And that is how I found myself lining up at the entrance of MOA's concert grounds at 4 pm yesterday, October 15. To be honest, I was a bit scared and unsure of what to expect, being a first time rock concert attendee. I know rock concerts are identified with mosh pits and body slams, and all sorts of those rowdy behaviors that can lead to accidents or to somebody getting hurt. But my husband was there with me, so I felt a little safer.
Still, when we were just outside the concert venue, waiting to get inside, and I saw the type of crowd that we'll be rocking with, I couldn't help but be fearful again. They are you're black-clad, sporting Chuck Taylor sneakers, I-don't-care-if-I-hurt-you-as-long-as-I'm-having-fun-looking, smoking, ready to trash and bash and mash and squash type of rockers.My only relief was that I was wearing black myself, so I sort of felt I was "in" with the crowd, with the wardrobe at least. But other than that, I was afraid I don't have enough 'rock' in me to get through the night's big event. But I didn't want to spoil my husband excitement so I had to brazen up.
They said the venue will open at 4 pm but we lined up there, got soaked under the rain until 5 pm. There was no clear line at first, but the bouncers sorted it and separate the women from the men. They were strict but reasonable, and most importantly, the entrance was orderly (at least from my perspective).
Inside the concert grounds, we had to wait another hour for the concert to begin. The area was divided into four: the Special VIP, VIP, something-between the VIP and GA, and the general admission or GA area. We were at the front row of the VIP section. Had I known there was a Special VIP, I would have tried to find ways to get a ticket on that section, because it was the least crowded and of course, nearer to the stage.
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| Tanduay Rhum Rockfest IV preps |
By 6 pm, the concert finally began and I braced myself. The hosts briefed the crowd on which bands to expect and told us we are part of the biggest rock concert event in [Philippine] history and a record-breaking attempt, which by the way was a flop. They were trying to break the world-record for the most number of toast in a single event. The record is currently held by Japan with 27,000 toasters.
We had the numbers, with an estimate of 38,000 who attended the concert. But the problem was, they didn't plan it well. They did say there's some record they want to break and we'll all be a part of it. They urged us to get our cups of liquor but the problem was, no one wants to move because we know we'll lose our place. They should've find a way to hand us our drink without having to leave our place. Maybe, give us a sealed cup during entrance or something. And they should've beforehand, before the day of the concert, announced this intention to make a new record for the most number of toasts. People went there to attend a concert and not to break world record, that's why when it was time to make the toasts, only very few had their cups raised. The rest of us were just standing there, hoping that the toasting ceremony will be over soon so the rock bands can resume with their music.
The local rock bands that were there to perform were (not exactly in the actual order that they performed, but in the order that I remember they performed): Stonefree, Peryodiko, Hilera, General Luna, Markus Highway, Tanya Markova, Rivermaya, Siakol, The Dawn, Rico Blanco, Yano, Protein Shake, Razorback, Pedicab, Wolfgang, Franco, Color it Red, Grin Department, Parokya ni Edgar, The Youth, The Wuds. And Tanduay's First 5: Bamboo, 6 Cyclemind (with Gloc 9), Sandwich, Kamikaze and Chicosi.
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| Stonefree, first band to perform |
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| Stonefree |
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| Stonefree singing Anghel sa Lupa |
Each band had 20 minutes to perform, which was enough for three songs. Most of the 90's rock band sang their hit songs which I really enjoyed because I am familiar with them. I like the performances of Stonefree (my husband used to dedicate some of their songs to me that's why I like them ;) ), Hilera (cool), General Luna (very beautiful girls), Rivermaya with their not-so-new vocalist Jayson (who sang Ulan and did ok I thought, and gave a free electric guitar to a lucky fan), The Dawn (who sang Enveloped Ideas and Salamat), Protein Shake (who I think sang an E-head's song and Lakas Tama) and Grin Department (who sang 'green' but hilarios hits: Miss (Miss Sa Loob ng Jeepney) and Buy One Take One (Special Offer), which got the crowded asking for more).
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| Hilera |
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| Hilera |
Siakol and Yano brought back memories of olden times but their performances seemed to be a bit dated too. Yano is missing Dong Abay and is now being led by Eric Gancio (the other half of the original twosome Yano, according to the rockers beside me). The group, Eric said, is now based in Davao.
Markus, of Markus Highway, looked and sounded drunk, I couldn't understand a word he was singing. But he was very funny and showcased his flair with the guitar.
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| The beautiful girls of General Luna |
6 Cyclemind sang with Yeng Constantino and Gloc 9 (which explained why Gloc 9 was included in the cast. Yeng appeared to be a surprise guest). I never like 6 Cyclemind or Yeng or Gloc 9 separately and I didn't enjoy their performances together either.
