Disclaimer: If you’re looking for a blog entry about Incubus’ most-recent Manila visit that has all solid facts and written in a more formal or professional way, then you’re on the wrong page, baby. Quickly close this page now because this blog entry contains personal thoughts about the band and the whole experience. If you’re okay with that, then I hope you enjoy my manner of telling this tale. I put that title because, indeed, it was a night when I fell in love twice. Let me tell the whole tale now.
I’m not a huge fan of Incubus but I know a number of songs and honestly speaking, I like them, I like Brandon’s voice, and I love the lyrics of their songs. Sadly, I can count the songs on my fingers. Despite that, I decided to give it a go when I went to SM to buy tickets and found that there is still one sole seat available in the Gen Ad section. Just my luck. It almost seemed like the seat was reserved for me.
Fast forward to the night. The concert started exactly 8 that night. Maybe a few minutes late, but who knows, maybe my wrist watch is set a little advanced to the real time, right? It was 8:09 on my watch when the front act took the stage and blew my mind away. While I was watching her play the violin while dancing ballet in tune to the music she’s creating, my mouth automatically spread into a silly grin. The whole performance, I was smiling, clapping every time a song ends and another one resume.
They’re like a breath of fresh air because honestly, that was the first time I witnessed something like that. It’s so fantastic, so wonderful, so visually appealing, greatly entertaining, and, I actually decided to learn the violin myself, maybe learn the basics of ballet too. It was THAT AWESOME!
For 30 minutes, the front act entertained the crowd with their own brand of musical performance and showcase of talent. By 8:30 or so, they stepped off the stage and the crew started preparing the set for Incubus. Some 30 minutes later, on the screen, a countdown timer showed and people started growing wild. Only five minutes and the band will be coming out, the concert will finally begin.
It was 9 something when Brandon (since he’s the only one I know, don’t hate me) got to the stage wearing a long-sleeved shirt, shoulder-length hair, mustache, and that voice I fell in love with after hearing the song, Drive.
Let’s back pedal for a bit here. Before Incubus got on the stage, I posted on Facebook, “Wish you were here.” Because I really love that song and honestly, I would be disappointed if they didn’t play that during the concert.
Back to the beginning of Incubus’ set, Brandon got to the stage, approached the mic, and the band started the intro to… guess what… drumroll please… WISH YOU WERE HERE!!!!!
I was going crazy in my seat even though I came alone. I just couldn’t believe it. Hah! I felt special. Mehehehe.
I don’t recall the exact sequence of the songs because honestly, I don’t know much of them. Some songs are vaguely familiar but not as familiar as the opening song and their other hits like Dig, Megalomaniac, and others that I know the lyrics of but not the title. Told you, I’m not a huge fan.
I remembered the crowd singing along, how wonderful it is to hear and witness that, and how each time, the band would stop playing just to hear the chorus of people singing. Ah, it was supercalifragilisticexpialidocious! (Note, I didn’t google that, so the spelling might be off. Hehe)
Some notes about the concert.
I love the crowd. It’s filled with pretty ladies with equally pretty tattoos!! I love it!
I enjoyed watching Brandon. Now don’t you go judging me that easily. I was sitting in the Gen Ad section, too damn far from the stage, and Brandon has a spotlight on him, so he’s really easy to see. I don’t know why I had to explain that but howell… :P
Since it was my first time watching them live, as in an actual live performance, (I’ve watched one of their concert DVDs before but more on that later), I just discovered how weird Brandon is. Weird in a funny and adorable way. Heh! It’s so weird that the first time I saw him perform his silly antics, I went, “He’s soo weird!” Yes, in English. Chotchal ako eh. Nyahahaha!
Let me tell you about this discovery of mine.
So, you might be wondering what made me say that, right? Well, first off, when he took off his long-sleeved top, he rolled it into a ball, held it up on his head with arms stretched, then jumped up and down before placing it on top of one of the speakers. I laughed when I saw him do that. Haha.
He played musical instruments. I don't know what the first one was called but the second was the tambourine, then the percussion, and then the larger percussion that needed drumsticks to be played. (The one he played during Megalomaniac. The link is here.)
Speaking of Megalomaniac, as shown in the video, it was also then that he completely took off his white tank top. Or can it be called that, too? I have no idea. So, yeah, he took that off and I am totally fine. Kidding. I was screaming because WHY ON EARTH DID HE HAVE TO DO THAT?? UGH!
So yeah, he took that off and his back tattoos are soo freakin' sexy! Now I'll tell you the story about that back tattoo. I already said earlier that I watched one of their concert DVDs. That's where I saw his back tattoo. By that time, it was only the one on his upper back, peeking through the nape line of his shirt. Not sure if the tattoos on the shoulders are already there but that inspired me to have a back tattoo as well. And after seeing that it's now a full back tattoo on him... I don't know. I'm having these thoughts of having a full back tattoo too! Hahahaha!
More weirdness on Brandon's side, whenever the crowd would sing along to their songs, after each song, he would give remarks like, "So good." or "Beautiful." In a nonchalant manner. He actually sounded drunk or something. Hahahaha.
And when the crowd would fall silent, he would wave like a politician and the crowd would cheer, (of course!) He's weird!
When the concert was over and the band is giving out their thanks and goodbyes, Brandon walked out of the stage waltzing. Uh-huh! He was spinning and stepping to the side as he move to the backstage. I noticed he was trying to avoid the lights strategically placed on the stage. As though he doesn't want the light to hit him. And so, he looked weird, spinning and stepping to the side, the spinning some more before finally disappearing through the black curtain.
Brandon really did make the experience even more pleasurable for me. He's soo fun to watch! And his voice.. Oh my.. his voice! It's soo beautiful! When he sang I Miss You, I had to stop myself from tearing up. I'm weird that way. Songs can move me, especially when it's sung so emotionally, so heartfelt like he does.
I'm so glad the "signs" pointed me towards the concert. I'm superficial in a way that I believe in signs. When I heard about their concert here, I really wanted to go. Days passed, I changed my mind. Some more days passed, and I want to go once more. Heh! Another thing about me is that I go by these words: "If you're having doubts and not sure whether to go or not, then don't." But I wanted to go. So what I did was, resort to my other way of living: ask the signs. Hehehehe. I asked that if there's still a seat available in the Gen Ad section, then I will watch the concert. And surprise surprise! There's one seat left on the 521 section! Hah! It's meant to be. Haha.
The experience has been fun! On the way to MOA, I was being my usual lazy self and thinking whether I should still go or not. But then decided to go because I got the ticket and it's D-Day already! I just thought, "Surprise me, Brandon." And he did!
I had fun. The concert was fun. Brandon was fun. The crowd was fun. The night was fun. :)
P.S. Here are links to photos and videos from the concert.
