One Glam Night with Adam Lambert (Concert Review)

After my frustration for not witnessing John Mayer’s concert in Manila earlier this month, I decided to grab the chance to watch Adam Lambert’s concert (thanks to Eventcape for free VIP tickets).

Although I am not a big fan of Adam Lambert, watching the concert was a good choice to de-stress and unwind. And, it’s been months that I haven’t gone to any concert.

It started at around 8PM with opening act from local band, Paraluman. We did not catch the start but I guess they performed about four songs.  I kinda expected the main act will start more or less an hour later, as what usually happens in most concerts so I decided to start doing this concert review while waiting.

When Adam Lambert’s photo was flashed at the projector screen on  stage, everybody got excited– some yelled like there’s no tomorrow, while some had their photo ops.

At 9PM, the seats from the VVIP up to Gold sections were almost filled but the concert has not started yet. Adam’s photo on the projector had been changed too, which brought back the crowd’s excitement. We did not feel so bored while waiting though, thanks to the not so boring playlist they have and the back-to-back Beyonce and Michael Jackson hits, and a lot more. And I’m sure the Lady Gaga tracks were delight to the waiting audience too. Although having seats in the concert grounds was a bad idea as I initially thought, it somehow helped us survive last night’s heat.

At 9:15, lights at the VIP area were switched off, a sign that at any moment, the concert would start. And there, the much awaited appearance of American Idol alum in Manila finally happened! Adam opened the show with his “Voodoo” performance, followed by “For Your Entertainment”. The first two songs were hit to the audience. It was a great opening performance.

From a non-Adam Lambert fan, I could say I really appreciated the show. Although I am not familiar to most of the songs he performed last night (well except for 2-3 songs I heard a couple of times), it was a fantastic show.

The Glam Nation concert tour leg in Manila was definitely a successful one–marked by almost 20,000 audience, superb performance from Adam himself, the smooth flow of the program (leaving no room for boredom whatsoever), the lighting and sound system. Adam’s band and dancers had given their best performance too. Overall, the production was even way better than the previous international acts I’ve seen here in Manila. I think I can be turned into an Adam Lambert fan after seeing this concert.

At 10:20, marked the end of the show. The crowd went silent for few seconds until fans shouted for more. A minute or two, Adam (along with his band and dancers), came back to the stage and did one more song, a cover of Tears for Fears’ “Mad World”. The concert ended at 10:30 PM.

Set List

• Voodoo
• For Your Entertainment
• Down The Rabbit Hole
• Ring of Fire
• Fever
• Sleepwalker
• Whataya Want From Me
• Soaked
• Broken Open
• Aftermath
• Sure Fire Winners
• Strut
• Music Again
• If I Had You
• Mad World

See my other posts for photos taken at the concert.

Check out my photos: Set 1, Set 2, Set 3, Set 4, and Set 5.

Stars Go Dim’s Songs Are My New Addiction

I’m always fond of looking for new songs–those that sound differently from the songs we usually hear over the radio, something that is nice to hear especially when I feel like I want to unwind, reminisce, or when I’m on the  road or at the beach. And  I think I found my new addiction: Stars Go Dim’s songs which are off from the band’s new album  Love Gone Mad.

Stars Go Dim, an Oklahoma-based band, consists of lead vocalist Chris Cleveland, guitarist Joey Avalos, bassist Michael Wittig, and drummer Lester Estelle. Considered as the best unsigned pop band in Oklahoma (according to magazine The Urban Tulsa), Stars Go Dim’s fan base (especially on the internet) has been growing.

No wonder, I instantly liked and loved their songs just like our fellows in some parts of the Philippines, particularly in Davao, Cebu and Manila where their singles “Crazy” and “Love Gone Mad” have taken the top spots of the music charts in several radio stations.

For the first time I heard their songs, honestly, I really started to like almost all of them.Though I seem to associate their music to The Fray and The Script,  I believe the band successfully came out with fresh, unique sound and style. The songs from their album are the types which the young ones can enjoy and relate to having love as a common theme.

For now, I need to search for lyrics and start memorizing my favorite Stars Go Dim songs. I am an instant fan the moment I heard their songs and I wish they will come over here soon to show us more what they got!

I just copied SGD’s songs on my new music player to enjoy it every time I wanna hear it. Honestly,  the band has become one of my ultimate favorites.

To know more about Stars Go Dim, check out their official website and facebook page!

You may also check out these youtube videos featuring some of my favorite SGD songs:

The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus Live in Manila 2009 (Review)

I was supposed to watch The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus on their Sunday show in Trinoma but since I was offered another set of tickets and meet-and-greet pass on their Friday show at Market! Market! here at The Fort, I just grabbed the offer since it’s near my workplace aside from the fact that I am too excited to see them perform here while they are in Manila. And thank God, I was on leave that time and that made me able to hang out prior to watching them.

