Category: Concert Reviews

Spring arrived in Manila on June 10 as PARK BOM held her first fan concert titled You and I at the New Frontier Theater.

A member of the ever-iconic K-pop girl group 2NE1, PARK BOM is known for her powerful vocals, killer fashion sense, and innate elegance. Her fanbase BOMSHELLs and 2NE1 fans BLACKJACKs showed up, clad in their best BOM-inspired outfits, matched with their fervent desire to see their idol.

2NE1’s “FIRE” blasted through the speakers, heralding PARK BOM’s entrance to the stage. She was welcomed with the loudest cheers and screams. This was followed by her soulful rendition of “Spring” to which the crowd heartily sang along to.

“You and I” was the title of her first solo single which was released in 2009 when she was a member of 2NE1. In 2023, the title just hits home as the fan concert centered around PARK BOM and her BOMSHELLs who have been with her from the start. The two-hour event also was an opportunity for fans to get to know BOM more and interact with her. During a short interview, she revealed bits of trivia about herself. When asked what song she listens to most these days, she answered “Die for You” by The Weeknd. She also stated that her biggest musical inspirations are Mariah Carey and Sandara Park.

Fierce dance battles were also held with the selected members of the crowd as participants. Like the queen that she is, PARK BOM sat on a gold-accented white Victorian chair as she watched them flex their best dance moves to the music of “FIRE”, “I Am the Best” and “I Don’t Care”, all 2NE1 hits. The winners got to have a photo with her onstage plus a printed Polaroid selfie as a take-home gift. In the middle of performances, she also went down the stage to interact with her fans.

When it was time for her to take a photo with the crowd, a surprise video made by her fans was projected on the screen. It showed clips from her time as a 2NE1 member up to the present as well as messages from fans. BOM couldn’t hold back her tears as she watched. She thanked everyone who came to her fan concert and said “Mahal ko kayo”.

PARK BOM You and I 1st Fan Concert in Manila Setlist
FIRE (Intro)
Spring
4:44
Don’t Cry
My Lover
Shameful
Someday
Do Re Mi Fa Sol
You and I
Lovely

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PARK BOM You & I 1st Fan Concert is presented by Nuewave Events and Productions. Special thanks to Neuwave Events and Productions.

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

Gliding to an engrossing run of classic fan favorites, Per Sorensen of Fra Lippo Lippi gifted fans with an unforgettable music experience.

Following front acts DECADES, a local band, and Steve Hovington from B-Movie, 10 stunning song numbers made Fra Lippo Lippi faithfuls reminisce about the good old times.

Per Sorensen also shares how one of the band’s iconic songs was brought to life in an unlikely situation. He concludes his two-night show organized by DMC Philippines on June 17 at Santa Rosa Sports Complex.

Sparing no effort, the hitmaker Norwegian pop act proved effortless prowess as one of the forerunners of New Wave music. Opening the stage, the Fra Lippo Lippi lead vocalist and keyboardist set the mood with “Come Summer”, “Distance Between Us” and “Shouldn’t Have To Be Like That”. His soothing voice envelops the venue with ample energy

Raising the music groove, he sang “Angel” and made the crowd sing it together with him.

Settling in front of his keyboard, Per Sorensen chronicles the interesting back story of a well-loved track released in 2022. He relays how he was working on a solo album in 2001. Mentioning how there are events we can remember precisely what we are doing at that moment, he shared that the 9/11 event is one for him.

“It was horrible as it was. I remember where I was when the two planes crashed. I had my youngest son sitting on my lap trying to write a song. My son was all over the place. Usually, there are 4 lines in verses, not 5 or 6, as I did in this track. After I finished it, I faxed it right away.”

The song made during the 9/11 is actually the poignantly beautiful “Later”. Best sang like a confession, Sorensen delighted the audience in attendance with his crisp tune. After that, he raises the ante with an energy-filled performance of “Some People”.

Showing off his belting skills, he conveyed how he like “Beauty and Madness” and crooned to it while the crowd admiringly savor the sweet melody.

Switching to a piercing number of “Light and Shade” – Sorensen enunciated each line of the uplifting track that speaks about motivation and grit to live life to the fullest. Capping off the night, Fra Lippo Lippi’s Sorensen poured out emotions and matched the energy of raving concertgoers in “Stitches and Burns”.

Still high on music, Sorensen seals an epic music night with an encore stage of “Everytime I See You” which literally turned the venue upside down.

Indeed, a celebration of timeless tracks, Fra Lippo Lippi gifted a mesmerizing music night to adoring Filipino fans who made the event more colorful through their active engagement.

POS and Blackjacks glammed up as MINZY, one of the most prominent figures of the second generation of K-Pop, and hailed the “Dance Queen of K-Pop” headlined her first solo tour, GLEE, at the New Frontier Theater last June 4, 2023.

Minzy showed off her charisma and talent and the Filipino fans did not disappoint in returning the energy as this concert is possibly one of the most glamorous ensembles of concert dress-up we’ve seen! Glittered, painted in gold, wigged and glammed, POS and Blackjacks were memorable as Minzy for the party they’ve all been waiting for.

Here’s what the Glee weekend rolled out for Minzy’s thunderous concert.

Lovely Minzy

Ahead of the concert, Minzy held a short press conference with the media and a couple of lucky fans who won the raffle to get up close and personal with the star.

Minzy had a subdued aura but shone brightly as she delighted the fans and media with her short and humble answers to the questions. She endearingly recalled her most memorable experience in the Philippines where she had a dance battle with Jollibee! She also mentioned that the Philippines feels like her second home at this point with the number of times she has visited. In coming back to the Philippines, she mentioned she is delighted to meet the Pinoy fans again after the pandemic and wants to strengthen her relationship with them, and with this, she gave a piece of advice to not have any regrets and just to have fun.

The star took a picture with the fans towards the end of the session, telling the fans that she was excited to meet them again the next day.

Fantabulous Night with the Dancing Queen

The concert was jam-packed with her known singles, covers, and 2NE1-coded hits that made all the fans jump and rave as a party should go.

She opened the set with a part of 2NE1’s song “CRUSH” and remixed it with her own “NINANO”, followed by “Fantabulous”. It wouldn’t be a Minzy show if there wasn’t a dance break so she went on and shook the stage with famous TikTok hits like “Savage” and other remixes of “All Of You Say” and On & On.

The 2NE1 tracks she sang that are known to pretty much every K-Pop fan are “‘I AM THE BEST”, “HAPPY” and “I Don’t Care (reggae version)”, which gave so much nostalgia for the 2nd generation of KPOP. You can see that these songs are already considered classics and will always be played and sung by everyone.

Minzy also covered “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran and showcased her deep, alto voice that we dare not underestimate. We know that Minzy is known for dancing but she’s always been noted as a great singer. She told the fans she sang this song because she thinks that all the POS and Blackjacks are perfect! This intimate moment of the night proved just that and everyone was not surprisingly mesmerized. She also covered a ballad version of “Me Gustas Tu”, originally in a duet with Taeil of Block B and originally sung by GFriend.

She also sang some of her songs like, “Teamo”, “Flashlight” which featured Jay Park in the record, “ING”, “Superwoman”, and “Beautiful Lie” mostly plucked from her debut solo album, MINZY WORK 01 UNO.

A remarkable performance was her song “LOVELY” where she sang the Tagalog version, a song the Filipino fans treasure. How many times does your Korean idol ever sing a Tagalog version of a song? It only goes to show that the Filo POS and Blackjacks are extra special to the heart of the artist.

As special as Minzy treats her Filipino fans, she also reciprocated with a video fan project that made the star emotional while watching. It showed a glimpse of Minzy’s journey throughout her career as a part 2NE1, her debut days, and as a soloist. Overwhelmed, Minzy told the crowd that the Philippines is truly her second home and told them “You guys are my family. I love you. Mahal ko kayo!”. With this, she sang the acoustic version of “Come Back Home” by 2NE1, a significant song for the group as it was the last title track for their last official full album.

She returned to the stage for an encore with “I AM THE BEST” and “GO AWAY”, both smashing hits from 2NE1, and closed the night by telling everyone that she is, “THRILLED to perform this show on stage in Manila! I’m happy that you Pinoy fans are having a gun with so much passion!”

The concert may only be just for one night, but it will be remembered by all Filipino POS and Blackjacks who have followed Minzy’s journey as a member of 2NE1 and now as a solo artist. Always welcome on our shores, the Filipino fans again did not fall short in showing their never-ending love and passion for their favorite artist, this time for our favorite dancing queen Minzy. It is undeniable that one of the most loyal fanbases right now is the POS and Blackjacks as they never failed to pump and lose control when they hear the 2NE1 beat and scream, “naega jeil jal naga!” until their lungs burst.

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MINZY 1st Asia Tour GLEE in Manila is presented by Neuwave Events & Production. Special thanks to Neuwave Events & Production.

Words and photos by Arielle Elep

OVERPASS 2023 brought together three of K-Pop’s best solo artists for an evening of music, endearing interactions, and priceless memories.

