PERIPHERY LIVE IN MANILA

SM Skydome, February 06, 2014.

8PM

With all the 7107 IMF hype, I didn't get to check other upcoming events on the interwebs until my friend Shereen told me that Periphery will be in Manila again, to promote their latest record Clear.

I didn't actually listen to metal/progressive rock or anything similar to that until I met Mark Holcomb and the super awesome guys of Darkest Hour in 2012. We hung out and had a great time, so when I got home I rushed to check them on iTunes. I started listening for a bit to see how they sound like, and I said, pretty tolerable. But these guys are so nice and cool so I had to listen to them over and over again until I became familiar with their music. Months passed by and I hadn’t heard anything new from them although I follow them on all their social media accounts.

Two of my friends and I went to their show, and of course, we were at the front row. We were there to support Mark and his band. There were other hundreds of kids raging and enjoying the first solo show of Periphery in Manila.  It was also our first time to see them play live! When they got up on stage, we shouted Mark's name and he glanced in our direction instantly. It's as if he knew we would be watching! We were at the front left facing the stage and Mark was on the right side, he would occasionally wave at us and shift side with Nolly to play bromance with Misha. They were really hilarious. Spencer definitely owned it through his very powerful voice. Matt looked (considering his size among the five of them) so gigantic for his drumkit though, from what I remember, he didn't have tom-toms.

Although the venue was nice and intimate, the production wasn't fancy. I kept complaining about the stage setup. No backdrop, there were not enough lights and I think they were poorly installed. Too bright on the center and too dark at the front. Not a very good combination for a rock show. No local band opened for them, too. But despite that, the band did great. They enjoyed every single bit of the moment while everyone was having a good time.

After they played their last song, Mark got the down the stage to give high fives to everyone at the front row, but when he passed by us, we were surprised he stopped to say hi, hug us and tell us he's glad to see us again. And we're like- "Mark remembers us!" What's more surprising about this band is that the whole crew consists only about a handful. Each of them helped uninstall and pack their equipment after the performance. I was amazed because I've never seen anything like that before.  They took the time to chat with fans while they were cleaning up the stage. It was very humbling and cool. 

We waited in a corner and saw Jeff Holcomb while some people got their pictures taken and their cds signed.  When we realized it was taking forever for these kids to pull away from Mark, we decided to walk up to him to say goodbye. We ended up chatting for a little bit. He must be super psyched to see us again, got a lot of hugs. I brought up the picture on my blog which he asked nicely (a year ago) to take down because it was all over Google Images, so I asked for a replacement. After fixing himself up like a party girl and got everyone's approval, he posed for the camera and this is what we have agreed on: 

Mark Holcomb and his pretty goofy self

As always, I managed to take some nice (at least not very blurry and out of focused although some are grainy) photos with my phone and my ever reliable point and shoot SX200 IS (Canon) camera while having fun. Here are some photos from FOH view:

Spencer Sotelo, Matt Halpern and Nolly Getgood of Peripehery, Manila 2014

Spencer Sotelo

Add caption

Spencer Sotelo

Mark Holcomb of Periphery, Manila 2014

Nolly Getgood of Periphery, Manila 2014

Mark and Misha, Manila 2014

Matt Halpern of Periphery, Manila 2014

Bromance on stage. Misha Mansoor and Mark Holcomb of Periphery, Manila 2014

Misha Mansoor of Periphery, Manila 2014

Mark Holcomb

Mark Holcomb before the pictorial. Lol

Yay, my friend Karlo sneaked a video while we're chatting with Mark.

PULP SUMMER SLAM XIII: 'Til Death Do Us Part

Date: April 27, 2013

Time: 8ish

Venue: Amoranto Sports Complex

Pulp Summer Slam is an annual music festival in the Philippines which is founded and produced by Pulp Live World Productions, Inc. The festival consists of local and international rock and metal bands with the occasional line-up of hip hop, ska, reggae, pop rock, and other genres. The event is held every year during the summer in Manila and around 30,000 fans show up for the event (Wikipedia).

I’ve always wanted to go to the “Slam” since it started in 2001, however, my guy friends would always discourage me because of the dangerous crowd that would always go crazy the whole time. It’s a metal fest and they would like me to expect that this is way crazier, wilder and fiercer than any other rock shows I’ve been to. I was not actually a huge fan of Metal Rock music so it wasn’t a big deal to me. I guess, I just wanted to get the feel of it.

