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Music review: From another dimension, the Pet Shop Boys hit Manila
Go east: The Pet Shop Boys' first ever concert in the country was an otherworldly blast. Photos by Ferdie Arquero courtesy of Ovation Productions
Let's be clear: I have never encountered the British group Pet Shop Boys my entire life, nor was I familiar with their musical style and genre. The closest memory I had with them was mixing the band's name with the Beach Boys (clearly, I was wrong).
Before going to their first-ever concert here in Manila held at Smart Araneta Coliseum last Tuesday, I asked my friend who knows them: Will I enjoy the show? Is it my type of music?
Thankfully, she gave me a solid yes.
A show worth the wait
Amidst the excited fans of ages 30 to 40-something—all dressed like eighties were all the rage again (some kept it casual; it was like seeing a reflection of my parents' usual getup: ladies in chiffon blouses and cigarette pants, gents in polo shirts and denim jeans)—there was I, entering the hall clueless as the first song started to play. It was the 1987 classic "One More Chance."
The first performance was a blast. The crowd, at that moment "chill," settled in the nearest empty seats to witness the vivid animation, playing on the stage, of what seemed to be the Pet Shop Boys in green light.
The duo wasn't onstage yet, but nonetheless it was the perfect song to start the show: it had the right beat and drama (smoke flowing across the stage as welcome dialogues in Filipino were played) that kept the crowd wired for the next act.
Before going to their first-ever concert here in Manila held at Smart Araneta Coliseum last Tuesday, I asked my friend who knows them: Will I enjoy the show? Is it my type of music?
Thankfully, she gave me a solid yes.
A show worth the wait
Amidst the excited fans of ages 30 to 40-something—all dressed like eighties were all the rage again (some kept it casual; it was like seeing a reflection of my parents' usual getup: ladies in chiffon blouses and cigarette pants, gents in polo shirts and denim jeans)—there was I, entering the hall clueless as the first song started to play. It was the 1987 classic "One More Chance."
The first performance was a blast. The crowd, at that moment "chill," settled in the nearest empty seats to witness the vivid animation, playing on the stage, of what seemed to be the Pet Shop Boys in green light.
The duo wasn't onstage yet, but nonetheless it was the perfect song to start the show: it had the right beat and drama (smoke flowing across the stage as welcome dialogues in Filipino were played) that kept the crowd wired for the next act.
Flawless: "Manila, believe in love," Neil Tennant tells the crowd.
And then, a unique British-sounding voice said, "We are the Pet Shop Boys," and then the cloth covering the stage plunged to the ground as the silhouettes of the two appeared—Chris Lowe on keyboards and singer Neil Tennant, both dressed in extravagant black, over-the-top shimmering shoulder-padded suits. It was epic. As they stepped out into the light, all you could hear in that moment was the howling coming from the audience as the band performed their 1986 hit "Opportunities."
The succeeding performances were all flawless. From "Memory of the Future" to "Fugitive" to "Integral," the hall vibrated cheers of happiness from the crowd as they witnessed their idols from their teenage years performing live in front of them—with many dancing like nobody's watching, as if they were living in an alternate universe and not in 2013.
This was followed by "Suburbia," which was a real crowd pleaser. Almost everyone stood up from their seats to dance and sing the whole song. Neil's voice was timeless, as if he never aged, and the performance was remarkable. Never mind the fact the he was stationary; the two back-up dancers who were dressed like dogs did all the swaying and turning.
The song made a genuine connection between the audience and the performers; it was as if the world outside the hall didn't matter. After all, this was the first time the Pet Shop Boys visited the country—and for the audience, it meant that moment was the only thing that mattered. That carefree moment. That other dimension where they could see, and be, their teenage selves again.
It was truly a show worth the wait.
The succeeding performances were all flawless. From "Memory of the Future" to "Fugitive" to "Integral," the hall vibrated cheers of happiness from the crowd as they witnessed their idols from their teenage years performing live in front of them—with many dancing like nobody's watching, as if they were living in an alternate universe and not in 2013.
This was followed by "Suburbia," which was a real crowd pleaser. Almost everyone stood up from their seats to dance and sing the whole song. Neil's voice was timeless, as if he never aged, and the performance was remarkable. Never mind the fact the he was stationary; the two back-up dancers who were dressed like dogs did all the swaying and turning.
The song made a genuine connection between the audience and the performers; it was as if the world outside the hall didn't matter. After all, this was the first time the Pet Shop Boys visited the country—and for the audience, it meant that moment was the only thing that mattered. That carefree moment. That other dimension where they could see, and be, their teenage selves again.
It was truly a show worth the wait.
Run with dogs tonight: Chris Lowe on keyboards
The next songs were outstanding. With green light illuminating the hall for "I'm Not Scared," the equally impressive "Fluorescent," "The Last to Die," and their version of West Side Story's "Somewhere," the band delivered a show that has been overdue for 26 years—and performed in the flesh as if the pop icons of the new millennium never performed on the same concert ground.
The fun crowd couldn't stop dancing during their performance of "Leaving," where white strobe lights directly lit Neil and Chris' heads and reflected all over the concert hall. "Manila, believe in love," said Neil before performing their song about a weekend, "Thursday."
The best performance of the night was "It's A Sin." With the colorful light production, it felt like we were at a rave party as everyone waved their hands in the air.
Neil then belted out their hits "Love Etc," "Rent," "Miracles," "Domino Dancing" and "Go West," with the audience singing all the lyrics. The crowd was wilder than ever and judging from their reaction, it was as if they wanted the show to last forever.
The encore
The Pet Shop Boys eventually had to end their show—but like all great shows, at least it ended with a bang. Their performance of "Always On My Mind" was not enough for the fans despite the light effects and the confetti. Even after the band thanked their fans, the crowd stayed in place, stomping their feet and shouting for an encore.
Thankfully, their wish was granted.
The Pet Shop Boys performed "West End Girls" and "Vocal" to bring the house down, then Neil and Chris ended their two-hour show saying, "We'll see you very soon. Thank you very much, good night."
After the show, I asked myself: Did I enjoy the show? Was it my type of music?
And with no doubt, my answer to both is a solid yes. — BM, GMA News
The fun crowd couldn't stop dancing during their performance of "Leaving," where white strobe lights directly lit Neil and Chris' heads and reflected all over the concert hall. "Manila, believe in love," said Neil before performing their song about a weekend, "Thursday."
The best performance of the night was "It's A Sin." With the colorful light production, it felt like we were at a rave party as everyone waved their hands in the air.
Neil then belted out their hits "Love Etc," "Rent," "Miracles," "Domino Dancing" and "Go West," with the audience singing all the lyrics. The crowd was wilder than ever and judging from their reaction, it was as if they wanted the show to last forever.
The encore
The Pet Shop Boys eventually had to end their show—but like all great shows, at least it ended with a bang. Their performance of "Always On My Mind" was not enough for the fans despite the light effects and the confetti. Even after the band thanked their fans, the crowd stayed in place, stomping their feet and shouting for an encore.
Thankfully, their wish was granted.
The Pet Shop Boys performed "West End Girls" and "Vocal" to bring the house down, then Neil and Chris ended their two-hour show saying, "We'll see you very soon. Thank you very much, good night."
After the show, I asked myself: Did I enjoy the show? Was it my type of music?
And with no doubt, my answer to both is a solid yes. — BM, GMA News