Bamboo's share of the limelight was the most grandiose of all, complete with fireworks effects. He sang Tatsulok and Pinoy Ako. Maybe it was just me, but his performance was just ok, nothing stellar.
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| Jayson Fernandez of Rivermaya |
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| Jayson's rendition of Ulan |
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| Rivermaya, Ang Banda ng Bayan, |
For me, the real highlight and great performers of the evening were Wolfgang (of course), Parokya ni Edgar and Kamikaze.
Wolfgang is Wolfgang. They sounded solid and suave despite Basti looking old, and they still have a strong fan base. The man beside me was shouting, after Wolfgang's 20 minutes was over, "Wolfgang na lang! Wolfgang na lang!"
Parokya ni Edgar still has their charm, and Chito could still make the crowd dance and jump. Before they performed, Chito said they were lacking a member (Buwi) and they just borrowed Kamikaze's guitarist. They sang Buloy and Halaga. But before they sang their last song, Yes Yes Show, Chito again said they will be borrowing another Kamikaze's member and called Jay.
I guess it was an indication that Kamikaze was the next band to perform. The crowded roared as Jay, with his gyrating moves, managed to stole the limelight from Chito and Vinci's bantering. When it was Kamikaze's turn to perform, Jay asked if the two can stay. Chito said he will but Vinci said he won't so Jay hurled swear words at Vinci. Of course, all those were part of the script. But I hoped that Vinci would loosen up and not look so serious. If I didn't know that these two bands were BFF, I'd think that Vinci was pissed with Jay or something.
Kamikaze's performance was crazy and insane. Jay was crazy and insane doing all sorts of things on the stage. One moment he was gyrating, then he was tearing his shirt, unbuckling his belt, unzipping his pants (and Chito pulling them down), faking a fall on the mosh pit, shouting at the people watching from their office windows, and telling his wife to prepare because he's wearing his special red brief. He worked up the crowd and the crowd loved his antics. I got tired from straining my neck to get a better view of him. You'll never know what crazy thing he will do next and you'll want to catch it everytime.
Unfortunately, we weren't able to finish and see The Youth, The Wuds and Chicosi perform because we couldn't hold out our breaths anymore. By the time Kamikaze finished, we were standing for 10 hours already (from 4 pm to 2 am). The last meal we took was 14 hours ago. We were hungry and thirsty and crushed and beat and dead tired. Imagine being sandwiched by the iron rail divider and the mob that's going crazy and slamming at each other behind you.
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| The Dawn, still rocking |
At 12 midnight, when I felt my knees and feet were about to give way, I sat down on some flattened plastic bottles, amidst legs and thighs and feet and the possibility being suffocated because there's very little air down there or being crushed when the mob starts pushing and slamming again. But my husband was there to protect the little space that I occupy, so I knew I'm safe. And a lot were doing the same, sitting down on some boring performances and hoping to give temporary relief to their tired and achy limbs.
I myself couldn't believe we lasted standing that long. We just didn't want to miss Kamikaze's performance because we knew it would be a blast, that's they we held out until they showed up. Good thing, they were worth the wait and we weren't disappointed. We headed for the exit shortly after they finished at around 2 am and just as The Youth was starting.
Overall, it was a great first-time rock concert experience. In most things, I always prefer comfort and coziness, but that night, I was rubbing my sweaty elbows with other sweaty elbows. I was soaked with sweat. I felt sticky and stinky. And so was everyone else but we didn't care because we're having a good time rocking and singing. Comfort was the last thing in everyone's mind.
That night, I also found a new appreciation for rock music. I'm not a convert yet, but somehow I realized that there was indeed beauty in what others would often refer to as noise rather than rhythm. In rock music, the lyrics is not always important (some don't even make sense). But how the music come together is. The rhythm, the beat, the loudness and the passion are what compose a rock music and only true blue rock musicians can blend all those to produce a wonderful song. I also realized that good rock music has very good harmonies. It was loud yes, but it was undeniably good. So good that it would make your heart beat faster, will make you tap your toes, bang you head and jump.
The organizers were 3 groups short of the 30 local rock bands that they advertised will perform at the Tanduay Rhum Rockfest IV. If I were to choose, I'd say Eraserheads (with or without Ely) should be there. Or maybe Eraseheads and Pupil. Also, The Teeth. Among the rock/alternative bands that came out in the mid-90's, The Teeth was my favorite and I thought Glenn Jacinto's singing/rocking voice was really good. My husband said Slapshock should be there as well. But it was a success nonetheless so kudos to everyone who made it possible.
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