Don't Worry, Be Happy - Before You Exit in Manila 2017

19:20:00 APRILSKELTER 0 Comments

Before You Exit may have previously performed plenty of times here in Manila already but there is always going to be that one that will be more special than the other and this leg of the Asian tour may be it for me. Probably because I am totally digging the songs from their latest EP, All The Lights and I am buzzing to hear them perform its entirety live. Also, because I was able to "meet" and greet (and hug and talk albeit quite short) them. It was definitely an awesome time.

After a week of extreme PCD-ing (despite the ruckus that is day job / life), let us relive the awesome night, shall we?

Opening the solo show with all the lights (mind the pun) and the single When I'm Gone, the crowd just went crazy (we sure did) welcoming the three brothers with cheers and fangirl screams.

HELLO PHILIPPINES. Good to be home 😊😊
— Before You Exit⇞ (@beforeyouexit) February 22, 2017

Connor, Riley and Toby are finally back home.

One of my favourite things about attending certain concerts and/or music festival is meeting the Other Kids. Got to love spending time catching up with the old but gold friends and creating memories with the new ones. We share a bond, a commonality despite the differences and that is what making it extra special. Love for music unites people of difference races, beliefs, gender and ages.

They proceeded to belt out the good ol' ones: Dangerous, Settle For Less, and a snippet of Three Perfect Days and I kind of wished for them to sing End of the World and would have volunteered to do the rap part (just kidding) if it means getting to hear them sing it but no such luck. ANYWAY. The old hits are immediately followed by Radiate which is my favourite song from the EP (though it's tough to even actually choose just one) and oh, the joy. They performed Ed Sheeran's Thinking Out Loud as well, the first cover song of the night.

Why Kuya Connor (kuya?) is emotional during Soldier that he was not able to sing his solo is beyond me. But looking at how many lives have been inspired by the message that Soldier is conveying, I figured I should not be surprised at all.

Does @connormcdonough always tear up during Soldier? It's okay, kuya. We got your back :) @mikopotatoo @itsarpee @mmilive #whenpcdstrikes #beforeyouexit #mcdonoughbrothers

A post shared by April Ann (@aprilskelter) on Feb 28, 2017 at 6:09pm PST

Taking a short break in transition to the slower, emotionally-charged part of the show, they opted to play an audio of Clouds instead of performing it and I can see why. It has been months since they have lost a friend in Christina Grimmie and it will take sometime to recover from that. Clouds is a thing of beauty and it makes you kind of tear up and feel so much longing and pain from the unfortunate incident leading to her death. But there is this hope that one day (it will happen but not so soon, alright) that we will all meet up in the clouds.

No one I knew stood

Half as bright as you

But now you shine on

The perfect avenue

And the light that you left it helps me to see

A way through all the bitterness

A way to who I really want to be

Oh, light up the streets, oh

Please just tell me you're alright

Are you way up in the sky

Laughing, smiling, looking down

Saying "one day we'll meet in the clouds"

Up in the clouds.

Suitcase came in next and yes, take us all in your suitcases, boys! The single is well-loved.

I Won't Stop is when they got me all #shookt, making us dance up and down and just appreciate pure talent. I particularly loved Riley's banter reminding the crowd that if ever there are people who are telling them that they can't do (and achieve) something, don't believe them because you can, and you should not stop (living and chasing your dreams).

They kept the tempo up with another cover song and this time it's Don't Wanna Know by Maroon 5.

A post shared by April Ann (@aprilskelter) on Mar 3, 2017 at 3:54am PST

If anyone needs to be reminded of why Wiley the Wabbit is my favourite among the three (I adore you, too, Connor and Toby but...riiight?), here you go. Also, Connor playing instruments is always a treat as he is a perfectionist (I think) and very talented (I am probably overusing the word in this post but, really).

That moment when @connormcdonough "won't stop" & got us all #SHOOKT #BYEinManila2017 #whenPCDstrikes @Manilaconcerts pic.twitter.com/n35h508VYO
— April Ann (@AprilDeGuzman) February 24, 2017

Seeing them made me feel five years younger!

Capping off the memorable night, they sang I Like That and Model.

I have only ever filed a half day work leave for three acts: David Cook (for his CD signing), One OK Rock's concert just last year and this year, BYE and all of them are worth it. We all needed that break sometimes.

Team Tameme. Of course, took that chance to be pictured beside my favourite McDonough boy. ;)

I look forward to their full album hopefully to be released in the next couple of months. Everything looks promising especially since they are signed with RCA and with the talent, the passion and hardwork (the perfect combination), it's just the start of the greater things that are ahead. It's nice to somehow be a part of the process of them finding their own sound, maturing as puberty hits them like a truck and as they grow and aim to be the best and come up with the best that they can offer to the loving supporters every single time.

Highlights of the night in photos.

If all else fails, though, Manila will always welcome you home, boys.

And with that, our Asia 2017 tour sadly comes to an end. We love you all and can't wait to come back ❤️ pic.twitter.com/oYi7KeCNZ5
— Before You Exit⇞ (@beforeyouexit) March 4, 2017

'Til you come back home.

PS: Oh, and friends, if you miss them you could always just...