OVERPASS: K-Pop Music Concert delivers on its promise to bring together R&B, soul, and hip-hop artists on a single concert stage for a global music gathering that celebrates Asian excellence in music. In this year’s offering, spearheaded by CS Concerts and OctoArts Entertainment, OVERPASS 2023 highlighted K-Pop music with a concert heralded by top K-Pop acts of their generations — EXO’s Baekhyun, B.I, and Jeon Somi.

Before the three main acts took on the stage, P-Pop acts G22 and VXON paraded Filipino talent with their pre-show performances. The girl group, composed of AJ, Alfea, Bianca, and Jaz performed an empowering and jaw-dropping stage of their debut single, “BANG”. Meanwhile, C13, Sam, Patrick, Vince, and Franz took over The Big Dome to showcase performances of their songs “The Beast” and “Breaking Bad”.

With the P-Pop acts upping the energy at the venue, the crowd was more than ready to welcome their favorite K-Pop acts to the Philippine concert stage. Denise Laurel, the evening’s host, cued the start of the concert, welcoming everyone to OVERPASS 2023 and earning loud cheers filled with excitement and nervous anticipation.

South Korean rapper, and singer-songwriter, B.I, performed his popular song “BTBT” to formally kick off the K-Pop music extravaganza. Following his solo concert in March, the rapper made his second trip to the nation this year, and he performed no less than phenomenal and fiery renditions of 18 of his songs. B.I certainly won the audience with an almost hour-long set that included performances of his hits, “BTBT”, “One and Only”, “Waterfall”, “TTM”, “Illusion”, “Got It Like That”, “Illa Illa”, “Middle with You”, and “Endless Summer”.

Manila had the good fortune to see live renditions of songs from his most recent album, To Die For, which was released on June 1 of this year. Among the songs performed during the concert were “Michelangelo,” “Flame,” “Lover,” “Dare to Love,” “Die for You,” “The Island of Misfits Toys,” “Wave,” and “Beautiful Life” from the album To Die For. The rapper also took to the Philippine concert stage to embark on Tiktok’s “Dare to Love” challenge. He said that he was always astonished by audiences and that Filipinos are unquestionably talented dancers.

B.I finished his act with the fan favorite “Cosmos.”

Jeon Somi took to The Big Dome stage after B.I, opening her set with “XOXO” and “What You Waiting For” off her debut studio album, XOXO. OVERPASS 2023 was the singer’s first live appearance in the Philippines since her debut. She did, however, mention that the event on June 11 was not her first trip to the nation. She even claims that the Philippines may have been the first place she ever went because her mother visited the Pearl of the Orient Seas while she was pregnant.

In addition to her flawless stage presence and captivating performances, Jeon Somi impressed everyone with her endearing attempt to learn Filipino language. She even brought a cheat sheet. With her adorable “hay naku,” “Mabuhay,” “salamat po,” and “charot,” she made everyone smile. She also admitted to loving mangoes and candy, Potchi.

She then performed “Anymore,” “Birthday,” and “Dumb Dumb” to finish her set.

As the lights started to dim, amidst much anticipation, the final artist of the evening’s show would begin, and the audience cheered louder and louder. EXO’s Baekhyun returned to the Philippine concert stage after four years, meeting EXO-L at The Big Dome. When the artist opened his act with “UN Village,” the crowd’s emotions were at an all-time high. He then greeted everyone with a big smile as a sea of Eribong hailed his return. With his pinky finger raised, Baekhyun also guaranteed that OVERPASS 2023 will not be the last time the Philippine EXO-L sees him on the local stage, assuring everyone that he will return.

The EXO member proceeded on his performance after “UN Village” with “Betcha,” “Candy,” and “Love Again.” Baekhyun also performed “Bambi” in the Philippines for the first time. The end of his performance was sealed by an affirmation of his commitment to return — with a pinky finger up.

EXO’s Baekhyun, B.I, and Jeon Somi were all present on one concert platform at OVERPASS 2023, resulting in a performance that celebrated music and produced treasured memories. It witnessed the reunion of Baekhyun and EXO-L as well as B.I and IDs. It was there that Jeon Somi first met her Philippine Sommungchis. Additionally, it witnessed the combined efforts of three fandoms, who greeted each performer with fervent applause and unrelenting enthusiasm.

Philippine ReVeluvs gloriously illuminated Red Velvet with their ardor and love in the girl group’s first Philippine concert!

On May 7, there was an unmatched level of enthusiasm inside the SM Mall of Asia Arena. The reason why, however, is clear because that evening’s celebration was a first for Red Velvet, the Philippine ReVeluv, and the Philippine concert scene. The path leading up to this moment had been long, but everything from that evening made it worthwhile.

Red Velvet performed a solo concert on May 7 for the first time ever on a Philippine concert stage. The South Korean girl group, made up of Irene, Seulgi, Wendy, Joy, and Yeri, hasn’t performed a solo concert in the country since their debut despite doing a few performances here. Since it was revealed that the Philippines would be included in the Red Velvet 4th Concert R TO V, there has been a palpable sense of excitement that the long-awaited dream has finally come true. But the reality was not as dreamlike as it seemed, as SM Entertainment revealed days before the event that Joy would be missing the concert due to health reasons.

In spite of this, Red Velvet and Philippine ReVeluv nonetheless put on an exceptional concert. R TO V in Manila proceeded to fill our days and give us a bad case of post-concert depression with stunning stage production, elite vocals and dance, reverberating energy, remarkable fan projects, and more.

The Philippines greeted Irene, Seulgi, Wendy, and Yeri with a full house. Tickets to the show were sold out on the first day of sales. Before the lights went out, the arena was filled with jubilant cheers and chats, and every sound coming from the speakers created elation that caused lightsticks to be raised in the air.

A breathtaking and wonderful opening number started as the lights went down. Then, the ever-dazzling girls of Red Velvet appeared on stage in pink ballerina outfits and sang “Feel My Rhythm,” “BAMBOLEO,” and “LP” in front of lovely and colorful backdrops. These performances were accentuated by the exquisite moves they made with their dancers.

The members continued by extending their signature greetings to their Filipino fans. It was indeed happiness, and the reality of the event finally settling in. Everyone was ready to partake in order to build memories for one another — including a trip down memory lane with “Ice Cream Cake” and “Oh Boy.” The girls approached the audience through the extended stage wearing outfits that represented their individual colors, giving out generous waves and smiles to fans on all levels of the arena. They performed “On A Ride” and “Eyes Locked, Hands Locked” and it was touching to watch how they tried to connect with and include everyone.

The affection was reciprocated, too, as Philippine ReVeluvs launched a number of fan projects to provide the members with lasting memories to cherish. Along with their unwavering enthusiasm, ReVeluvs made enormous banners that said “I will always be by your side,” “I want to be forever, in this dream-like night,” and “Enchanting feeling, I’ll never forget everything.”

They performed “Queendom,” “Bing Bing,” their most recent hit, “Birthday,” and the song that has been the soundtrack to every summer since 2017: “Red Flavor” during the third set of performances, which was marked by a change in the outfits to red and denim. The girls reappeared after a brief intermission dressed in all-black ensembles for the fourth set of performances, which comprised “Pose,” “Beg For Me,” and “ZOOM.”

Though Joy was not present at the concert, her presence was felt through screen appearances throughout her parts in the songs, which drew applause from the audience. During “Bing Bing,” ReVeluvs also showed their love for Joy by lighting the arena in her color, green.

The members recognized the many fan efforts during the concert. The sight of the enormous banners, according to Seulgi, brought tears to her eyes. The members were also moved to learn that the green ocean was dedicated to Joy; Seulgi expressed her goosebumps, Irene praised the fans’ sweet gesture, Yeri expressed her gratitude, and Wendy gave a thumbs up. Along with the crowd, they joined the “Park Sooyoung” cheer and promised to tell Joy about it. Irene expressed how grateful she is for the concert-related gifts that the fans have made for them. She expressed how moved she was by the actions.

Red Velvet continued their set with outstanding renditions of “BYE BYE”, “In & Out”, “I Just”, and “Peek-A-Boo”. The applause became louder as Irene, Seulgi, Wendy, and Yeri proceeded to “Bad Boy,” undoubtedly one of the most eagerly anticipated performances of the evening. They began “Bad Boy” with their own distinctive dances, which raised the anticipation even more. Without giving ReVeluvs time to recover from the previous stage, the girls performed another crowd favorite, “Psycho.”

Philippine ReVeluvs seized over the arena with an exchange of cheers between the left (Re-deu) and right (Velvet) sides of the crowd as Red Velvet gets ready for the encore stage. The cheers were never-ending, with no signs of exhaustion. Even the girl group was taken aback by the crowd’s boundless enthusiasm, even after the show had been going on for hours. And in a typical Philippine concert crowd fashion, the cheers, which Irene claims are louder than the World Cup, grew stronger during the encore stages, which began with “Celebrate.”

Irene, Seulgi, Wendy, and Yeri all expressed their appreciation for the vigor, claps, and events the fans planned for them throughout the concert. Wendy remarked, “You guys are amazing, seriously. Thank you very much for all the love and support you guys showed us today, and she’s not here with us today, but even for Joy.” She added, “Because of all the energy and the love you sent us today, I really want to come back as soon as we can, with the five of us, including Joy.”

