Of Flying Skulls, Mosh Pits and Brassiere Drop: Bazooka Rock-ed 2013
Pulp Live World's Bazooka Rocks 2013 might
have to be one, if not the best gigs that I have ever attended this year. It is
this fifteen hours of pure rock and roll madness which has showcased some of
the best bands that is out there in the past few years. I knew my hearing is
going to suffer for days but it is all worth it.
The thing is, I have never been into a
music festival before this one. Sure, I have attended some battle of the bands
way back in college but this is different. I must admit that I am not an avid
fan of any of the bands in the lineup and I am not even aware (shame) that some
of these bands even exist. But you only live once so try new stuff every now
and then, some would say. I want to get that one off my bucket list as well so
off to buy a ticket (as early as July) I went.
I also learned later on that this is going
to be A Rocket to the Moon's "last and final" show in Manila (the
band is soon breaking up.) and I guess it would be epic to see them perform for
the first and last time since I knew some of their songs and it will be fun to
jam with them on that very special night. As for the other bands:
1) All Time Low is also one to watch out
for because of their crazy antics onstage.
2) Anberlin because they are ANBERLIN, for
crying out loud.
3) Red Jumpsuit Apparatus because they
basically happened to be there during the forming high school days. This is
going to be very nostalgic.
4) RadioDriveBy's Desiree. That is all.
5) We Came As Romans is a metal band, or so
I have read on my cousin's Pulp magazine.
Generally I am stoked and the day finally
came and apparently I am not the only one for the line is unbelievably long
even in the early hours of the day. Wild. Fangirls and boys of varying levels.
Wildly -coloured haird, muscle tees, band merch here and there. And we have not even
gotten inside the venue yet. The progression of the line is stupidly slow that
three local bands were already down and we were still waiting outside. Reaching
the front line I figured it was because they are making every single person
sign up a waiver, one for the "kids" and the other for the
"adults" who would be given free beer stubs. Security purposes, yes?
Somehow, I appreciated the fact that they really make it a point to make
everyone safe once they were all inside.
"Five...four...three..two..one!!!"
the crowd shrieking way too loud at the countdown. We got in, running, just in
time for RadioDriveBy's first song (apparently we already missed all the local
bands in the lineup). I admittedly am not aware of them prior to the show
although, through my friend Caren's constant reminder I get to listen to some
and surprisingly liked it. I even asked Trent Clark, the lead vocals personally
(on their meet and greet the day before) to sing my favourite song, Desiree. He
was hesitant at first but said that he will try "and if ever we would,
it'll be for you", and I counted on that promise. Much to my pleasure, I
heard a very familiar tune next and the last thing I know, it's Desiree. I was
so happy I hugged my friend really tight. He is a man of words! (I don't care
if he's said that to all of those fans who has requested it but it was a very
special moment to me) They are also, surprisingly flawless when performing
live. They even did a cover of Bruno Mars' Treasure. Man, he really is a great
singer. They kept the crowd alive for most of their performances and kept us
wanting for more. What a way to start the afternoon/night.
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| Adam, Trent and Evan partying it all up on stage. |
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| Trent making his way to the hearts of many as he belted n "Sunday". |
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| Why so serious, Dave? |
Up next is this Japanese screamo rock band
called Uchusentai Noiz. They were....wild. I did enjoy their version of Narda,
though.
Tonight Alive came up next and I just got
to say I like how humble and simple Jenna McDougall is. She need not do any
crazy acts or dress provocatively upstage. She would just do her thing up in
there and the musicality will speak by itself. It is my first time to hear any
of their songs and yes, I also enjoyed their set.
Then came the biggest surprise of the
night: We Came As Romans. It maybe unusual for a girl to like death metal and
grunge but I like it. I do not know a single song from them but what a show!
