even louder cheers and applause. This gesture truly showed their appreciation for their international fanbase.

One of the highlights of the night was when each member performed solo stages. Dahyun impressed the audience with her beautiful piano rendition of Frozen’s ‘Let It Go’ and Colbie Calliat’s ‘Try.’ Tzuyu showcased her vocal abilities with a mesmerizing cover of Charlie Puth’s ‘Done for Me.’ Sana delivered an electrifying performance of Dua Lipa’s ‘New Rules.’ Momo wowed everyone with her captivating dance cover of Beyoncé’s ‘Move.’ And Mina showcased her versatility by confidently taking on Ariana Grande’s ‘7 Rings.’ They then brought out band versions of ‘Feel Special’, ‘Cry for Me’, ‘Fancy’, and ‘The Feels’.

Jihyo continued the solo stages, taking over the arena with her solo song, ‘Killin’ Me Good’, much to the delight of ONCEs. Jeongyeon put the energy on high with her rendition of Justin Timberlake’s ‘Can’t Stop the Feeling’.

One of my favorite moments was Nayeon’s captivating solo performance of “Pop.” Her powerful vocals and engaging stage presence left the audience in awe, capturing everyone’s attention effortlessly. It was a true testament to Nayeon’s talent and charisma as a performer.

But the performances were far from over. After captivating the audience with their respective solo stages, the girls returned with Queen of Hearts and their title song medley featuring Yes or Yes, What Is Love?, Cheer Up, Likey, Knock Knock, Scientist, and Heart Shaker.

Another unforgettable moment was Jihyo’s “shot puno!” to the Filipino ONCEs which preceded their ‘Alcohol-Free’ stage. Her warm and genuine connection with the fans created an atmosphere of unity and excitement which went on and grew with Dance the Night Away and Talk that Talk.

The members expressed their appreciation to fans who patiently waited for their return to the Philippine concert stage —gratitude that went both ways as ONCEs successfully gave TWICE a fan project to remember with banners of “Thank you for keeping your promise. Thank you for coming back.”

The girl group performed a heartwarming stage of When We Were Kids, followed by Crazy Stupid Love. Making up for the technical problems during her solo in Feel Special, Jihyo treated ONCEs with a repeat performance of her mesmerizing solo. Similarly, the girl group made sure that their fans go home with memories of their best stages, performing Queen of Hearts once more to make up for the audio problems during their first performance of the song.

TWICE closed the first day of READY TO BE in Bulacan with BDZ and HOT.

Throughout the concert, TWICE treated us to a diverse setlist, showcasing their versatility as artists. From their infectious hits to their heartwarming ballads, each song was delivered with precision and passion. The synchronization of their dance routines was astounding, leaving fans in awe of their flawless performances.

But what truly set this concert apart was the undeniable chemistry between the members and their fans. TWICE’s interactions with the audience were heartwarming and genuine, creating an intimate atmosphere despite the massive venue. The love and energy exchanged between them created a memorable experience for everyone present.

The READY TO BE tour was an unforgettable experience filled with non-stop energy, jaw-dropping performances, and heartfelt moments. TWICE proved once again why they are one of the biggest names in K-pop. They left their Filipino ONCEs buzzing with excitement and longing for more. Their ability to create a genuine connection with the audience made this concert truly special. I can confidently say that this concert will be etched in my memory forever.

TWICE READY TO BE in Bulacan Day 1 Setlist

’Set Me Free’
‘I Can’t Stop Me’
‘Go Hard’
‘More & More’
‘Moonlight Sunrise’
‘Brave’
‘Try’ (Colbie Caillat cover by Dahyun)
‘Done for Me’ (Charlie Puth cover by Tzuyu)
‘New Rules’ (Dua Lipa cover by Sana)
‘Move’ (Beyoncé cover by Momo)
‘7 Rings’ (Ariana Grande cover by Mina)
‘Feel Special’
‘Cry for Me’
‘Fancy’
‘The Feels’
‘Killin’ Me Good’ (Jihyo)
‘Can’t Stop the Feeling’ (Justin Timberlake cover by Jeongyeon)
‘Pop!’ (Nayeon)
‘Queen of Hearts’
Medley (‘Yes or Yes’, ‘What Is Love?, ‘Cheer Up’, ‘Likey’, ‘Knock Knock’, ‘Scientist’, ‘Heartshaker’)
‘Alcohol-free’
‘Dance the Night Away’
‘Talk That Talk’
‘When We Were Kids’
‘Crazy Stupid Love’
‘Queen of Hearts’
‘BDZ’
‘HOT’

Special thanks to Live Nation Philippines

Can we just stay here and spend the rest of our days here? 24K magic was in the air as Bruno Mars makes his way back to his home for a bigger concert in the Philippines!

Bruno Mars became the first solo performer to perform two consecutive shows at the biggest indoor stadium in the world by dominating the Philippine concert scene with back-to-back performances at the Philippine Arena. The weekend performances also marked his comeback to the local concert scene five years after his 2018 24K Magic World Tour.