Seulgi expressed gratitude for the support the fans had given them throughout their visit to the nation, including the various fan projects carried out outside the venue. “I really saw how much you love us. I was very happy. We will go home with a lot of good memories of you,” she remarked.

Irene praised ReVeluv’s unrelenting enthusiasm and shared Seulgi’s sentiments, saying she is glad to have Philippine ReVeluvs with them. “I think more than anywhere else, your energy is the strongest,” Irene continued. Yeri expressed appreciation and vowed to return to the Philippines, saying “We have to really, really see you soon guys.”

Aside from the massive banners and the green ocean, Philippine ReVeluv came up with individual banners with the statement, “This feeling we want to last forever, this night is like a dream,” as well as the color ocean project.

But the night was far from over, as Red Velvet performed “My Dear” and “Russian Roulette” on the encore stages, which got the crowd pumped. Wendy said, “Your cheering and your voices are amazing,” adding that wherever they went, they can still hear Philippine ReVeluv’s voices. She continued, “I feel like I can hear your voice tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, and even for like a week. I think I will remember your voices.”

The crowd then started to dance and sing along to Red Velvet as “Zimzalabim” started to play, which caused the arena to shake even more. It was a sight to behold, a wonderful concert moment that set hearts racing and left Red Velvet and Philippine ReVeluvs with heartwarming feelings and lasting memories.

The girl group closed the concert with “You Better Know” and a sincere bow to everyone for an incredible show.

Days may have passed, but the extraordinary emotions from the Red Velvet 4th Concert R TO V in Manila remain. Even though the concert has been over for several days, the enthusiasm from that evening has lingered. With real vocals, real visuals, and real versatility, Red Velvet delivered on their promises, supported by a spectacular stage production and enlivened by the excitement and affection of their Philippine ReVeluvs.

It had been quite the journey to get here, but everything about that night made it meaningful. It was a feeling that will undoubtedly endure forever. Although the night may have seemed like a dream, it was a wonderful reality that will be cherished eternally.

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The Red Velvet 4th Concert R TO V in Manila was presented by PULP Live World and Happee Hour. Special thanks to PULP Live World for the invitation to the event.

It’s been a long, long time coming but pH-1 was here and finally made it to our shores to bring the hip-hop scene this country needs!

pH-1 or fondly known to fans as Harry, held his Philippine concert for the Asian leg of ABOUT DAMN TIME World Tour. Presented by Karpos Live, the Korean-American rapper debuted on the Manila stage in the Filinvest Tent, Alabang last May 3, 2023, tagging along DJ Spray to light up and hype up the stage for the tour.

Fans gathered up for their favorite homebody, even holding fan support in the venue and dressed to impress for one of the hottest k-hip hop artists in the scene. Hump day couldn’t stop the passionate support the fans have because they know what they’re going to miss if they wouldn’t go.

For those who missed it, we got you as here’s a rundown of what went down in the ABOUT DAMN TIME concert.

BUT FOR NOW, LEAVE US ALONE

Catching everyone’s attention, DJ Spray landed on stage first to set up a little bit before the man of the hour hopped on. Right on the 8 o’clock dot, pH-1 started his set list with “MEET N GREET”, originally sung with Kid Milli to hype up the crowd, immediately letting the Manila fans know what they were in for the night.

“What’s up Manila, your energy is crazy!” the rapper said before teaching the crowd his known chant for the tour. “When I say, ‘I’M HERE’ you say ‘ABOUT DAMN TIME’, you ready?” And of course, the crowd is always ready, cheering as “MALIBU” from pH-1’s debut full album HALO was played.

“I’ve been to other countries and they might be more in numbers but your energy is higher, Manila!” Another win for our country! Not Manila doing it like nobody else?! Filipinos never beat the “Filipinos are one of the best concert crowds in the world” allegations.

With this, he continued his set list with “PACKITUP!” from the EP “X” and “ZOMBIES”, “TIPSY” and “YUPPIE TING” that featured Blase, all plucked from his latest released album, BUT FOR NOW LEAVE ME ALONE.

One notable and funny encounter was during “TIPSY”, when someone from the crowd threw a blue undergarment on stage, which Harry held until the song ended. “Blue is now my favorite color!” the rapper joked as he was flattered and amused by the gesture. Someone must have been tipsy in the crowd to do that bold move! Fans who know pH-1 know that his favorite color was orange, (noted that some fans wore orange to emphasize that) but I guess it takes that move for your favorite hip-hop artist to change his mind!

“The energy in here is unbelievable.” the talented artist said. “I’ve been around the world for the past three, four months. I’ve been away from home but I’m very happy to be visiting these countries that I never get to visit, including Manila!” The artist mentioned that he found it enjoyable to try the local cuisine and get to explore each city he plays but he also mentioned he misses his dog, Holly, his comfortable couch, and home.

Smoothly transitioning to “Homebody”, one of ph-1’s most listened songs on Spotify, the rapper slowed the night a bit with the crowd singing parts of the song with him. Harry served nothing but his raw talent through the songs, singing back to back to back with “MR. BAD”, with the crowd who literally just know exactly what to chant and sing, ” Cupid “, and “JULIETTE!”

After these sweet energetic songs, Harry decided to really slow things down and sang “DVD”, literally sitting down in front of the crowd with a stool, signaling a more intimate part of the evening with the fans. Twinning with their idol, the fans conducted a well-thought-out fan project by giving pH-1 an orange ocean while “DVD” is performed, with background visuals showing an accented orange hue-colored living room set up. Everyone liked ph-1 more with “Like Me” and “Nerdy Love”, highlighting a softer version of Harry’s discography.

After this, he chatted with the fans and shared how jealous he was of the Filipino schoolmates he used to have when he was younger because they are all talented, from singing to dancing. (We won again!) The crowd teased him and asked him to give them a “sample” of dancing and he teased the fans a little with a small dance move.

A lot of back and forth and fanservice happened in between the concert similar to this. Like how Harry just desperately wanted to take a picture with the crowd but the camera stopped working all of a sudden. (“This has never happened before, so you guys are special!” he said.) Or how he took a Polaroid camera from a fan and took a crowd picture with and finally and successfully took a picture with the crowd for memory keeping.

Getting more songs from the EP “X”, pH-1 performed “OKAY”, recorded with Simon Dominic and MUSHVENOM, “MORAGO” with Blase and Coogie, and “TELEFONO” with HAON, Woodie Godchild, Jay Park, and Sik-K respectively. And it wouldn’t be a wild hip-hop show if there wasn’t water spraying on the crowd, so before that fun part started, the artist asked consent first before spraying water onto the fans. We love a king who recognizes consent!

Following this setlist is probably the more exciting and jump-inciting part of the evening as pH-1 did not stop performing powerful hits after hits, from “Olaf” to “Achoo” and “Orange” (the two latter songs are from Show Me the Money where he competed) and the ever powerful “THE PURGE”, one of the songs that were released from the album RED TAPE from H1GHER music, that featured artists that are undoubtedly the biggest forces in K-Hip Hop.

He also played more with the crowd with “Good Day” again from Show Me the Money, “VVS” recorded originally with BIG Naughty, TRADE L, Woodie Gochild, and Jay Park, and “iffy”, again with the familiar crowd pH-1 is used to collaborate, Sik-k, Jay Park and Groovy Room before teasing the crowd and leaving the stage before a short encore.

Encore: HALO, Goodbye, pH-1

“Every good day starts with a good yawn,” the lyrics of the song “OSCAR” said, a song about depending on the singer and about being there for the person they dedicate it to seems like a good way to say goodbye to the Manila fans as Harry surely takes inspiration and pays attention to the efforts of his supporters.

To prove this, he acknowledged a fan who specifically designed a clothing piece for Harry’s ABOUT DAMN TIME tour.

On her Instagram was a lengthy caption with a story on how the garment reached pH-1, and a heartfelt message to the artist, thanking him for keeping her inspired. GG, a fashion designer based in the Philippines and Korea designed a multi-wear tech + street outfit that would surely fit well with Harry himself. It was unfortunate that the artist cannot wear the outfit but the shoutout itself is something the designer fan truly appreciates and calls it a “core memory.”

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A post shared by gg™ | gian gonzalez (@giauhn)

pH-1 took his final bow, with DJ Spray taking the leave as well and giving a thumbs up to the crowd, closing the night with approval that we really are the best crowd there is, no matter how big or small the crowd is, no matter what genre.

Harry sealed the night with a piece of advice and addressed everyone in the room in association with the shout-out to the designer.

“Just remember that you are always so talented — You’re gifted with great talents, so all you need is just good energy, good motivation, and inspiration to do it. Keep it up.”

pH-1

Writer’s note: Bro, I’m taking this advice.

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The pH-1 World Tour ABOUT DAMN TIME in Manila was presented by Karpos Multimedia, Karpos Live, KOHAI, and H1GHR Music Records. Special thanks to Karpos Multimedia for the invitation.