Last April 27^th was my first time at the Pulp Summer Slam. And I would like to commend myself and my friend for braving the raging crowd and surviving the slam without any guy friend tagged along! We went to the show only to see Circa Survive and Coheed and Cambria so we got there a little bit late. Well, we missed Circa Survive but it was ok because we only knew a couple of songs. I only wanted to see Anthony Green anyway, because he’s been blowing up my Instagram feed with photos of his adorable babies lately.

My jaw dropped the moment we got in. It was real, it was wild, deafening and full of energy! We squeezed in our way little by little until we got to the closest we could get  just in time for the last band to finish their last song. People around us were drunk and high, throwing plastic water bottles in the air and onto the stage getting impatient for Coheed. When Coheed started off with “Your Eyes tell the story”, people got even louder and wilder pushing and pulling me off my spot. I had to admit, I got scared because during the entire song, I tried to fight for my spot but I only got elbowed, smashed, squeezed and stomped.

After three full minutes of fighting with the moshing people, I gave up and searched for a safer spot. There, I screamed and danced while Coheed played their songs from The Second Stage Turbine Blade to The Afterman: Descension. It was a full set! My most favorite part was the encore, they played Welcome Home. Claudio finally got closer to the edge of the stage to thank the crowd (still playing) and there were fireworks and stuff and everything went colorful then slowly faded to black.

Here are some photos I took using my iPhone. Didn't bring a camera for security purposes.

NKOTBSB in Manila

The Backstreet Boys Live in Manila 2012

June 3, 2012, SM Arena -Most people would see me as a Rock music junkie, but believe it or not, I’m secretly still a huge fan of the 90’s boybands, most specially the Backstreet Boys! Before I evolved into an awesome rocker chick,  I was one of those crazy little girls collecting pinups from teen/songmags, fighting over which boyband is the biggest,  dancing and singing while favorite hits on the radio were playing or practically playing cassette tapes until they get busted,  or doing homework while glued to MTV Nonstop Hits. When I got the chance to see the Backstreet Boys last 2010, I let it passed thinking I have outgrown them. After realizing  what I had missed, I felt remorseful! It was one of my biggest childhood dreams to meet and see the Boys. My life basically revolved around them, how could I let the chance slipped away?

Howie Dorough, NKOTBSB in Manila 2012

When Howie D. announced the NKOTBSB Tour on his Twitter, I never expected it would include Asia, but I tweeted him back anyway. Wishful thinking.  With lots of foreign acts visiting the country lately, I can hardly choose which ones I’m going to see so I scanned Manila Concert Scene’s website to help me decide. And, BOOM, NKOTBSB in Manila! I skipped a couple of shows in May just to save up for this one night concert.


Due to miscommunication with the tickets we have preordered, we got in late at the SM Arena. NKOTB and BSB were already performing the opening song. A couple of my friends and I got Lower Box SRO passes and another one got an All Access ID. I borrowed her ID and tried to get to the VIP section to take closer shots. I was able to get to the front, but when Nick Carter went down the stage, he created a mob of Mrs. Carter wannabes so the security went all outraged and aggressive. This chinky guy, who, I know for sure is one of the BSB’s bodyguards harassed me while yelling, “where’s your ticket?!... get the fuck outta here! I don’t care about your ID, you don’t have a ticket! Buhbye!” I felt sorry for myself, never in my life have I experienced a stranger bullied me like that. I wasn't even staring at Nick! I was so helpless, it nearly ruined my night so I decided to go back to my friends.

New Kids On The Block, NKOTBSB in Manila 2012

Anyway, when I regained composure, it was NKOTB who were performing. The set was in an alternate performance of the BSB and NKOTB and I haven’t experienced the latter’s music yet so I got myself busy taking pictures and videos because I barely know the songs. I mean, they were big in the 80s and only rose to fame here in the Philippines in early 90s and I was just a toddler then. But Joey McIntyre and Jordan Knight can still reach those high flying notes. They were full of energy and still captured every girl's heart from the audience. 

Brian Littrell, NKOTBSB in Manila 2012

When I finally saw the BSB onstage, I nearly teared up. That was the moment I have been waiting since I was 9 years old. My heart skipped a beat, I needed to internalize what I was seeing. They played most songs from their first three albums and my little heart couldn't contain the happiness. I've gone crazy, it was like grade school/high school all over again. I sang my heart out until I choked out, it was a great feeling. When they played 10,000 Promises, I felt like my hair raised like there was a strong magnetic field around me and I started crying! That song is full of emotion, and it's one of my most favorite songs. After the song, I saw Brian wiped something out of his eyes. I could tell he got carried away and teared up, too.  

