We arrived early so we won't have trouble looking for seats and ended up waiting a good two hours before the show started. The show started at 8:45 p.m. with Faith Cuneta as the front-act. We thought that she was going to sing just 3 songs, but she sadly announced that she was tasked to sing for 30 minutes. So, the audience politely listened to her while she was doing her arias err... birits (which I think was really uncalled for). Her most applauded song was her last song. You-know-why.

The band members did a little act when they went up on stage and we were wondering who they were and then Corinne Drewery appeared. The audience cheered. She opened with the song "Surrender" and sang a number of songs from their new album "Beautiful Mess" and songs they've popularized through the years. I was awed with her voice. It has not changed through the years and she never failed a note. When she sang "Forever Blue" she mentioned that it wasn't really in their line-up, but since a lot of the people she met here in Manila mentioned it they decided to sing it (Sweetie said that the song was very popular here and not in other countries). Corinne also said a few phrases in Filipino like "Salamat po", "Ayos ba kayo diyan?" and said that she loves the Philippines because of the warm weather and people.
The band exited just before the final song and Corinne reappeared wearing a styled barong (Sweetie said that she's a designer). I was surprised. It was the first time that I saw the barong worn that way. I wonder if it's going to be picked up by the local designers? Here's a glimpse of it -

To build expectation the guitarist and drummer did a little show before they eventually started the intro for Breakout. It was a really, really long version and if you care to watch a bit bouncy video (sorry, we were standing and very excited) here it is -
Thanks to the Swing Out Sister band for coming to Manila, you may my Sweetie very happy!
To Ovation Productions Manila, thanks for bring `em but I do hope next time: (1) You choose a more appropriate front act (you can actually do without one); (2) Having your name mentioned again and again during the front act is tacky; (3) Do not let the audience wait too long, we paid to watch a concert and not waste our time waiting; and (4) Make sure you set up the instruments properly. It was a good thing that despite the mess, SOS is such a beautiful and graceful guest.
Thanks for coming with me to the concert sweetie. I'm so glad you enjoyed SOS as much as I did !
ReplyDeleteThey're simply amazing. It also goes to show that you don't need to need to sing a multi-octave song just to make it sound good. Corinne always had that low-key voice but best suits her and her songs.
Ay sarap mo, Aileen. Napanood mo concert ng SOS. I wanted so much to go but couldn't.
ReplyDeleteBut my consuelo -- daughter and I met Corinne Drewery personally at a CD signing event in Megamall over the weekend. Swerte swerte lang na we were at the right place at the right time because we never expected her there. Napabili tuloy ako ng latest CD niya, Beautiful Mess. Ganda!!!!
Here's my post on it:
http://herestolife.wordpress.com/2008/04/05/meeting-the-swing-out-sister/
Doy and I also saw the concert. Ang galing! We enjoyed it. And yes, sana nga wala na lang front act hehe
ReplyDeleteToo bad Andy Connel wasn't there :D but the concert was superb!
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