An hour before the show,  the mall’s activity center was already crowded. A lot of fans and spectators were waiting around for RJA to show up while VIP ticket and special passes
holders started to fill-in the venue.

The show started past 6PM, few minutes late from the announced time, but it was totally fine and worth-the-wait when the band’s members show up and  did “You Better Pray” as their opening performance.

As the band did their second song, “In Fate’s Hands“, everybody seemed to lose control and started getting off their seats, stood up, and went rock-and-rolling as they get near the stage.

Though it was not a major concert held in bigger venue like Araneta or open fields of Taguig or Mall of Asia, the stage, audio, the band’s performance and overall production were better than from what I expected.  It’s really worth the time and efforts to watch them perform even just at the Activity Centers of the Ayala Malls.

The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus did eleven songs, and obviously, their hits like “You Better Pray“, “Damn Regret“, “Face Down“, “Justify” and “You’re My Guardian Angel” are really popular to the audience who were there.

Right after their performance, fans were give a fair chance to meet and greet the members of the band, get their autographs, and take pictures with them. Seeing them perform live is good enough for me, but being able to get up-close and have a photo with them is a great opportunity.

I was also able to hand them my business card so if any of the band members is reading my post now, just feel free to say hello. I hope I can interview you guys. =D

You can check out my photo coverage at this LINK.

The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus Live in Manila
Market!Market! (March 6, 2009)
Set List

1. You Better Pray
2. In Fate’s Hands
3. False Pretense
4. Waiting
5. Cat & Mouse
6. Damn Regret
7. Justify
8. Pen & Paper
9. Face Down
10. Pull Me Back
11. Guardian

Eraserheads Reunion Concert: The Final Set (Review)

That Saturday night was the most anticipated, much-awaited night for those who appreciates Eraserheads and their music. As early as last year, few months after their first reunion concert which took place at the Open Fields of Fort Bonifacio, there was already buzz that the band will have the final set of their reunion concert this year.

And finally, Eraserheads Reunion Concert: The Final Set was held at the grounds of Mall of Asia Complex last March 7. It was not a big surprise to see a big crowd, which I think was the biggest crowd I’ve seen so far beating the number of concert-goers who were at the back-to-back concert of Rihanna and Chris Brown, and even the attendees of Beyonce’s B-Day.

With more or less 100,000 fans who gathered at the venue last Saturday, the band’s opening performance, singing their hit “Magasin” suddenly caught everyone’s attention and had probably caused goosebumps, bringing back the memories of the good old days. The four large screens showing each member of Eraserheads (Ely Buendia, Raymund Marasigan, Marcus Adoro, Buddy Zabala), and the pyro display add up to a best concert experience for fans.

The opening act was followed by ten more songs, making up the first set of the concert. When some thought that it’s already the end of “The Final Set“, they were wrong. I know most of the fans expected that the band will just do 15 songs, but they were all wrong. There were actually two sets, adding another unofficial set, making it three sets all.

As expected, hits like “Maling Akala“, “Maskara“, “Huwag Mo Nang Itanong” ( which they turned into a reggae version), “Pare Ko“, “Overdrive“, “Ligaya“, “Ang Huling El Bimbo“, and “Toyang” were the crowd’s favorite that night. Some were obviously overwhelmed, while others almost had teary eyes while jamming with the band.

While it was the perfect time to celebrate the reunion of Eraserheads members, the concert also turned out to be an instant tribute night for their fellow artist and musician, Francis Magalona, who passed away few days before the event. Francis M. was supposed to be a guest performer at the concert but since he could no longer make it there, the band just paid tribute to The Master Rapper by doing “Superproxy” and a part of “Kaleidoscope World“.

Indeed, it was a very successful event, unlike the first Eraserheads Reunion concert which they had to cut short when Ely Buendia suffered from heart attack. Best performance, good stage set and production, pyro display, less the bad audio (probably those from Gold and VIP areas did not notice this) and the “jologs” poser fans at our back who were shouting like there’s no tomorrow and had no other intent but spoil the night, the Eraseheads Reunion Concert: The Final Set was one of the best local concerts I witnessed so far. Still we had to celebrate for it’s success. Right after, we headed to Sofitel’s “7 Pecados” for the after-party where we spotted some personalities and also Ely Buendia

I just have a question though: will this really be the final set?

We want more of Eraserheads.