Words and Photos by Arielle Elep

A solid band, a solid setlist, and a solid crowd. The 1975 At Their Very Best in Manila was truly what its name was — the very best.

The 1975 has made several appearances in the Philippine concert scene since they made their debut in a series of mall performances in 2014. The band, which consists of Matty Healy on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Adam Hann on lead guitar, Ross MacDonald on bass, and George Daniel on drums, will then return to the nation to perform their first arena show in 2015, headline an indoor music festival in 2016, and play a second arena show in 2019.

The band has developed a close bond with concertgoers in the Philippines for almost ten years, and each time, that bond has grown and deepened. Matty expressed his gratitude for Manila’s outstanding support over the years. The thing is with Manila, you guys kind of have dibs on The 1975 cause you were the first ones to like us. We were bigger in Manila before we were bigger in the UK,” he said. And it was very clear during their recently ended back-to-back performances on May 3 and 4 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

A sold-out MOA Arena welcomed the band on May 3 as they kicked off the first of two nights of The 1975 At Their Very Best in Manila concerts. The band’s current tour, which began in North America in November 2022 and then traveled to Europe, Latin America, Asia, and Oceania, included a stop in the Philippines. Manila was the final stop on the fourth leg of the tour, which will take them back to Europe, Asia, and North America from June to September.

Wallice, an American singer-songwriter, opened for The 1975, delivering songs such as “90s American Superstar,” “Listen Here,” “Hey Michael,” “Punching Bag,” “John Wayne,” her most recent tune “Best Friend,” her personal favorite “Funeral,” and “23.” The musician thanked the group for letting her join them on tour in a heartfelt statement. “It’s been a dream come true,” she remarked, “Thank you, The 1975!”

Manila you were amazing ❤️

— Wallice (@wallice) May 5, 2023

Minutes later, A Theatrical Performance of an Intimate Moment commenced with Matty, Adam, Ross, and George, appearing on screen while riding animal toys — the most unserious entrance we witnessed and an entrance we won’t have any other way.

The stage setup was straightforward. The camera work was stunning, dramatic, and entrancing. The setlist was a beautiful surprise.

The band opened the May 3 show with “Looking for Somebody (to Love)” and “Happiness” off their 2022 studio album Being Funny in a Foreign Language. Then they played “Ugh!” from 2015, which was followed by “Oh Caroline” from Being Funny in a Foreign Language. Moving forward, the band performed “Me & You Together Song” and “If You’re Too Shy (Let Me Know)” from the Notes on a Conditional Form album. And Manila was all for it, demonstrating once more the astounding enthusiasm of the Philippine concertgoers as they euphorically greet every beat and sing along to every word at the top of their lungs. The song “I’m In Love With You” from the album Being Funny in a Foreign Language was also performed live in Manila.

Matty paused to officially welcome the crowd to The 1975. “We are! Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to The 1975! Thank you so much for coming. We are very happy to be here,” he said, pointing out that coming to Manila is always a great experience. “We are kinda ten times bigger than we should be.”

The 1975 performed “fallingforyou” from their 2013 extended play IV, paying tribute to the band’s almost decade-long relationship with the Philippines. And the bliss persisted with back-to-back “About You,” the synth-goodness of “An Encounter,” “Robbers,” and “Somebody Else.” They also played “Pressure” and “It’s Not Living (If It’s Not With You)”. Matty briefly sampled “Man in the Mirror” by Michael Jackson before switching to “Paris,” “Me,” and “Love It If We Made It.”

The audience’s voices reverberated loudly and clearly as they sang along to The 1975’s “I Always Wanna Die (Sometimes)” in exquisite harmony. After an emotive performance of “I Always Wanna Die (Sometimes),” “The Sound,” “Sex,” and the evening’s closing song, “Give Yourself A Try,” brought back the party vibe. Everyone allowed themselves to become lost in the moment, be on their feet, and raise their voices to every word, causing the arena to shake with the intensity of the jumping and the echoing of everyone’s voices. These are the moments. This is the memory—an encounter we will choose to have every time.

The 1975 At Their Very Best in Manila was everything its name suggests — the very best. It was euphoric. It was Happiness.

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THE 1975 AT THEIR VERY BEST IN MANILA was presented by PULP Live World. Special thanks to PULP Live World for the invitation.

The article contains events that transpired on Day 1 of the two-day concert of the band in the country.

The comeback of NCT DREAM created magnificent and lasting memories for the boy group and NCTzens who flooded the SM Mall of Asia Arena with an infectious love and passion that is comforting and beautiful.

Mark, Renjun, Jaemin, Jeno, Haechan, and Jisung took over the Philippine concert stage with their first concert tour since the pandemic, the NCT DREAM TOUR ‘THE DREAM SHOW2: IN A DREAM’, performing in over 20 cities around Asia, North America, and Europe. The sold-out Philippine stop at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on April 29 and 30 marked the start of leg four of the concert tour, which saw them return to Asia after a successful North American leg. Due to health issues, Chenle had to skip the stops in Manila and Singapore.

A passionate full audience saw THE DREAM SHOW2: IN A DREAM in Manila which crafted a concert of outstanding performances, astonishing stage design and production, and endearing fan interactions.

NCT DREAM kicked off the concert with a captivating opening in which the members surfaced sequentially on the main stage and in an aquarium-like enclosure on the extended stage. Over the course of the performances, the boy group made the most of the setting and the entire stage design. The lighting was another feat to behold, adding impacts to an already spectacular start. The excitement increased twofold when “Glitch Mode” played. The concert that has been dreamed of for so long has finally become a reality.

The Philippine concert scene was no stranger to NCT DREAM. Renjun, Jaemin, Jeno, Chenle, and Jisung made their first appearance in Manila in 2019 when they headlined the 2019 K-Pop Friendship Concert in Manila. Before borders closed and live performances and concerts came to a complete halt, the boy group, sans Mark, was the last K-Pop group to give a concert in the country in 2020. When the borders opened and concerts resumed in 2022, Renjun, Jaemin, Jeno, Chenle, and Jisung were among the first K-Pop acts to perform in the country, in a joint concert with Alice, WEi, and SHINee’s Key. In October of the same year, NCT DREAM, without Mark and Haechan, came back for another joint concert with Alice, Xdinary Heroes, Golden Child, and fellow NCT sub-unit, WayV.

Last year, Mark and Haechan performed on the Philippine concert stage with NCT 127. It marked NCT 127’s first solo performance in the nation and their second visit; they had previously visited the nation in 2018 for a collaborative concert.

THE DREAM SHOW2: IN A DREAM in Manila was even more memorable because it was their first concert with Mark in the Philippines. Although there is no denying NCT DREAM’s incredible growth over the past seven years, it is worth noting that the boy group’s first solo concert was held at the New Frontier Theater, which has a capacity of 2,385. Even then, it was a tremendous achievement because all tickets were sold.

NCT DREAM confirmed their standing as one of the leading boy groups of this generation again this year, when they returned with another solo concert. All tickets for the two-day concert were sold out on the first day of sales, and NCT DREAM was greeted by almost 30,000 NCTzens at the MOA Arena on April 29 and 30. Haechan stated at the press conference for THE DREAM SHOW2: IN A DREAM in Manila on April 30 that their return to the Philippine concert stage this time offered a bigger production and afforded them more space to explore and present their creative sides than their 2020 concert.

Every stage during the concert featured greater creativity and production values. After an elaborate and jaw-dropping start with “Glitch Mode,” the boys immediately followed it up with “Countdown (3, 2, 1)” and “Stronger.” Then, they officially welcomed NCTzens to THE DREAM SHOW2: IN A DREAM in Manila with their signature greeting and personalized messages that included the Filipino phrases “magandang gabi” and “mahal ko kayo“—words they kindly relayed to their fans throughout the concert as they were continually showered with the loudest cheers. And the boy group truly appreciated the warm and enthusiastic welcome they received from the audience. The phrase “mahal ko kayo” stood out in Renjun’s memory among the Filipino terms because he adores his Filipino supporters, he said during the press conference.

Then they performed “Dreaming” and “Déjà Vu” on the subsequent stage. NCT DREAM’s performance of “My First and Last” brought everyone back to The First. And with songs like “Bye My First,” “Love Again,” and “To My First, the romantic feelings still ruled the stage, reminding everyone of the sweetness and bitterness of first love. Mark, Renjun, Jaemin, Jeno, Haechan, and Jisung enlivened the stages with their endearing interactions, entertaining dances, and impromptu remarks, such as Mark and Renjun’s exchange of “Mark, tell me what is love” and “Love is Manila,” and Jisung’s “I love you.”

A heartfelt performance of “Sorry, Heart” by Haechan and Renjun once more brought warmth to the arena. But when Chenle appeared on the screens to sing his parts in the song and form a lovely harmony with Haechan and Renjun, emotions undoubtedly overcame everyone. Throughout the performance, the members gave Chenle heartfelt shoutouts and gave fans assurances that they would make sure to realize 7DREAM’s Manila dream in the future. During the press conference, the members reaffirmed this commitment. Jaemin expressed regret that they were once more lacking a member in their Manila performance, recalling how Mark was absent from their first solo concert and how Chenle was absent from this one. Nevertheless, Nana interpreted this as motivation for the entire group—all seven—to head back to the country.

