The Time Has Come: ONE OK ROCK "35xxxv" Asia Tour (Manila)
The Beginning.
You could blame it on my love for Rurouni Kenshin and Japan (in general) that it has made me check this band out when I have heard of the live action film's official soundtrack. Coincidentally, it was the "beginning" and I am instantly hooked. Five music videos (on Youtube) and a couple of songs on loop later, I am officially head over heels. They were the second Japanese group that I came to like (with Arashi being the first and only one for quite a time, and from a completely different genre, too as Arashi is a pop boyband and well, One OK Rock is a rock alternative band) and I never looked back since then.
The Anticipation.
Ever since I got introduced to their music, I have dreamt of getting to see them perform live. It also did not help my poor heart that Pulp Live World (one of the best prods in the country, really) has been bringing a couple of Japanese acts in the past few years. Uchusentai Noiz was a part of Bazooka Rocks 2 (2013) and Coldrain has graced the Philippine stage for the first time in 2014 for Bazooka Rocks 3 and there's Crossfaith for the annual Summer Slam. When will it be One OK Rock's time? Will they be a part of another music festival or be on their own? I was lowkey wishing for the latter; a full headlining gig. They have been successfully touring in the States and the UK with acts like All Time Low, We Came As Romans, Sleeping With Sirens, Issues and Against The Current to name a few, anyway. They are good. No, they are great. They have sold out most, if not all of the venues that they have played on and they have been a part of the Warped Tour, too.
Although to be honest, I could not care less. I just want them to come here.
Imagine my joy when it was announced that Manila is (finally) included on their Asian Tour for 2016. We (thankfully) managed to grab a VIP ticket on the first day of selling because we are THAT excited! And now THE day has finally come.
January 19th, 2016. YAY YAY!
"FINALLY WE MADE IT!!! Philippine(s)!!!" Taka screams.
We've waited long enough and it is all worth it, love.
The Rules.
Amuse, Inc Asia has posted two rules on their Facebook for the success of the show and to the organizer's request (I guess?) as these are mostly being implemented on most of OOR's shows:
1. Light sticks of any kind are not allowed (to further enjoy the light shows throughout the show)
2. Audio/Video recording/taking of photos while the show is on-going is prohibited.
APPARENTLY No.2 is probably the hardest as we Filipinos love to share stuff on social media and the light stick thing... well, guess who can't help but light up and wave their phones up during Heartache and Wherever You Are? It is such an aesthetic and the band cannot help but be pleased as well, seeing the sea of lights inside the arena.
I commend those who's resisted the temptation especially for Rule No. 2 , though. (Because YAY, I did not take videos although I am really tempted to, at least not during the show as I focused on the moment instead of just capturing it; dancing, singing our hearts out, headbanging, clapping, maximizing the VIP pit and enjoying every single minute to the fullest.)
The Loudest Crowd.
They know how to work a crowd. They are built for arena and stadiums (they are that great!) and they always give it their best.
I remembered the acoustic Heartache performance at the Yokohama Stadium where there are no unnecessary screams, no phones being held up during the whole performance, just clapping towards the end of the song. It is so beautiful and you could clearly hear Taka's enchanting voice.
What we lacked in discipline (s'the truth, eh?), though, we made up with the energy and the mastery of every lines of the songs. That is in addition to us being melodic, singing along even with the Japanese lines for as loud as we can. Taka, Ryota, Toru and Tomoya's smiling, impressed faces are priceless. If all the "I love you guys so much!" in between songs aren't much of a proof of how much they have appreciated the crowd then I don't know anymore.
They know how to work a crowd. They are built for arena and stadiums (they are that great!) and they always give it their best.
If there's one down side that I can pinpoint from the solid set that they had is that they sang the English versions of most of the songs from 35xxxv. Not that it's a bad thing but I loved the record and the songs are more appealing to me with bits of Nihonggo here and there. Anyway, that did not stop the energetic crowd from singing along... and enjoying every bits of it.
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The Setlist.
Major Instagram Lovin'.
They LOVED the Manila crowd so much, as apparent on the Instagram flood after the show.
(Take note of the captions from these lovely boys.)
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The Promise.
The band is brilliant as expected, the stage presence is to a T, the crowd is lit and what an experience to watch with every scream, every lines sung reverberating inside the arena and you just get lost in its beauty and all the fun that goes with it. We've met a couple of new people on queue (two of whom came all the way from Bacolod City and it was also their first time to watch a concert and it's a concert of their most loved band, how cool is that, eh?), talked and chit chatted with old acquaintances. Basically, we enjoyed every minute of the night.
The mandatory stage band selfie is taken. The Instavideo with the thank you flag is captured. The epic final bow is given. The first ever show in Manila is so overwhelming that they even promised to come back.
"See you next time!" Taka screams endearingly.
Tomo ended the night saying "Mahal kita! (Maharukita!)"
We love you, too, Tomo tomato. We love you, One OK Rock. Mata ne!!! (See you). Til then. ~
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| Here's to more Freda and Georgia adventures! One of my best mates, Maco is a huge fan of the band as well and it is technically our first time to watch a concert together. We both were panting just two songs down (from singing and dancing and headbanging) and she's almost close to fainting come the fourth song but we certainly had the time of our lives. |
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One OK Rock is a Japanese rock band formed in 2005 composed of Takahiro Moriuchi (vocals), Ryota Kohama (bass guitar), Toru Yamashita (lead guitar) and Tomoya Kanki (drums). 35xxxv Asia Tour Live in Manila is presented by Pulp Live World.
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April x
I got teary-eyed in the middle of reading this. You had me realize what I missed. Huhu!
ReplyDeleteAnyway, this is such a well-constructed post, Hermy! I pretty much enjoyed reading everything (although it caused me some heartaches at the same time) :D
xoxo
Hahaha. Thanks, Gin. I really wished you were there to experience it with me. But yeah, I know it'll be worth it when you get to finally see them when they come back ;)
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