The Filipino-American singer-songwriter kicked off his show with his 2016 smash hit “24K Magic.” Thunderous applause greeted his entrance onto the stage, and in typical Philippine concert crowd flair, the audience immediately took charge and joined in with the singer’s singing. The show’s start time was rescheduled from 7 p.m. to roughly 7:50 p.m. as a number of people were delayed getting to the arena on the first day of the back-to-back shows.

Nonetheless, the enthusiasm continued to permeate the crowd as Bruno Mars performed a setlist that was equal parts party-like, nostalgic, and hard-hitting. Following his “24K Magic” opener, he got the crowd moving more with “Finesse,” and “Treasure,” and then picked up his guitar for an uninterrupted set of “Liquor Store Blues” and “Billionaire.”

With his seductive and funny interval, “Calling All My Lovelies” became more entertaining. “Hey, baby. I’m in the Philippines right now. It’s been a while. Has it been four, five years since I went here? But I still feel the same about you. And it’s still… miss na kita, mahal. I said, miss na kita, mahal. You don’t believe me yet? Watch this,” he said, proceeding to sing miss na kita, mahal. He followed his monologue by singing a portion of “Wake Up in the Sky,” his 2018 collaboration with Gucci Mane and Kodak Black.

Bruno Mars evidently enjoyed the concert, as his smiles lingered throughout. The crowd felt and amplified his energy and attitude, ensuring that the Philippine Arena reverberated with their enthusiasm. In addition to singing along, the audience had a good time dancing and jumping along with the singer during the almost two-hour performance.

With his powerful vocals, infectious energy, and endearing and humorous remarks, Bruno Mars gave an unforgettable performance. Additionally, it highlighted his band, whose members dazzled the audience with solo performances.

He sang “That’s What I Like” and “Please Me” before quickly changing into a different outfit. The Ronettes’ “Be My Baby,” “Marry You,” and “Runaway Baby” were covered by him when he came back on stage for “Versace on the Floor.” Challenging the concertgoers in the Philippines with the game of “if you know the song, sing along”, he performed a medley of “Fuck You,” “Young, Wild & Free,” “Grenade,” “Talking to the Moon,” “Nothin’ On You,” and “Leave the Door Open” while playing the keyboard. He amused the audience by saying, “Stop it, ladies. I’m shy. I’m shy. Nahihiya ako.”

He went on to deliver a heartfelt and emotional performance of “When I Was Your Man”. Giving it to the crowd, the attendees poured their hearts into singing the bridge of the song. Following a keyboard solo by John Fossitt, the singer came back on stage for “Locked Out of Heaven” and “Just the Way You Are”.

“We’ve always wanted to play here. Thank you, guys, so much. This is so beautiful. I hope we can come back real, real soon. I’ll love to see you all again.”

Bruno Mars

Bruno Mars capped off the concert with “Uptown Funk”, turning the arena into a big party one last time that evening.

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BRUNO MARS Live at the Philippine Arena was presented by Live Nation Philippines. Special thanks to Live Nation Philippines.

IVE royally owned the Philippine concert stage during their first fan concert at the Araneta Coliseum on June 17.

The Prom Queens Yujin, Wonyoung, Liz, Gaeul, Rei, and Leeseo set Manila in a daze when they performed their killer stages and spent time with their fans DIVEs in IVE THE FIRST FAN CONCERT The Prom Queens. Presented by DNM Entertainment, the show became a core memory for the ladies of IVE and DIVEs.

As one of the hottest K-pop girl groups at present, IVE have been steadily making waves in the scene since their debut in December 2021. They have released hits that have inspired dance trends on social media. Their song “LOVE DIVE” won Song of the Year in prominent award shows in Korea including Melon Music Awards, MAMA Awards, and Golden Disc Awards.

During their press conference the day before, IVE stated that they were nervous and excited about performing here, hoping that Filipino DIVEs can cheer for them during their concert.

As if on cue, Filipino DIVEs were more than thrilled to welcome IVE. Before the concert, they organized a fan hub at the Activity Center of the newly built Gateway 2 Quantum Annex where a built-in overhead screen projected their idol’s music videos and life-sized photo standees were displayed for photo ops. Local fanbases also gave out freebies to their fellow fans. Of course, this was only the tip of the iceberg.

“After LIKE” was IVE’s welcoming hymn and immediately, roaring cheers and applause were heard all throughout the Big Dome. DIVEs were so into it, their energy and cheers were so intense, it only got stronger as the evening progressed. This was followed by “Take It”, “My Satisfaction” and “ROYAL”.

Indeed, as their fan concert title goes, the stage set-up was fit for The Prom Queens. There were LED screens so big, they filled the whole background of the stage. A posh school building, reminiscent of high-society dramas was projected before the show started. An extended T-stage was also a nice touch, giving the crowd a closer look at their performances.

IVE’s fan concert in Manila was also filled with moments of firsts. For one, Manila was IVE’s first stop for their Asia Tour. For another, it was the first time for them to showcase stages that they had not performed in their previous concerts. Filipino DIVEs were the first to see the live stages for “Kitsch” and “I AM”.