NCT DREAM TOUR ‘THE DREAM SHOW2: IN A DREAM’ is the first concert tour of the NCT sub-unit to include all seven members. Jeno stated during the press conference that they were delighted to travel and tour together. Like Jaemin, he expressed a desire to go back to the country and have another performance in which they will all participate. “However, it’s a pity that for the Manila stop, Chenle is unable to join us. But that gives us another reason to come back to the Philippines with all seven members,” he said.

Mark, Renjun, Jaemin, Jeno, Haechan, and Jisung then returned on stage coming closer to fans through the extended stage in a medley of “Puzzle Piece”, “Chewing Gum”, “ANL”, “Dive Into You”, and “Irreplaceable”.

The hard-hitting “Saturday Drip” by Mark, Jeno, Jaemin, and Jisung pumped up the crowd next. Quietude was no longer an option when Renjun and Haechan entered the aquarium-like enclosures and joined Mark, Jeno, Jaemin, and Jisung on stage for “Quiet Down”. It became a party with “Better than Gold” which preceded the parade of performances of “Diggity,” “Ridin’,” and “BOOM”. “Trigger the Fever”, the song recorded by the boy group for the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup and later added as a bonus track in the We Young EP, got everyone on their feet to jump and dance along. During the press conference, Renjun also cited the song’s upbeat and uplifting energy as a reason to listen. The energy was amazing, constant, and still going strong as “Hot Sauce”.

Loud cheers for Chenle resounded across the arena as people seized the break as an opportunity to express their support for him. NCTzens also used the occasion to wish Jeno, who became one year older on April 23, a happy birthday in the form of the phrases “Birthday na ni Jeno” and “Happy birthday, Jeno.” The crowd agreed to take on the task of building a stunning wave for NCT DREAM, practicing it with eagerness before the boys’ return.

Mark then appeared on stage while beatboxing, readying the audience for the commencement of the encore. The boys had wide grins on their faces while NCTzens enthusiastically sang along to “Beatbox.” And when Renjun’s “지금처럼 서로의 음을 맞춰/ 우리가 함께 만들 음악/ Everywhere I go, bring the beatbox” and Haechan’s “꿈꿔왔던 순간이 여기 있어/ We won’t stop for a moment, oh/ Everywhere I go, bring the beatbox” came on, the boys grinned proudly and with approval as the crowd sang along at the top of their voices.

The overwhelming love and support they received from the audience, along with how much fun the concert was, left Mark, Renjun, Jaemin, Jeno, Haechan, and Jisung feeling extremely grateful. “Salamat po,” remarked Renjun. “Sobrang saya namin ngayong gabi.”

They also took notice of the large banner project that read, “7DREAM FOREVER”. (The second day of the concert featured another banner that read “CZENNIES + 7DREAM = BEST FRIEND EVER”). On the first day of the concert, individual banners with the inscriptions “7DREAM is placed in my heart like a bookmark” and “Let’s meet again in the next dream, just like when it was 8:25” were also hoisted by the fans.

The members pledged to go back to Manila and fulfill the dream of 7DREAM. “It’s a shame Chenle wasn’t with us. But I promise you, Chenle will be with us the next time. We will be complete. Stay healthy till the next time we meet. Get home safely. Take some good rest. And this is the most important, don’t skip a meal. Manila, I love you so much,” Jaemin said.

Mark echoed the promises of his members, “Just like what all the other guys said, the next time we come here we will be with Chenle. We will complete the 7DREAM here. The next time we meet maybe we can stay even for a longer time. Thank you so much for today.”

NCTzens sent Jeno yet another song for his birthday. He thanked everyone for remembering his special day with a wide smile. The crowd then demonstrated the wave they had been practicing, getting admiring nods and applause from the boys for being unique in form. Mark thought of the wave as a remarkable concert memory during the press conference. “The wave from the first day left quite an impression. It kinda stayed on my mind for some reason,” he shared.

“Manila, I love you. We had great fun tonight. Did you guys enjoy it? We will come back too, so let us all stay healthy and well.”
– Haechan
“First of all, I want to say thank you because you did so well until the end. It’s been a while since I was in the Philippines. I am so happy. Kita tayo muli bukas? Thank you, everyone. See you tomorrow!”
– Jisung
“Manila, did you guys have fun today? First of all, thank you for coming, and thank you for enjoying the show tonight. I got a lot of energy from you guys tonight. Actually, we really want to come back to Manila. It’s a shame Chenle wasn’t with us. But I promise you, Chenle will be with us the next time. We will be complete. Stay healthy till the next time we meet. Get home safely. Take some good rest. And this is the most important, don’t skip a meal. Manila, I love you so much.”
– Jaemin
“Manila, did you have fun tonight? Thank you so much, Manila. Even if my birthday has passed, thank you for remembering it. When we had a rehearsal, I thought it was cold here. But because of your energy, it became hot! Thank you for enjoying with us and giving us your energy. Like what is written in front, 7DREAM forever. We promise Chenle will be with us next time. Manila, I love you!”
– Jeno
“Sobrang saya namin ngayong gabi. Salamat po. I am happy to come back to Manila. I really missed you. Thank you for creating beautiful memories with me tonight. I hope that we will always be together. Thank you very much. Let’s be together forever.”
– Renjun
“What I really like about Manila is that whenever we get to perform here, we get to see you guys very very closely. You guys were enjoying us being here so much. We connect a lot. Did you feel our connection today, Manila? Thank you so much to each and everyone who came tonight. Just like what all the other guys said, the next time we come here we will be with Chenle. We will complete the 7DREAM here. The next time we meet maybe we can stay even for a longer time. Thank you so much for today.”
– Mark

NCT DREAM during the first day of THE DREAM SHOW2: In A Dream in Manila

The encore performances concluded with NCT DREAM’s “My Youth” and “Walk You Home.” But the show wasn’t over yet; they later returned for the lively, energizing “Candy” stage. NCT DREAM and NCTzens gave it their all to create a memorable final act that served as a fitting end to a beautiful memory. With a final bow and individual sentiments of thank you, I love you, a cartwheel from Renjun, a reminder from Jaemin not to skip meals, and promises to see each other again as 7DREAM, the members exited the stage one by one.

The NCT DREAM TOUR ‘THE DREAM SHOW2: IN A DREAM’ showcased the group’s unrelenting growth, driving them to greater heights and the fulfillment of greater aspirations. Seeing Mark, Renjun, Jaemin, Jeno, Haechan, Chenle, and Jisung conquer bigger stages, win deserving accolades, and break record after record gave rise to strong feelings of joy and pride. In seven years, the sub-unit demonstrated an amazing and successful career.

The boy group has received countless accolades, and they have developed a loyal fan base over the years, yet they still maintain their humility. Mark thought the term “success” was quite ambiguous and subject to many different interpretations. He remarked, “I think we can all be successful if we just put our minds to it. We can all be currently successful in a way.” And for NCT DREAM, Mark characterized their achievement in terms of the joy they bring to their supporters. “For NCT DREAM, from the beginning of our debut, we always want to spread happiness to people who listen to our music and see our stages. In that sense, I feel like, in a way, we did succeed and are succeeding. It is our job to continue on that and to spread happiness as much as we can in the future.”

NCT DREAM TOUR ‘THE DREAM SHOW2: IN A DREAM’ also reflected the fervor and affection of NCTzens by flaring up with incredible energy. Mark said, “I know you will be amazing!” and the audience did not disappoint. Thanks to the unwavering passion and energy of the fans, who were always prepared to give it their all, the concert was even more breathtaking and beautiful.

Even though 7DREAM’s dream did not come true that weekend, NCT DREAM and NCTzens both share the desire to fulfill the shared dream. Considering the promises made by Mark, Renjun, Jaemin, Jeno, Haechan, Chenle (who greeted the fans alongside the other members through Instagram Live), and Jisung, it is clear that the dream will become a reality because 7DREAM is forever, and as Mark promised, “We will complete the 7DREAM here.” Let’s meet again in the next dream, just like when it was on April 29 and 30.

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The NCT DREAM TOUR ‘THE DREAM SHOW2: IN A DREAM’ in Manila was presented by PULP Live World and Happee Hour. Special thanks to PULP Live World and Happee Hour for the invitation to the concert and the press conference.

The article contains events that transpired during the first day of the concert and during the press conference.

Three top K-Pop acts in one show: K-Verse delivered a concert that saw Taeyeon, The Boyz, and aespa take the stage in one night.

With an aim to promote the spirit of togetherness in support of each fandom while maintaining each other’s identity as a fan and with a promise to create a space where fans are the number one priority in knowing who they want to see and what they’d like to experience, K-Verse: The Ultimate Pop Universe brought together Girls’ Generation’s Taeyeon, The Boyz, and aespa for a one-night-only concert at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on April 11, 2023.

