Events
Fan Account
Japan
Reviews
The ONE OK ROCK 35XXXV ASIA Tour in Manila 2016
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
It's been a week. But the hangover is still there...
For a country dominated by Korean pop culture, inviting a huge Japanese band was never easy. I remember a conversation from a fellow JPop fangirl, that some agencies are not that convinced with our market to hold a concert or fan event in the Philippines. Hence, it will be too risky for them to have such investment.
But who would have thought that after numerous attempts and countless
petitions of fans and supporters, our dream will finally come true.
ONE OK ROCK, a Japanese rock band consist of by vocalist / frontman
Takahiro "Taka" Moriuchi, drummer Tomoya Kanki, guitarist Toru
Yamashita and bassist Ryota Kohama, at long last held their first ever concert
here in Manila last Janury 19, as part of their 35xxxv Asia Tour.
THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM
Patience - that's what all we have. Kamisama knows how badly we wished
that the 4-member group hailing from the Land of the Rising Sun, to visit the
country. We tried to be contented in watching videos of ONE OK ROCK's concerts
via Youtube and other video streaming sites. But it was not enough. We want to
see them perform live. And with the petition along the way, the waiting game
started.
A major announcement from Amuse Asia Inc last August 31, 2015 granted
our wish as Philippines were included in their 35xxxv Asia Tour. YOSHA!!! I
immediately filed a leave even when the concert is still months away. I was
also surprised that the ticket prices were not as pricey as I expected when it
was posted by Pulp Live World. But I decided on getting the cheapest seat. If
I'm not to wed this year, I would have purchased a royalty ticket for the meet
and greet chance. Anyway, what's important is that I will see and hear them
perform live.
 |
| I'll risk everything if it's for you! |
Fast-forward to January 19, D-day came. I can feel all the excitement from the
Filipino OOR fans and other Japanese music enthusiasts. I was too early in the
venue because I’m watching the concert alone. As I killed time in Starbucks, I
saw familiar faces that I often see in JPop conventions or anime/otaku events. Nice! I feel glad that not only ‘rakista’ are
out to see the gigs but also JPop fangirls/fanboys and otakus.
 |
| I'm ready!!! |
 |
| View from my seat. Not bad, ne? |
It's already past six in the evening. Compared to the previous Korean concerts I've attended, this tour had lesser attendees. Well at least, fans are not as wild as the other fandoms. As always, I did not go in queue as I presented my medical records to the guard so they let me in.
The concert attendees started to double as 8PM approaches. The mosh pit has also piled up that a VIP ticket holder was rushed outside by medics. I guess it was suffocation. I just hope that kid was able to still watch the concert.
LIGHTS OFF!
Eight o’clock came but the shadows of the quartet were yet to be seen. We are all excited. But when the lights faded, the crowd started roaring. As Taka, Tomoya, Toru and Ryota went on stage, the fans could not stop screaming.
Everyone was so hyped and thrilled with every guitar strums from the guitarists, drum hits from Tomoya and the exceptional and powerful vocals of Taka. It was crazy! I can't even stop myself from head-banging and shouting the lyrics to every song.
 |
| That moment when dreams turn into reality. |
 |
| So close and yet so far. |
 |
| Closer with Toru, Taka and Ryota. Ugh! Lucky VIP fans! |
From time to time, I took videos of photos from the event. Sumimasen. I just broke the rule. But I promised not to post my HD videos in ANY site. It will just be a keep-sake for a lady whose memory is deteriorating. And besides, with all the screaming and head banging, I hardly took any stable video.
(By the way, a guy at my back kept ranting on those fans who are taking videos. If I remember it right, he kept complaining until half of the setlist. Was he able to enjoy the concert? I guess not! Hahahaha)
I love the effects from the concert. It kept me blinded for a couple of times that I had to look down to be free from the light. Hahaha. It would have been better as well if there were huge LED television, in order for those seated at the farthest section, to have a glimpse o the boys’ faces.
 |
| Awesome light effects. One of my favorite shot from my point and shoot camera. |
35XXXV TOUR IMPRESSIONS
To be candid, I’m not a hardcore One OK Rock fan. I’m just a loyal follower of Japanese music. But I consider 35xxxv tour as the best gig I’ve been to. Even better than my KPop bias’ concert last 2012. I could not contain all my feels as soon as Taka held his microphone and Tomoya, Ryota and Toru grabbed their instruments. I can't help but scream, jump, and smile and get teary-eyed at the same time. I was also head-banging while singing along with the crowd. They played for two hours but we still want more. Their act was utterly amazing. Not to mention Taka’s incredible voice hitting every note flawlessly and Tomoya, Toru and Ryota’s blazing guitars and drum skills.
Here are the gig highlights from last Tuesday’s show:
- Taka is a genius. His voice is infectious even his screamo sounds sweet to my ears. Every note is perfect. It’s as if I’m listening to a studio recording. If I’m his parents, I will be very proud of him.
 |
| Taka Bae! |
- Toru is an absolute eye candy. But he looks more appealing when he ‘makes love’ with his guitar.
- Topless Ryota is as cool as ever. How was he able to play that bass guitar while having fun?
- And lastly, Tomoya. He poured his heart out with every beat on his drum set. Although I’m seated at the lowerbox section, I can see all his emotions.
 |
| Ryota and Tomoya casually playing with their 'thing'. |
- I’ve expected that the crowd will sing along with Taka to every piece of their hits. Be it in English or Nihongo, we can sing it perfectly. What staggered me was, as I was listening to the audience, I felt touched and proud. This is something I haven’t felt from the previous concerts I’ve attended. It was really heart-felt.
- Goosebumps moments:
1. During Clock Strikes’ bridge (that Woahhh oahh oahh oahh part) and as the audience sang the line “Believe that time is always forever”. *cries
2. That part when everyone yelled ‘Shout it out now! Shout it out now!’ for Cry Out.
3. I always loved this line from Decision (We’ll never be as young as we are now). So when the crowd sang in sync, I got teary-eyed.
4. When Taka let us sang a part of Wherever You Are was also one of the highlights. He even clenched his fist on his chest while we are wholeheartedly chanting the song. Aww!
- Fans suddenly turned on their flashlights on their phone during Heartache. (was this part of a mission or what?)
- Failed Wall of Death request from Taka. Hardcore fans were struck with the disappointment after the frontman asked the fans to do WOD. I guess Pinoy fans are not yet ready with this. But I guess when OOR comes back, we'll be more than ready.
 |
| "Push back! Push back! Taka yelled. But mainstream fans kept taking photos and video. |
- TAKA: You guys are beautiful! / TOMOYA: Mahal Kita! *and we died
- I saw the setlist beforehand, and I know that they’re coming back for an encore. However, the crowd started to chant “We want more!” while stomping their feet until the boys return to the stage.
- The quartet took a photo with the audience including the banner where messages to the boys are written.
 |
| Messages written with so much love and adoration from the Pinoy OOR fans. |
 |
| Julen (their official photographer) taking a snap with the band and the whole crowd. |
- Finally, when Taka promised they will be back!!!
Although some fans were disappointed with all the photo and video rule-breaking tradition of Pinoys and the failed ‘wall of death’ request from Taka, I can still conclude that the event is a massive success. A dream came true for us loyal fans and supporters.
 |
| 35xxxv setlist |
Thank you Amuse Asia for hearing our pleas, to Pulp Live World for
supporting us all the way, and to One OK Rock for making that day a memorable
one. And please, hurry back in Manila!
0 comments
Share your insights!