The MONUMENTOUR Tribute Night

Hand Gesture Says It All. 

If you asked me what my top two favorite bands were I would say Paramore and Fall Out Boy in a heartbeat - no questions asked. Their music filled my College years and helped me define my musical taste and preference. 

Now 10 years later - I've been able to watch both bands in concerts and even willfully defied no hugging orders and gave Patrick and Pete a quick hug when I got to meet and greet the band last year. 

So just imagine my joy and anguish (it's complicated) when it was announced that my two favorite bands were going on tour together! The very idea if it could send happy tears to my eyes but the reality of not being able to be in a show to catch them.... can you hear my heart and dreams shatter in a million pieces? -yeah I told you it's complicated. 

So while I'm seething at to not being able to be at an actual Monumentour show, I'll just go to the next best thing - The Monumentour Tribute Night where my favorite local acts will be covering Paramore & Fall Out Boy hits. 

Held at b-side at the South of the Metro, it may have been a big Yeay! from people residing at the South but it was a big Nay! from those of us from the mountains of the East (and I wasn't at all too happy about the price of the stuff in b-side - P60.00 for a bottle of water? - That's bloody highway robbery!) and yet on the evening of the 5th of March we brought my baby brother along to a night of fun and music.    

Mop of Blue: Ashley Gosienfiao of Midnight Meetings

  

Okay - so funny story; we had our weekend planned out like so: The Monumentour Night - Saturday and a Christening (where Paul and I are both god parents) on Sunday. But lo and behold - as I was lying in bed on Saturday afternoon, waiting for sleep to take me (for those of you who don't know, we work the night shift and make it a point to follow the same schedule even on our days off, just so we won't have a hard time adjusting come the next week) the phone suddenly rings and as it turns out the Christening was on Saturday and not Sunday! So Paul and I rushed to the church and had to literally say goodbye to hours of sleep to make it to little Summer's Christening. Unfortunately that meant being late for the Monumentour Night and missing some bands - apologies for the bands we missed and not finishing the event (we were too tired to cross the finish line) not sure if anyone noticed not having the customary epic group photo at the end. But fear not coz we still have amazing group shots! :D 

Arriving at b-side we caught Manila Under Fire on stage and I knew it was going to be a night of amazing performances. :) 

A-Ok in the Mosh Pit

Midnight Meetings was up next and this band has a lot of new things and surprises in store for fans of followers, especially with a new album coming out. Aside from their amazing Paramore cover, the band and new songs from their upcoming album which in my opinion are really good. 

I have a copy of their first Acoustic EP and I can tell that their new songs are showing a growth and maturity in their song writing, displaying new techniques and styles that were not in their first EP.      

Definitely excited for their new album - you guys should be too! So make sure to grab a copy when it gets out okay? :) 

Super kawaii all girl group First Impression had the crowd singing and dancing to their covers of Paramore and Fall Out Boy songs. 

The thing with Paramore Philippines is that you know that you guys are family, when you shout obscenities at each other. 

The way these guys head bang and mosh, you think that they live for it even waiting for the peak of each song, forming a circle and slamming into each other, becoming a mosh pit of flailing arms and kicking legs.  

Watching these guys slam and be a human mosh pit is just like an accident waiting to happen and I feel myself cringing every time it comes close and this time - it did. It was like watching a domino of people fall down and trip over speakers, and a mic stand fall-straight on the face of Mad Hatter Day bassist Paco Santos. Ouch! After that they had to bring a bouncer in to keep from any mishaps from happening. I think that that was the first time we had a bouncer for a Paramore Night and it probably won't be the last.  

It's actually nice to have some testosterone in the air for a change and which is why the male fronted bands for the night were very much welcome. 

Blue Boy Bite Back  getting some much needed testosterone in the air. 

Fall Out Boy Night 2

First band: Zylke 

While Paul and I have already been to and been a part of a number of gigs and events there are still times when I find myself in that 'Aha' moment and just know that this is it, this is the reason why we do what we do and for Fall Out Boy Night 2 that was when Bernard Sicat from Red Paradox called out to the crowd in attendance, he said Fall Out Boy family and for me he was right. 

These crazy kids who went to an album launch in Odyssey a few months ago are now one big crazy family who share the love for both music and Fall Out Boy. 

You can check out the original event announcement post here. 

The crazy but talented boys of Along Van Buren

Taking things in their own hands, these crazy kids (Yes! I will always say crazy kids because they are crazy kids and whenever I'm with them I feel like a crazy kid too!) organized this event all on their own, planning through long threads and group chats on Facebook amidst crazy jokes and antics.  

I'm really amazed as to how a young age is not a hindrance to today's generation of kids in pursuing their dreams and passions, I know that I may be talking like an old person but I am one of the oldest if not the oldest in the group. Your What is your age? poll on the group is a constant reminder of that. :p  

Starecase

Speaking of age - let's talk about someone's age for a change - Freedom Bar! Well Fall Out Boy Night 2 was held in the iconic and historical Freedom Bar as what I said during my hosting duties, many rock stars have performed on the very stage where these kids are performing now. 

So a bit of trivia - because I'm such a history nerd Freedom Bar in Anonas, turned 17 last August 23, 2013 and is the same anniversary as the Philippine's cry for freedom on Biak na bato, thus the name and patriotic interior design. :) 

I Went To Fall Out Boy: Save Rock And Roll Tour Live In Manila and lost my retainers

Photo by Magic Liwanag  

August 8, 2013.