Presented by MakeitLive, Content Sandbox, FangirlAsia, A Planet Entertainment, and Sinchunoung, the concert marked a special event for each fandom with it being aespa’s first event in the Philippines, and Taeyeon and The Boyz’s comeback event in almost five years. Regardless of their fandom, Filipino SONEs, TheBs, and MYs welcomed all artists with resounding cheers and support.

Next Level Stages with aespa

aespa opened K-Verse with their debut digital single, “Black Mamba,” which was first released in 2020 and later included as one of the tracks of their 2022 second extended play, Girls. The crowd was clearly thrilled to welcome Karina, Giselle, Winter, and Ningning to the Philippine concert stage as they cheered loudly. Following “Black Mamba,” the girl group performed “Illusion,” a pre-release track from Girls.

As the girls made their formal introductions, the audience erupted in enthusiastic cheers. They also kindly responded to inquiries regarding their time spent in the Philippines. They continued with performances of “Life’s Too Short”, their first song fully recorded in English, and “Lingo”.

Karina, who celebrated her birthday on April 11, received a beautiful present from her Philippine MYs in the form of a banner project and a birthday song. “You guys are my gift. I’m very thankful that you guys have given me a moment that is such a precious present and gift for me. Thank you so much,” Karina said. On Twitter, the K-Pop artist also shared a photo of the cake that her fans prepared for her on her special day. A special surprise was also given to Philippine MYs as the girls gave a sneak peek of their upcoming comeback, MY WORLD, which is set for release on May 8.

“First of all being here in the Philippines with all the members makes me really happy. And like the Philippine weather, you are so passionate. I really had a wonderful time here in the Philippines,” Ningning said, expressing also her love for the food in the country. Giselle echoed Ningning’s love for Filipino food and relayed her gratitude to the fans for coming to see them at K-Verse. “I was excited to come to the Philippines for the first time. We really enjoyed the food as Ningning said. Thank you, thank you so much for coming here tonight, being with us, and cheering us on. We hope we can come back soon, hopefully for our concert,” she said.

Like Giselle, Winter expressed her desire to return to the country and hold another performance. “It’s such a shame that we have a short time here in the Philippines. When we come back for a performance, you guys are gonna come with us, right? We thank you all for spending your precious time with us. We will make sure that aespa will come back,” she said.

aespa closed their set with their 2021 hit song, “Next Level”, which received the Digital Song Bonsang Award at the 2022 Golden Disc Awards and which gave the girl group the Best Dance Performance Award for a Female Group at the 2021 Mnet Asian Music Awards.

A Thrilling Ride with The Boyz at K-Verse

The Boyz took the stage next, making their return to the Philippine concert stage in almost five years. The boy group, composed of Sangyeon, Jacob, Younghoon, Hyunjae, Juyeon, Kevin, New, Q, Ju Haknyeon, Sunwoo, and Eric, first came to the country in 2018 as part of the star-studded MBC Show Champion in Manila lineup.

Kicking off their comeback stage in the Philippines, the boy group performed “Roar” from their newest album, Be Awake. They then proceeded to greet The Bs with their trademark greeting and say hello to them individually. Sangyeon, Jacob, Younghoon, Hyunjae, Juyeon, Kevin, New, Q, Ju Haknyeon, Sunwoo, and Eric went back to performance mode and took the stage with back-to-back performances of “Maverick” and “The Stealer” from their Maverick and Chase albums, respectively.

Sunwoo received an advance birthday greeting from Philippine The Bs. The rapper showed his appreciation to the fans by bowing and saying thank you. He called the sweet gesture of fans a big present for him, highly appreciative of the birthday song. Sunwoo turned 23 years old on April 12.

After fired-up performances, The Boyz made a sweet return to the stage with a fun-filled performance of “Salty”, a track from their 2020 album, Reveal. They then came closer to fans, went around the stage, and interacted with fans in “Dancing Till We Drop”.

The boy group also made a declaration to return to the Philippines for a solo concert. “Philippines, make some noise if you want The Boyz back here,” Eric said, earning loud screams from the crowd.

They definitely turned everyone at the venue The Bs with an exhilarating stage of “Thrill Ride” from the Thrill-ing album—closing their incredible set.

Beshie Taeyeon Returns to Manila

The final performer of K-Verse, King Taeyeon made her highly-awaited return to the local concert scene on April 11. The leader of Girls’ Generation got The Big Dome cheering in delight as she emerged on stage with her opening song, “I”. Life was truly a beauty as she followed it up with “Toddler”. The concert marked the first time that the singer performed “Toddler” live for her Philippine SONEs.

Greeting fans, Taeyeon admitted that it truly has been a while since she came to the country for a concert. But despite the long wait, her beshies are more than happy to welcome her back with their loudest cheers and banners.

Taeyeon acknowledged the passionate energy of Philippine SONEs. “Your reaction is so hot that it seems I really need to come back for a solo concert,” she said, a statement that garnered loud agreement from the crowd. She also shared that she is in the midst of preparing for a concert. “So if you guys wait for a little bit, I’ll make sure to come back and greet you all once again,” she added.

Taeyeon continued her performances with “Set Myself on Fire”, “Four Seasons”, and “What Do I Call You”. She then took a moment to once again express her gratitude for the cheers and reiterated her promise to come back.

Also for the first time, Taeyeon showed the Philippine crowd a live performance of “INVU” from her third studio album of the same name released in 2022.

A truly star-studded affair that brought together three of the best K-Pop acts, K-Verse made the dreams of MYs, The Bs, and SONEs come true with an ultimate show that saw aespa debut on the local concert stage and welcome The Boyz and Taeyeon back to Manila.

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K-Verse: The Ultimate Pop Universe was presented by MakeitLive, Content Sandbox, FangirlAsia, A Planet Entertainment, and Sinchunoung. Special thanks to MakeItLive for the invitation.

TREASURE and Philippine Teumes crafted a stellar concert that never stopped dazzling with tremendous intensity, untouchable performances of outstanding live vocals, powerful raps, energizing dances, and immaculate harmony, backed by an outstanding stage production and with Teulights shining brilliantly and proudly.

Choi Hyunsuk, Jihoon, Yoshi, Junkyu, Yoon Jaehyuk, Asahi, Haruto, Doyoung, Park Jeongwoo, and So Junghwan completely dominated the Philippine concert stage from the opening through the encore stages of the 2023 TREASURE TOUR [HELLO] IN MANILA, showcasing TREASURE’s formidable abilities, solid skills, charming personalities, and commanding stage presence. Philippine Teumes returned the fervor with relentless vigor and endearing fan initiatives, giving the boys an unforgettable hello that made saying goodbye tough.

Even before the event began, the atmosphere inside the arena was electric as fans unceasingly chanted their support for the boy group with cheer after cheer. And when Choi Hyunsuk, Jihoon, Yoshi, Junkyu, Yoon Jaehyuk, Asahi, Haruto, Doyoung, Park Jeongwoo, and So Junghwan ascended the stage, the crowd erupted in thunderous excitement, giving them the loudest and warmest welcome.

Witnessing TREASURE perform on their own concert stage last April 14 and 15 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena was a proud moment and a shared dream realized. It sparked memories of their beginning in YG Treasure Box and seeing them carry heavy expectations and people’s doubts, and now watching with pride as they move forward relentlessly with love and support from thousands of people.

From YG Treasure Box to their Own Concert Stage: Philippines says “HELLO” to TREASURE

With Choi Hyunsuk’s “Are you ready for this?! Let’s go, Philippines!”, TREASURE officially opened the Philippine leg of their ongoing first concert tour with “JIKJIN”, their debut title song “BOY”, and “I LOVE YOU”.

Let’s remember where we started. We can do it.

CHOI HYUN SUK from the vcr played during the concert

The feelings of nostalgia persisted strongly when the boys returned with “Going Crazy”, the pre-debut song that they first performed in YG Treasure Box and was later on added to their first studio album, The First Step: TREASURE EFFECT. Teumes put all of their efforts into singing along to the undeniably fan-favorite tune as soon as the first note filled the arena. Adding to the elation, the boy group performed “Come to Me” and “B.L.T. (Bling Like This)” with charm.

Following a spectacular opening set for the HELLO Tour in Manila, Choi Hyunsuk, Jihoon, Yoshi, Junkyu, Yoon Jaehyuk, Asahi, Haruto, Doyoung, Park Jeongwoo, and So Junghwan greeted the Filipino crowd with their trademark introduction, “Find Your TREASURE! Hello, we are TREASURE!” After nine months since making their local stage debut in July 2022, each member remarked how eager they were to get back on the local concert stage and reconnect with their fans.

Jihoon said, “I love you! Mahal kita! Let’s have fun today.” The other members shared this sentiment, expressing their wish and promise for a fun-filled evening of music and lasting memories for all — a promise they kept as an undeniably spectacular and remarkable concert unfolded that evening.

They then sang breathtaking and touching renditions of “SLOW MOTION” and “IT’S OKAY” which further showcased their incredible singing skills, rap prowess, and flawless harmonies.