More photos HERE…

Eraserheads Reunion Concert: The Final Set List
1. Magasin
2. Walang Nagbago
3. Maling Akala
4. Maskara
5. Poorman’s Grave
6. Waiting for the Bus
7. Huwag mo ng Itanon
8. Slo Mo
9. Alkohol
10. Insomnya
11. Torpedo

2nd Set
1. Julietearjerky
2. Tikman
3. Wishing Well
4. Fine Time
5. Pare Ko
6. Kailan
7. Back to me
8. Trip to Jerusalem
9. Spoliarium
10. Overdrive
11. Superproxy
12. Minsan
13. Alapaap
14.Kaleidoscope World
15. Ang Huling El Bimbo

(Unofficial 3rd Set)
1. Ligaya
2. Sembreak
3. Toyang

Fall Out Boy Live in Manila 2009: My Concert Review

Ok. I will admit that I am not easily pleased by rock bands, those of emo-ish types with fans posing their gothic getup, but I think Fall Out Boy is an exception. I am a big fan to the point that until now, I still regret missing their concert in Manila last 2007. But somehow, it’s  fine since I got to watch their concert in Manila this year.

The night of February 13, 2009 was officially the third time Fall Out Boy performed at the concert stage of Araneta Coliseum. Being the third, I quite expected this won’t be such a big hit as compared to the sold-out, box-office hit two-night concert of the band in Manila in 2007.  There were more vacant seats at the Patron area, particulary the Upper B  section which was only quarter full,  but good thing was the the venue was almost 90% full.  Still good and acceptable enough.

(American alternative rock band Hey Monday during the Press Conference at Edsa Shangri-La Hotel)

The concert started less than 10 minutes late from the announced time which is 8:00 p.m. with new alternative rock band Hey Monday (composed of Cassadee Pope, Mike Gentile, Alex Lipshaw. Michael “Jersey” Moriarty, Elliot James and Bobby Nolanfor the) doing the front act for Fall Out Boy.

It was a bit surprising that Hey Monday has a promising number of followers jamming with them during their performance considering they are still quite new in the scene. Normally, folks here would skip the front act but that was not the case last night because the audience was alive while they were rock and rolling. I was even shaking my feet while listening to them, but can’t jam since their songs are still quite new to me. What I can’t take was the sound system, the poor audio, which made it hard for me and the rest of the audience (or at least the people I was with last night) to understand the words they were uttering.

Hey Monday’s performance ended at around 8:45 p.m.  Right after, everyone screamed and got more excited for Fall Out Boy. When the backdrop (where the name of the band was written) was  being raised at around 9:00, the screaming gets louder and louder.

At exactly 9:10, the members of Fall Out Boy band went out and started playing Thnks fr th Mmrs, a perfect startup song for them since this is their comeback concert in Manila. As expected, everyone went crazy. Ladies were shouting for Pete Wentz. It was a very lively opening. The screaming went louder when Pete talked to the audience. Then they did their second song, followed by “Sugar, We’re Going Down” and they were joined by the pretty lead vocal of Hey Monday.

Actually, when there’s a chance, Pete was always the one talking to the audience and obviously, the girls in the audience loved it. And if you will asked them what’s the best part of the concert, probably they will say it’s when Pete (carried by a bouncer) went off the stage  and stayed for few minutes with the audience while singing.

But for me, the best part of the concert was when they did “I Don’t Care” and made everybody amazed by their glowing guitars (I don’t know how to call it but hey, their guitars were glowing!)

Despite the fact that they probably went here for their Folie A Deux album, it was obvious that their hits from the past album, Infinity on High, are still popular to the Filipino fans.

Though this was a concert I so waited for, I was kinda disappointed, not because of  poor performance (actually, the band is really good since they were able to keep their energy up to the last minute). The lighting was good while the stage was fine. Good enough for a rock concert. What I can’t take was the very poor audio to the point that I can’t understand the lyrics and the words they “mumbled”. The audio is terrible. Fall Out Boy was very energetic but the poor audio did not give justice to their performance. In fact, I idolize Patrick Stump more because I can prove that he got powerful vocals.   Among other concerts I witnessed in Araneta, this could be the worst in terms of audio or sound quality.

Overall, it was a good concert still, and maybe could be better if they did “I’m Like a Lawyer with the Way I’m Always Trying to Get You Off (Me & You)”, unfortunately, they did not. The whole night I was trying to make a complete  of their songs but  failed to do so. I think, they played a total of 16 songs last night. If you know what I missed, just let me know. So here is the partial set list I came up with:

1. thnks fr th mmrs
2. thriller
3. sixteen candles..
4. american boy (cover)
5. sugar
6. this aint a scene..
7. i dont care
8. beat it
9. headfirst slide..
10. nobody puts baby..
11. the take over..
12. i slept with someone..
13. disloyal order..
14. grand theft (where is your boy)
15. america’s suitehearts
16. dance, dance
17. saturday

More photos coming up at: www.musicrator.com

Sandwich – “Betamax” Lyrics, Video and Review

After their successful “Procrastinator“, Sandwich band comes with this new single, “Betamax“, which is hitting the top spots in our local charts today.