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It began with an Instagram story. Before the Manila stop of Mike Shinoda’s Post Traumatic Tour, he took online and asked fans what they wanted to see. Someone suggested he smash one song from every Linkin Park album. But this is Mike Shinoda, the man, the myth, the legend, and by the end of the night he represented every studio album from Linkin Park, Fort Minor, and Mike Shinoda.

Mike had the stage presence and crowd command of a full band, backed by multi-instrumentalists Dan Mayo and Matthias Harris. A backdrop of waltzing smoke and blinding choreographed lights set the tone for every track. This was the penultimate destination of his world tour and the last headlining stop.

Mixes and mashups helped navigate through his extensive discography. For the first time ever, he mixed Lift Off with High Voltage and Skin to Bone and couldn’t hide his amazement after pulling it off. On Twitter later that evening, he shared how he had to write down the first line of Keys to the Kingdom, which he added into Sorry for Now, describing the lines were a deep cut.

Gaps between performances were utilized for storytelling. We learned that Castle of Glass, released under the Living Things album, was actually written at the end of production for A Thousand Suns. He also mentioned that Invisible was written for his children to listen to when they grow up and face moments of uncertainty.

This stop of Post Traumatic saw a couple firsts. It was the tour debut of I.O.U. and the first performance of Worlds on Fire post-music video release. Although Mike has had input on the animated components of his releases, the Worlds on Fire music video is the first time he has drawn characters. The video was published the day before the concert.

English band Don Broco opened the event with infectious high-energy performances. They were happy to be in the country for the first time, noting that when their track Beautiful Morning came out in 2011, their second biggest listenership was Manila after their local of Bedford. The group later joined Mike for a blazing performance of A Place for My Head.

The most beautiful part of the evening was Mike playing keys for Numb/Encore and In the End/ Enth E Nd with the audience filling in for singing duties. It’s not everyday you have a duet with the man behind your karaoke staple. He would stop playing the last set of notes and only the audience’s chorus bounced through the walls. There’s a perceptible air of calm and relief broken shortly by claps and howls.

Whether intentional or not, the concert was a cathartic experience, perhaps more so for those who have followed Mike since Hybrid Theory came out in 2000. The show was heavy on emotions without necessarily being emotional. Two years ago, Mike doubted whether he could continue music and touring. We’re thankful he did.

Special thanks to Insignia Presents

Words by Marijo Endriga
Photos by Carla Barretto

We can 100 percent assure that everyone inside the SMART Araneta Coliseum last September 13, 2019 went home with smiles on their faces — ready to be braver than they were prior to that night — as Moira Dela Torre did not only send shivers down our spines with her soothing voice, but also inspired us to take courage and hang on.

Despite taking on the theme of winter, Moira’s Braver concert at The Big Dome was filled with warmth as thousands of people witness a realization of a dream and a testament of how far she has come in her career as a singer. It was a proud moment for everyone who has seen her as a budding artist in the first season of The Voice of the Philippines under the guidance of Black Eyed Peas’ apl.de.ap.

And fast forward to six years later, the singer-songwriter stood at the SMART Araneta Coliseum for her second solo concert, kicking off the show with “Tagu-Taguan” from her Malaya album. She continued to bewitch everyone with her vocals with her rendition of Monstar88’s “Torete” and Imago’s “Sundo”, followed by the Libertine Amistoso Himig Handog winning song “Titibo-Tibo”.

It was a concert of gratitude from Moira who dedicated the concert to all the people who made her brave. “This is not about me, but this is about everyone who made me brave. And you made me brave,” she said during the show.

Every song was heartfelt — equipped with valuable story of hope, love, and faith and reminders that we can get through all these challenges. From the hugot-filled songs “Pahinga” and “EDSA (Emosyong Dinaan sa Awit)” to the uplifting words of “Lion” and the comforting lyrics of “Sabi Ng Lola”, the concert reminded us that we are stronger than any adversary, that all these hugot, in their time, shall also pass.

Other than the life lessons Moira willingly shared to the audience, Braver was also a celebration of Original Pinoy Music (OPM) as the singer-songwriter generously shared the concert stage with other OPM acts. France and Dave Lamar from Cornerstone opened the show for her, giving the crowd a sweet appetizer before the main show.

Braver saw the top five finalists of Idol Philippines do duets with Moira who took part in the show as judge, along with Regine Velasquez, Vice Ganda, and James Reid. The singer admitted going through health issues while on the show, but opted to continue her role as judge. According to her, she did not want to let the opportunity pass to be part of someone’s dream come true.

Miguel started the special stage with “Pagdating Ng Panahon”. Lance took the baton next with “Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko”, followed by Lucas who impressed his rendition of “Kahit Kailan”. Moira and Dan then did a sweet duet of “Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang”, before Idol Philippines grand winner Zephanie took the stage with “Forevermore”.

Probably garnering the loudest cheer that night among the special guests is box-office king and singer-actor Daniel Padilla who got everyone kilig with his charming moves to the tune of his and Moira’s Himig Handog song “Mabagal”. Still, nothing can ever slow down the emotions of that night when the hugot emotions once again came alive with I Belong To The Zoo, December Avenue, and Ben & Ben who teamed up with Moira for songs that make up every Pinoy’s hugot playlist.

I Belong To The Zoo joined the singer-songwriter for “Patawad, Paalam” which now boasts more than 11 million streams on Spotify. Meanwhile, the stage with December Avenue reminded us of the love story of Ethan and Joy in Hello, Love, Goodbye as “Kung Di Rin Lang Ikaw” resonates at The Big Dome.

The crowd at the venue was fortunate to witness the first live performance of “Paalam” — fresh from its release at midnight of September 13. “Paalam”, a collaboration with Ben & Ben, and “Patawad, Paalam” are part of Moira’s upcoming album Paalam which will be filled with collaborations.

For Braver, the singer-songwriter tapped the help of her sisters Mariah and Jaime who left everyone awestruck with their heavenly vocals which created a perfect harmony with their sister’s voice. Talent truly runs in the family as the trio left the audience captivated with their performances of “You Are My Sunshine”, “Can’t Help Falling In Love”, and “I Won’t Last A Day Without You”.

And when it comes to team ups, a Moira x Jason Marvin duet shall never be missed. The singer-songwriter took us back to her wedding day and got people saying “sana all” with kilig with her song “Promise” and her duet with her husband “Ikaw At Ako”.

Moira ended the night with “Tagpuan” from her Malaya album and a special dedication. Switching up the lyrics of “Tagpuan”, the singer-songwriter sent her gratitude to the crowd with the words “Kayo ang panalangin ko”.

With Braver, Moira Dela Torre did not only serenaded the thousands of people who came to witness another successful show, but she also used her stage to bring inspiration and hope to people to be braver through her wise words and stories of her experiences.

Special thanks to Cornerstone Entertainment Inc. and Star Music