Following a VCR in which they sweetly expressed how much they missed their fans with handwritten words, TREASURE came back on stage to perform “HELLO” and “CLAP!” from their second extended play, The Second Step: Chapter Two, which has been certified double platinum by South Korea’s Circle Album Chart. TREASURE and Teumes then joined forces for an unplanned duet of “CLAP!” before the boy group resumed performance mode with a delightful staging of another crowd favorite, “DARARI,” which featured the TikTok dance made by fans in the choreography.

TREASURE then performed a beautiful rendition of “Orange” and as the stage lift rose, the members looked tenderly at the crowd that welcomed them back with open arms and proud cheers. Hands raised up, Teumes teamed up with the boys in “Hold It In”.

I think that last stage was really touching.

DOYOUNG

An adorable ment with Jihoon, Junkyu, Yoon Jaehyuk, Doyoung, Park Jeongwoo, and So Junghwan while the rest of the members prepare for the next stages. They asked for recommendations from the fans on what to eat in Manila to which fans responded with adobo, Jollibee, among others. Cheers erupted when the boys began giving pick-up lines in Taglish. It was a cute interaction to watch as the fans playfully replied to the pick-up lines.

Asahi and Haruto returned to the stage to rock it with “Thank You”, and the boy group’s rap line—Choi Hyunsuk, Yoshi, and Haruto—delivered an explosive performance of “VolKno”. There was no time for energy to wane with the live band on the tour amplifying the anticipation that led to TREASURE’s full group return with “MMM,”

TREASURE paid homage to their senior YG Entertainment labelmates iKON and BIGBANG with flawless and charged-up renditions of “Rhythm Ta” and “Bang Bang Bang”.

Teume liked this song very much so I really want to perform it on stage. Teume, thank you!

ASAHI on “THANK YOU”

To show their appreciation, the boys thanked Teumes in Filipino, saying “salamat” and bowing to the crowd. In addition, Choi Hyunsuk, Yoshi, and Haruto spoke about “VolKno” and conveyed their appreciation to Treasure Makers for their love and support, which enabled them to produce a music video to accompany the song. And the enjoyable moments keep coming with sexy dancing to “Rhythm Ta” by Junkyu, Jihoon, and Choi Hyunsuk.

Everyone’s heart went ddu-du ddu-du when TREASURE performed “U” and “MY TREASURE”.

HELLO to a Promise of Forever

Following a short break, TREASURE returned for their encore stages. They performed “EVERYDAY”, a special fan song they released in celebration of their first debut anniversary, and “Best Friend Forever”, an official soundtrack of their web series, The Mysterious Class, and later released as a track in the CD version of The Second Step: Chapter One album.

TREASURE’s return for the encore stages was welcomed by a sea of blue and white on the first day of the concert and rainbow hues on the second. Philippine Treasure Makers illuminated the arena with the special fan project, along with touching banner messages of “Let the Pearl of the Orient Seas TREASURE you” and “No matter how hard it gets, we’ll always say HELLO to our promise of forever.”

Don’t worry. Lean on us. We are not going anywhere, MY TREASURE!

FROM TREASURE MAKERS to TREASURE

As the concert approaches its end, the members gave Treasure Makers heartfelt thanks and messages of appreciation for their love and support. Yoshi termed the concert a “big pleasure” and urged the audience to support them in the future. Choi Hyunsuk, Junkyu, and Park Jeongwoo vowed to deliver stronger performances and give their all to make Treasure Makers proud. “I got so much energy from all of you tonight. And I hope you were also able to get energy from us. I will work harder to be your grown man Jeongwoo. Kita-kita tayo ulit,” Park Jeongwoo said.

Jihoon and Asahi thanked the Philippine Teumes for their unrelenting energy throughout the show. “I wanna say thank you very much because Manila Teume gave us a lot of love. Thank you so much! Mahal kita,” Jihoon said. Asahi added, “Thank you so much for today. You guys gave me amazing love and energy. I wish you happiness all the time. Take care and see you soon.”

You guys have changed my life today. I can’t forget this moment forever. I hope Teume will be the happiest person in the entire world. Love you! Thank you! Salamat! Thank you!

YOON JAEHYUK

Haruto expressed his delight at finally meeting Treasure Makers and performing in front of them again. “Your love and support make me so proud. Thank you always. Take care. Until next time,” he added. So Junghwan echoed his hyungs‘ gratitude and promise. “Today, we had our concert here in Manila. Thanks to Manila Teume, we had a great and amazing time again. I promise to come back here again soon. So please wait for us. Salamat,” he said.

My Treasure Maker, thank you for coming today. I will remember this moment and never forget the love and energy from you all. You are my Teume and I’m your Doyoung. I love you not to the world, but to the universe!

DOYOUNG

Teumes also didn’t let the evening go by without giving Choi Hyunsuk and Haruto a sweet birthday memory. The fans arranged a cake, a birthday banner, and native leis of modern Kalinga design for the boys and sang them a birthday song. The birthday boys were overjoyed and expressed their appreciation for the lovely surprise. Haruto turned 19 on April 5, while Choi Hyunsuk will turn a year older on April 21.

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The concert’s finale featured TREASURE performing “DARARI (Rock Version),” “HELLO,” and a remix of “Going Crazy,” “B.L.T.”, and “Orange”. On the second day of the concert, the boy group, who were overwhelmed by the fan initiative, also gave a spontaneous performance of “BEAUTIFUL,” their Japanese digital single that served as the title song for the anime Black Cover.

Less than three years after making their eagerly awaited debut, TREASURE demonstrated through the HELLO Tour that they could stand alone and play on their own concert stage. There was never a dull moment as each performance demonstrated the tremendous talent of each member and their capacity to rule any concert stage.

Ten diamonds, a devoted fandom, two days of unrelenting enthusiasm on one concert stage, and a memory to be cherished forever —TREASURE and Philippine Treasure Makers put on a stunning concert of electrifying performances and high-energy stages, complete with thundering cheers, vibrant and brilliant Teulights, and a commitment to making the evening the best for one another.

This Treasure Maker is proud of TREASURE. The boys she saw courageously take on the challenge of competition in YG Treasure Box, continually confront the skepticism of others, say goodbyes, and shoulder the weight of high expectations carried on and showed to the world what a TREASURE they are.

This Treasure Maker is proud of Choi Hyunsuk, Jihoon, Yoshi, Junkyu, Yoon Jaehyuk, Asahi, Haruto, Doyoung, Park Jeongwoo, and So Junghwan and is not going anywhere.

Words by: Dani Lacson

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The 2023 TREASURE TOUR [HELLO] IN MANILA was presented by YG Entertainment and Live Nation Philippines with special thanks to Live Nation Philippines.

This article contains events of Day 1 of the Hello Tour in Manila.

Nightwish delivered an incredible live music experience for their Filipino fans, blowing them away with their symphonic melodies and multi-dimensional metal tunes!

Iconic Finnish symphonic metal band NIGHTWISH, composed of members, Floor Jansen (vocals), Tuomas Holopainen (keyboards), Emppu Vuorinen (guitars), Troy Donockley (uilleann pipes), Kai Hahto (drums), and Jukka Koskinen (bass guitar), granted the longtime wish of their Filipino fans in the staging of their first solo concert in the country last March 29 at the Skydome, SM North EDSA.

As a fan of the band, attending NIGHTWISH HUMAN :||: NATURE 2023 IN MANILA was an incomparable experience with a setlist that perfectly blended their classic hits and newer songs and showcased the band’s evolution over the years.

The concert kicked off with “Noise,” the opening track from their latest album, Human :||: Nature. The energy in the arena was electrifying as the crowd sang along to every word. The band then transitioned seamlessly into “Dark Chest of Wonders,” a fan-favorite from their 2004 album, Once.

Next up was “Pan,” a powerful song with haunting melodies and strong vocals from lead singer Floor Jansen. The band then launched into “Nemo,” one of their most popular songs, which had the entire arena singing in unison.

The setlist continued with a mix of old and new. Nightwish also played a few deep cuts from their earlier albums, showcasing their diverse range and ability to keep fans engaged throughout the show.

The highlight of the night was undoubtedly the performance of “The Greatest Show on Earth,” a 24-minute epic that tells the story of the evolution of life on Earth. The band’s musical prowess was on full display during this epic song, which featured stunning visuals and an incredible light show.

Overall, NIGHTWISH HUMAN :||: NATURE 2023 IN MANILA concert setlist was a perfect mix of old and new, showcasing the band’s evolution and ability to captivate their audience. The energy in the arena was electric, and the band’s performance left fans wanting more. It was truly a night to remember.

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The NIGHTWISH HUMAN :||: NATURE 2023 IN MANILA was presented by PULP Live World. Special thanks to PULP Live World for the invitation.

Words by James Dela Merced

BLACKPINK was in our area, creating history and solidifying their phenomenal status in the music industry.

BLACKPINK staged the BLACKPINK WORLD TOUR [BORN PINK] MANILA (BULACAN) on March 25 and 26 at the Philippine Arena, four years after making their concert debut in the Philippines. JISOO, JENNIE, ROSÉ, and LISA triumphantly returned to the Philippine concert stage, greeted by a sea of pink lights and the relentless cheers of BLINKs who filled the arena during the girl group’s historic sold-out back-to-back shows.

