Incubus, live in Manila

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Incubus was back in Manila on July 28 for its "If Not Now, When?" concert tour. I watched it with friends from work. When we arrived at the Araneta Centre after a three-hour drive, one real problem dawned at me: where to park? The lots around the venue were already full. A helpful traffic enforcer directed me to the SM Cubao carpark. A few minutes later, we were walking to the concert venue. When we got into the  Araneta Coliseum, the place was packed to the rafters! I learned later that this concert was sold-out.

We were just walking up the stairs when the houselights were switched off, signaling the beginning of the concert. The front act, a band called Franco, performed for about an hour. As usual, I had no idea who this band's members were, just like when Craig David was beside me at an ATM in Glorietta 5 and I didn't recognize him. While the band performed, I realized that I was one of a few that didn't know the band because the rest of the audience were singing with the vocalist!

After Franco's set, the houselights were lit, the bouncers and the security guards helped people stuck by the stairs to go further up, to the top of the upper box. As the crowd traffic situation was being managed, the stage was set up for the main concert. 

A few minutes later, the lights dimmed, the crowd roared in excitement, and then the band came out. The  Incubus concert officially began.

Incubus performs to a jam-packed Araneta Coliseum. Photo was taken at
at the top tier of Upper Box B.

The band, particularly the lead vocalist Brandon Boyd, demonstrated what showmanship means as he captivated more than 8000 people in the audience. For two hours, all eyes were mainly on him (or on the giant screen, for the benefit of the audience in the rafters). I was amazed by the sound of a big audience singing in unison with Boyd as the band performed hit after hit after hit. 

Before I knew it, Incubus had performed about 20 songs. The band ended the Manila leg of its tour singing "Good bye, nice to know you...".

Comments

  1. Teuvo VehkalahtiAugust 14, 2011 at 5:20 AM

    Greetings from Finland. This, through a blog is a great get to know other countries and their people, nature and culture. Come take a look Teuvo images and blog to tell all your friends that your country flag will stand up to my collection of flag higher. Sincerely, Teuvo Vehkalahti Finland

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