They really know how to keep the crowd going! Andy Glass, the bassist may also
have captured most of the hearts of girls in there because apart from the
talent and flashy bass playing movements, he is gorge. It doesn't hurt that
Kyle Pavone and David Stephens (the lead clean and unclean vocals) are both
goodlooking and talented as well. It may also be like commiting suicide but we
were actually in the middle of the nocous mosh pit, jumping up and down,
moshing hard (having the circle pit right behind us) and we could not care
anymore. The crowd even went crazy when they did a cover of The Wanted's Glad
You Came. If I'm not too pumped up with ARTTM's final show in Manila I'd say
this is the highlight of the event at that moment. Just too much energy!!
Intense!!
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| Kyle, I have no words. |
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| The amazing David Stephens. |
Okay. So I am looking forward to seeing The
Red Jumpsuit Apparatus for the first time that they were actually one of the
deciding factors for this event. This is one of the bands that was with me
(through their music) during my forming years, high school that is. I could not
blame them if the "kids" can't understand our hype about this band
(because they're eager to see All Time Low slash the younger bands) but man,
who doesn't love "Your Guardian Angel" back then? It made me feel so
old at 22. Ha ha. I even cried during the heartfelt performance of the song.
Also, "Face Down". So many feels and memories. I miss high school.
Hashtag throwback.
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| Very fitting, Ronnie. |
Anberlin, Anberlin, they were music
legends. Got to also admire the fact that they were so down-to-earth despite
all their success. I was lucky to get to meet them before the day of the show,
too. Stephen Christian is such a charmer and the way they perform, it's
impeccably good. They didn't get to sing my favourite Anberlin song "Inevitable"
but who cares? They were amazing. That is all I know.
All Time freaking Low. Got to love the hype
and the show they were putting up. The bra drop is a funny experience. The
flying lit up skulls that Jack Barakat has thrown (or whoever, I can't remember because
one skull hit me straight on the face), the falling black balloons, the smog
and the lighting effects, Alex's voice during "Therapy"...everything
is perfect. I can't remember all the songs but it was a decently long set. Alex
kept on commenting on how awesome (melodic)
the crowd is as we all sing along. Jack has some naughty banters that
were not "kids"-friendly but he is a goofball and what a sight
onstage. My favourite jam, though, has to be Somewhere in Neverland. It is just
very special to me.
Don't even get me started with the main
band of the night, A Rocket to the Moon. I knew most of the songs that they
have played and thoroughly enjoyed the well-chosen songs on their set. I feel
so special that they chose Manila as one of the places that is included on
their final tour, and glad because seeing the smile on Nick Santino, Eric
Halvorsen and the rest of the guys' faces I am pretty sure that they are also
having the time of their lives. They humbly admitted that they were not used to
being the last band to perform (aw my heart) and it was overwhelming how loved
the band was in here. Dakota, Baby Blue Eyes (mashed up to Taylor Swift's 22),
Anabelle and Ever Enough might have to be my favourite performances of the set.
Hands down favourite part was the funny exchange of banters between Nick and
Halvo all throughout the performances. Nick has shared "something" to
the crowd and I'm holding on to his words that someday.....just someday. I
can't wait for that someday to come. The smile on their faces as the show came
to an end summed up the 15 hours of fun-filled day that is one for the books
and worth all the hard-earned bucks.
Bazooka Rocks indeed rocked this year I
wonder how they are going to top this next year. But for now, let this PCD stay
for the longest while.
** Credits to Caren Gudiaga for most of the
photos
Oh God!!!!!!! This night was perfect!!!!!! Yknow what I mean, mate! We've been talking about this stuff for almost a week now hahahahaha! PCD it is!- Caren Pavone <3
ReplyDeleteMedyo natawa ako sa part na I'm constantly reminding you to listen to their songs =)))))WELL. lol. I'm glad you liked their music and "our" boys :)))C.Pavone <3
ReplyDeleteOh my flipping heck, Pavone now? hahahaha
ReplyDeleteYES! It still feels like yesterday "trading tomorrows for just one yesterday" lang ang peg
ReplyDelete