It came as no surprise that the event etched a fresh chapter in the legacy of K-Pop in the Philippines. The anticipation for the event has been palpable from the tour’s announcement since it will be the first time in four years that the phenomenal girl group graces the local concert scene—in a larger venue with a bigger stage and a more extensive discography.

The girls kicked off the show with “How You Like That” and “Pretty Savage” from their million-selling debut studio album, The Album, and “Whistle” from their debut single album, Square One.

The members then took a moment to officially welcome BLINKs to the Philippine stop of their current world tour and individually said their hellos. They also expressed astonishment to the crowd that welcomed them to their return to the Philippine concert stage. “I did not know they have the seats up so high. It looks like it’s the stars up there,” JENNIE remarked.

A gorgeous illumination lit the arena and surrounded the girls like stars as they continued the concert with “Don’t Know What to Do” and “Lovesick Girls.” No signs of dwindling enthusiasm could be seen in the arena. With such fervor, the cheers grew louder and louder. The concert was absolutely worth the wait because BLACKPINK performed a gratifying opening set for their BLINKs.

BLACKPINK made a triumphant stage comeback, performing “Kill This Love,” “Crazy Over You,” “Playing With Fire,” “Tally,” and “Pink Venom” with fiery performances while donning a new set of outfits for the concert.

As BLACKPINK gets ready for their solo performances, YGX, a hip-hop dance crew under YG Entertainment, grabbed the stage and wowed the crowd with their incredible routines. In addition, BLACKPINK performed with the support of a live band made up of Yung, Chuckie G, Omar, and Bennie. This added another layer of richness to the already spectacular stages that BLACKPINK has created.

The subsequent solo performances by JISOO, JENNIE, ROSÉ, and LISA showed each performer’s distinct style and skills. JISOO, who will release her debut solo single album, Me, on March 31, enthralled the crowd with a cover of Camila Cabello’s “Liar.” JENNIE took the stage next with an unreleased track, “You & I (Moonlight),” paired with an entrancing partnered dance routine. ROSÉ leaned into her rocker side as she began her solo set with “Hard to Love,” before mellowing it down with an emotional staging of “On the Ground.” LISA closed the solo stages with hard-hitting performances of “Money” and “Lalisa.”

BLACKPINK gave mesmerizing performances, never losing their enthusiasm and commanding the entire audience with their charm and stage presence. The audience was just as animated, mirroring the excitement and expectation of the performers with resounding applause and sing-alongs after each performance. Even ROSÉ was visibly shocked by the volume of the concertgoers from the Philippines, saying that they were the loudest crowd they had ever heard.

While the girls performed “Shut Down,” “Typa Girl,” “DDU-DU DDU-DU,” and “Forever Young,” the Philippine Arena continued to quiver with unimaginable fervor.

A VCR was followed by encore performances of “Yes Yeah Yeah,” “Stay,” and “As If It’s Your Last” where JISOO, JENNIE, ROSÉ, and LISA moved closer to the audience, circled the stage, and engaged in active fan interaction. The girls were happy as they enjoyed themselves and shared those special moments with BLINKs.

Upon the song’s conclusion, ROSÉ thanked everyone involved in the making of BLACKPINK WORLD TOUR [BORN PINK] MANILA (BULACAN). “And of course, thank you to our Philippine fans! Salamat po! We love you,” she added.

JENNIE added, “You guys were truly amazing tonight!” The girls then greeted and bowed to their Philippine BLINKs for the last time, expressing their thank yous to the amazing crowd of the evening. “This has been BLACKPINK! Kamsahamnida, salamat po,” they said as they waved goodbye and blew kisses to the fans.

JISOO, JENNIE, ROSÉ, and LISA were reunited with their Filipino BLINKs on the BLACKPINK WORLD TOUR [BORN PINK] MANILA (BULACAN) four years after their first performance in the Philippines. The excitement to see them on the local concert stage was palpable, with a sold-out crowd welcoming them back to the country for two nights of an unbelievable experience alongside an endless display of enthusiasm from their fans. Indeed, BLACKPINK’s dominance as one of the most successful and phenomenal K-Pop artists to ever make their debut was demonstrated by the back-to-back concerts, which were supported by nearly 100,000 Filipino fans who flocked to the largest indoor arena in the world— writing a new chapter in history.

Special thanks to Live Nation Philippines

Stray Kids came back with a show like no other for their Philippine STAYs.

Almost four years after their first concert in the Philippines, South Korean boy group Stray Kids made their way back to the Philippine concert stage and brought their second world tour, MANIAC, to the SM Mall of Asia Arena with back-to-back concerts for their Philippine STAYs.

Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Felix, Seungmin, and I.N kicked off the Manila leg of their world tour on March 11 with a three-hour show that saw them perform songs from their recent releases and their greatest hits from their earlier albums.

Before the show even began, Filipino STAYs filled the arena with enthusiasm and fervor as they sang along to the tracks and held up their lightsticks in support of their favorite boy band.

With Stray Kids strikingly charismatic in red, the highly anticipated concert officially began with “MANIAC”, “Venom”, and “Red Lights” from their million-selling albums Oddinary and Noeasy. In addition to the outstanding performances by the boy group, the MANIAC Tour concert featured a one-of-a-kind concert spectacle that included incredible stage designs, unusual props, mesmerizing lights, and a live band.

Leader Bang Chan then took the lead in greeting their Filipino fans after a long time following their first meeting in 2019. “You guys are very, very good at cheering today,” he commented as the crowd goes loud for the boy group. After a group greeting, the members individually said hello and introduced themselves in Filipino.

Following the high-energy start and now clad in a black-and-white ensemble, Stray Kids kept the momentum alive with “Easy” and “ALL IN”. Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Felix, Seungmin, and I.N then brought everyone at the MOA Arena back to 2018 with “District 9”, the title track of their debut extended play I Am Not.

With performances of songs from not just their most recent albums but also from earlier ones—songs that epitomized the boys’ remarkable artistry from the time they were rookies—the MANIAC Tour served as a tribute to the members’ artistic development. With their last concert in the Philippines dating back to 2019, the concert was a moment unlike any other, a nostalgic and proud feeling to have witnessed them in their first year since their debut to the million-seller and sold-out acts that they have become today. 

The concert witnessed live stages of “Back Door”, “Charmer”, “Lonely St.”, “Side Effects”, “Thunderous”, “Domino”, “God’s Menu”, “Cheese”, “Yayaya”, and “Rock” before Stray Kids divided themselves into units with Bang Chan, Lee Know, Seungmin, and I.N performing “Waiting for Us”, while Changbin, Hyunjin, and Felix took on the stage with “Muddy Water”. During the interval before the unit stages, the boys had fun with STAYs and gifted them with spontaneous freestyle dance (Hyunjin), a cover of Dua Lipa’s “Love Again” (Felix), and Sam Fischer’s “This City” (Lee Know), and an acoustic version of NewJeans’ “OMG” (Seungmin).

“Case 143” got the MOA Arena echoing with love confessions for Stray Kids as STAYs scream “I love you” to the boy group. The boy group then ended the set prior to the encore with a jaw-dropping parade of performances of “Hellavator”, “Top”, and “Victory Song”.

While Stray Kids prepare for the encore stages, STAYs took the spotlight and gamely said yes to the missions prepared by the boys—talented idols and talented fans (of all ages) united! Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, Felix, Seungmin, and I.N returned for the encore stages of “Fam”, “Miroh”, “Star Lost”, and “Haven”.

“Whenever we do a concert with STAYs, it’s not just us that’s doing the concert, but I feel like we’re doing it together because we sing together, dance together. We share love together,” Bang Chan remarked. Han, who had to sit down during the concert due to health reasons, received loud cheers from the fans, reassuring him of their understanding. Still, despite the limitations, he delivered nothing short of his best with an impressive display of his rap and vocals and a dominating stage presence that radiated throughout the show. In addition, the members made sure Han never felt left out, going their way to come to him.

“I know you guys really hate to hear this word—I’m sorry. I’m really, really sorry about that. I know you guys are really worried about my condition issues and healthcare, but guys, to be honest, I really feel okay, I really feel great. Doing this show and your energy make my condition better. I feel great now,” Han said. He also urged the fans not to cry and assured them that he is really okay.

“The last time we came here was very beautiful. I can see why the people are so lovely, very loving, and very cheerful in a way. And seeing that, I feel like you guys really did cheer us up a lot. I felt that a lot today.”

FELIX

MANIAC Tour in Manila was an auditory and visual display, a touching reunion, and teamwork that resulted in a successful event that would be talked about for days, months, and years to come. It was produced with astounding showmanship that demonstrated a concert unlike any other.

The concert ended with an energy that never wavers and a stronger promise to stay because STAYs make Stray Kids stay—and this is home.

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The STRAY KIDS 2nd World Tour MANIAC was presented by PULP Live World and Happee Hour. Special thanks to PULP Live World and Ms. Happee Sy-Go for the invite to Day 1 of the concert.

The article contains events from Day 1 of Maniac in Manila.