I Went To Fall Out Boy: Save Rock And Roll Tour Live In Manila and lost my retainers- true story. Or is one of the stories that was all over Twitter right after the Fall Out Boy concert. Apparently aside from retainers and hearts being lost to the four man band from Chicago, soles, shoes and broken eye glasses were some of the material things lost amongst the crowd of eager fans.  Physically though? There was a lot of pushing and shoving as expected from a rock concert. A couple of girls fainted and were hoisted away by bouncers and carried out via stretchers. Yes - that was how hot the guys were on stage. 

Front act: Local band - Typecast. Shout out to drummer Sir Melvin! :)  
Photo by Paul Cheng 

The crowd bathed in light. This was pretty much our view from our seat. Photo by Paul Cheng. 

Concerned for the fans, bassist Pete Wentz asked the crowd to back up a few steps just to make sure there was enough air circulating. Thankfully there were no serious injuries aside from the hearts of many fans breaking after the concert that is. 

*UPDATE*

Apparently even before Fall Out Boy went up on stage there was already a woman who fainted. Which prompted concert organizers to make an announcement to the crowd not to push or shove - this of course was met with cheers and jeers from the crowd. It was even featured in the Inquirer - headline - Woman faints at Fall Out Boy concert - I kid you not. 

Photo by Mary Miracle Aco  

There are some things that we should be glad to have made a come back (and no Final Destination 5 is not one of them!) and Fall Out Boy is definitely one of them. Coming back with guns-a-blazing after a 4 year long hiatus which lyricist and bassist Pete Wentz talks about needing the hiatus to feel energized and to figure things out. The boys have returned with a spanking new album, a distinct new sound, the same amazing lyrics and a whole new mission: To Save Rock and Roll.    

Photo by Magic Liwanag. 

Interactive Concert 

I believe that one of the reasons why the concert was enjoyable was that, the songs in the set list really have the crowd moving to the music. The songs will have you fist pumping in the air, clapping to the beat and there are a lot of screaming and shouting and singing involved. The crowd held on to neon glowsticks that shone brightly in the darkened Araneta Center - it was a sight to behold. You could event spot glowing bunny ears in the crowd. 

Spotlight on Patrick. Photo by Inna Martinez 

A great live performance

You will always appreacite a musician more when you watch them perform live and this was also the case for Fall Out Boy who showcased their musicality during their concert. I was so impressed with Patrick who sang Sir Elton John's part during Save Rock and Roll and it was a whole range lower than his! A couple of octaves maybe? I'm not sure - any musical expert please correct me. He was going to and from different vocal ranges without a sweat! All this while also showcasing his talent on the piano. Clap! Clap! Indeed! 

Plus I was also able to appreciate guitarist Joe Trohman more, with his awesome 'Beat It' guitar solo! He is no doubt a rock star and with that hair - he can't do wrong. 

Drummer Andy Hurley even stood up on the drums and sang along, it was a sight to behold and his skills on the drums are undeniable! 

Say yeah - YEAH!!!! Amazing view of Team Gen Ad. Photo by Jasper Lucne.

Pay It Forward 

Honestly, this concert experience was very surreal for me. I really wanted to go to the concert and was determined to do so - even if car payments and sending my siblings to school seemed to threaten those plans. I told myself I would go no matter what and decided to buy General Admission tickets should all else fail. I knocked on so many doors but failed, I went through so many negotiations for payment plans on tickets that didn't push through. In the end we purchased General Admission tickets. Then I got a tweet from a former Colleague two hours before the concert, offering me Patron tickets- for free! I couldn't believe my lucky stars! I was so ecstatic and to pay that good deed done to me we gave our General Admission tickets to a friend who wanted to go to the concert. It was a good feeling and I really couldn't believe how everything worked out - from one kind act to another. :)  


A special thank you to Ben Anthony Rones - you have no idea how happy you made me! Starbucks on me! 

Fallout Boy: Saving Rock & Roll Album Launch; Record Store Day

Proud Young Bloods showing the free poster that came with the album purchase.

It was another fun and amazing album launch at Odyssey Megamall and this time it was for Fall Out Boy's new album -Save Rock and Roll. After a four year hiatus Fall Out Boy is back with their latest album and the fans are just loving it. 

Fall Out Boy has always been one of my favorite bands, I have always loved their (God) long tongue-in-cheek titles, infectious melodies and their no apologies and no holds bard lyrics. They were a huge part of my college life, with memories of making out to my then boyfriend now husband to 'Dance, Dance' and even using the song title 'Sophomore Slump or Come Back of the Year' as the title of my editor's piece for our school's literary compilation. 

With their hiatus I was left without any new songs from musical geniuses and like other fans was left to live on their old music but now that they are back with a new album they will undoubtedly not only 'Save Rock and Roll' but fans who have been waiting patiently to hear new music from them. 

Members of Fall Out Boy Philippines selling T-shirts at the event. 

The album launch last April 27, 2013 also coincided with Record Store Day which is a global effort from record stores to thank fans by having great sales and in store performances. For this particular album launch, fans got a free poster and a baller for every purchase of Fall Out Boy's album. (See promotional posters below).