In between performances, there were games between the members. The girls grouped themselves into three pairs. Gaeul and Yujin called themselves Team Manila, Liz, and Rei were Team Couple, and Wonyoung and Leeseo chose to be Team Halo-Halo. They participated in multiple-choice questions and silhouette dance challenges. Each team did their best to answer the questions, flexing their suave dance moves to different popular K-pop songs.

The fan concert also showcased IVE’s unit stages. Wonyoung and Rei performed a fierce cover of Meghan Trainor’s “Me Too”. Yujin and Liz sang an enthralling duet of Jessie J’s “Flashlight”. Gaeul and Leeseo blazed with their cover performance of Blackpink’s “Kill This Love”.

DIVEs also prepared a special surprise video, showing the girls’ journey as a group thus far. The ladies of IVE were very grateful to the crowd for their warm reception and vowed to return soon. “Today’s performance was so hot! I don’t know if it’s because of the weather or because of DIVEs,” Yujin exclaimed. Wonyoung added that the surprise became memorable for them.

“Ever since we were in Korea, I waited for this day to come to PH. The atmosphere was off the roof so we all had a great time. Thank you very much for giving us your warm greetings in the video, our hearts were also warmed by this! We’ll make sure that we’ll come here more often.”

Rei was brought to tears when it was her turn to speak. “It has been so long since I performed in front of DIVEs so I was very nervous. I was really happy to see DIVEs in Manila who gave us so much positive energy and love.” The other girls comforted her as she spoke, “I’m very happy to get to start this Asia Tour with all six members together. Thank you so much for waiting for IVE! I hope until the end, we get to create precious memories together.”

IVE THE FIRST FAN CONCERT <The Prom Queens> in Manila Setlist
After Like
Take It
My Satisfaction
ROYAL
Kitsch
Me Too – Meghan Trainor cover – Wonyoung and Rei
Flashlight – Jessie J cover – Yujin and Liz
Kill this Love – BLACKPINK – Gaeul and Leeseo
Blue Blood
I AM
LOVE DIVE
ELEVEN
LOVE DIVE (Prom Band Remix)
AFTER LIKE (Prom Band Remix)
Not Your Girl

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IVE THE FIRST FAN CONCERT <The Prom Queens> in Manila was presented by DNM Entertainment and In2une Entertainment. Special thanks to DNM Entertainment!

Words by Sandra Mae Laureano; Photos by Sandra Mae Laureano and Richard Esguerra

“When I lived in [the] Philippines, my dream was to be a singer. I’m a singer now.”

This was Woodz’s statement during the press conference for his 2023 WOODZ WORLD TOUR ‘OO-LI’ IN MANILA. Born as Cho Seungyoun, the K-Pop star spent a year of middle school in the country back in 2011. After more than a decade, Seungyoun has returned, setting the New Frontier Theater ablaze with captivating all-around talent, magnetic stage presence, and production excellence.

“Busted” hit everyone in the face with the ferocity of a Superman punch. With such an intense opening, one could only brace oneself for what else was to come. He continued on the rock streak with “Hijack”, and then “Love Me Harder”.

The night’s setlist initially included 21 songs, but he honored requests for “Pool”, “Accident”, and “Deep Deep Sleep”, as well as second takes for “Drowning” and Parokya ni Edgar’s “Your Song”. “Hope to Be Like You” ended up replacing “Better and Better” on the setlist due to popular demand. Even during soundcheck, he was only supposed to sing three songs but ended up singing five more on the condition that there be no recordings.

The artist and the fans played along well. Woodz listened to Moodz. He even dedicated time to read placards and grant requests, such as birthday greetings and singing snippets of his songs. Fans felt particularly giddy when he borrowed a guitar and played the first line of Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud”.

Woodz himself had one request – to tear up the place. When he felt the audience could go harder, he would redo the song and make sure everyone was on their feet. He did it twice for “Trigger” and “Bump Bump”. Moodz didn’t take themselves too seriously, laughing it off when they couldn’t reach high notes or when they would miss their cue to stop singing, but rocking out whenever Woodz would ask for it was serious business.

Woodz is recognized as an all-rounder – he sings, dances, raps, and composes. He switches genres with ease, showing off his versatility with OO-LI’s diverse setlist that covers hip-hop, rock, R&B, pop, and dance. Beyond all these, he also possesses a great talent for making people around him feel comfortable. His easygoing chemistry with his band and his dancers made the performances a joy to watch.

He stood onstage with a mission to create great memories with Moodz. In the press conference, he shared that when people reflect on their experience, he wants them to “think of it as a healthy, happy, exciting memory, and [to] feel closer between artist and fans.” Without a doubt, it was mission accomplished. The venue sizzled with post-concert euphoria, and social media was filled with the kindest words towards Woodz, his team, the fandom organizers, and fellow fans.

There’s no telling when Woodz will make his way back to the country again, but he left a reminder for everyone to note until then – “Kalusugan, Kasiyahan, [at] Mahalin Mo ang Sarili Mo.”

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The 2023 WOODZ WORLD TOUR ‘OO-LI’ IN MANILA was presented by PULP Live World and Happee Hour. Special thanks to PULP Live World and Happee Hour for the invitation.

Words by Marijo Endriga