The NKOTBSB Tour last stop was Manila, so I'm guessing they made everything possible to produce it world class. The lights, laser effects, fireworks and confetti were incredible, the stage was well executed and the crowd was full of energy the whole time. It was like the highlight of the whole tour which started around early last year. The Kids and the Boys are already in their 30's and early 40s but it was so surprising they can still do their signature dance moves! For some, it was weird watching them dance like they used to do when they were younger, but for me, heck yeah! All hail the Kings of Boybands! Also, during the show, they kept telling the crowd how they're making it really special because the tour is ending. They thanked each other for making it possible, sticking together like the old times and expressed how they'll gonna miss each other. I felt proud I got to attend this show. The first and the last are always the ones most remembered. 

After they said their thanks and goodbyes, Howie D, chanted "NKOTBSB, NKOTBSB, NKOTBSB, NKOTBSB, NKOTBSB..." and everyone followed until the stage faded to black.

"NKOTBSB, NKOTBSB, NKTOBSB"!, NKOTBSB in Manila 2012

NKOTBSB - The End, signing off.

Here are some of the photos I took during the show. If you like to see more, then visit this page. All photos were taken by me, should you wish to copy them, please do not alter the copyright watermark. Thank you.

NKOTBSB in Manila 2012

Brian Littrell, Howie Dorough, AJ McLean and Nick Carter, NKOTBSB in Manila 2012

Nick Carter and Howie Dorough, NKOTBSB in Manila 2012

Nick Carter and Howie Dorough, NKOTBSB in Manila 2012

Nick Carter, NKOTBSB in Manila 2012

BSB, NKOTBSB in Manila 2012

Donnie Wahlberg, NKOTBSB in Manila 2012

Joey McIntyre, NKOTBSB in Manila 2012

NKTOBSB waving goodbye. NKOTBSB in Manila 2012

Howie Dorough, so sweet o stop by and say goodbye to fans before leaving the hotel. Manila, 2012

But of course, another fangirl success story. With Howie Dorough, Manila 2012

with Jonothan Knight, NKOTBSB in Manila 2012

Vertical Horizon and Ed Kowalczyk (of Live) in Manila

Hey whaddup? It’s been a month since  I last blogged about my rockshow adventures and shenanigans. I know, it is becoming a habit for me to let a month or two passed by before I write about the epic rockshow I’ve been to. I’m sorry, I’ll try my best to not do it again. This is long overdue, passé. So, let’s get it on!

I must say, April 28, 2012 was a very awesome day for me. How can I not forget it? It’s my mom’s birthday! Plus it was Vertical Horizon and Ed Kowalczyk show all in one night. I couldn't contain the amazing things that happened that day. First I won two VIP tickets to their show and after that, I got to hang out with DH and Periphery.

So I brought my brother with me to the show to celebrate mom’s birthday (who, for sure, was having the grandest birthday party in heaven). We had a real good time! It was again, felt like I was reliving the night Incubus played here in Manila. I was on the same spot – front row, against the barricade. 

Matt Scannell of Vertical Horizon, Manila 2012

Matt Scannell is such a nice guy. You could tell the genuine smile and every praise he expressed. He loves adobi. Haha. No, it’s Adobo, but he kept saying adobi which was so cute. I could tell how he was amazed by the Filipino crowd. It was like everybody knew the lyrics to all the songs they were playing. 

I’m not much of a fan of Live, but I like them. I couldn't believe I was seeing the very handsome Ed Kowalczyk guy I always saw on MTV (Lightning Crashes) as a kid. He has changed a lot! Well, probably because he got older, but it was still the same voice I used to hear.  He was able to recreate the same exact vocals and rendition of his old songs from his old band. He was full of oomph throughout the show though the crowd’s energy level would rise and fall depending on the song that was playing.

Anyways, I managed to take good photos while enjoying the show. Check them out!

Matt Scannell, Vertical Horizon. Manila 2012

Vertical Horizon, Manila 2012

Vertical Horizon, Manila 2012

Matt Scannell, Vertical Horizon. Manila 2012

Matt Scannell, Vertical Horizon. Manila 2012

Matt Scannell, Vertical Horizon. Manila 2012

Matt Scannell, Vertical Horizon. Manila 2012

Matt Scannell, Vertical Horizon. Manila 2012

Ed Kowalczyk and friends

I know the watermark is so annoying. Sorry! All photos were taken by a point and shoot camera (Canon SX200IS with manual settings).
More photos on my Facebook account. Check them out HERE!