“Think about your intentions for today, who do you want to be today?” said UMI, kicking off her second Manila show with a reflection.
While most start their concerts with loud drums and flashing lights, the Japanese-American singer-songwriter has always opted for a more serene approach. She’s always been the kind of the artist that centers herself and her music around human connection and healing; but seeing it unfold live was a completely different experience.
Photographed by Yvonne Solon for Insignia Presents.
As part of her Talking To The Wind tour, UMI headed back to Manila but this time at the intimate venue of Pasig’s 12 Monkeys Music Hall last April 11.
From the moment she stepped onto the stage, it felt like reuniting with a long-distance best friend. She started with setting her intentions and wishing love and grace unto the crowd, before jumping into a thrilling performance of “why don’t we go?”.
For the rest of night, UMI alternated between stirring performances of tracks like “sukidakara”, “love affair”, and “happy im”, and making conversation with the crowd. She made it a point to get to know everyone that set aside their night to be with her, from asking their favorite color to their go-to Jollibee order to what makes them happy.
Photographed by Yvonne Solon for Insignia Presents.
Photographed by Yvonne Solon for Insignia Presents.
As the show — which included a surprise cover of SZA’s “snooze” and acoustic performances of “mother” and “synergy” — went on, the barrier between UMI and the crowd whittled down. It started feeling like a house party among friends, with everyone united to have the time of their lives. You saw this especially during a special segment of the show where UMI invited on fans for an impromptu, freestyle performance, during which nothing but love and support filled the air.
UMI ended the night with “Remember Me”, “whatever u like”, and “SHOW ME OUT”, as well as an encore performance of “wish that i could”, that got everyone to dance and sing with no care in the world.
Photographed by Yvonne Solon for Insignia Presents.
Amidst the hustle of a work week and the hectic grind to make it to the weekend, UMI made the time and space to let the crowd simply be. With a show that only she could pull off, she made everyone forget the chaos that went on in the outside world and instead transported us to “UMI world.”
“Are you feeling happy? Are you feeling fun? Are you feeling more connected to one another? Then, welcome to the UMI world,” she said, closing out her show.
Photographed by Yvonne Solon for Insignia Presents.
Whether it was the intimate setting of a local gig venue or UMI’s innate warmth and welcoming nature, she forged a connection with fans like no one else ever could. From the messages that power her songs to the genuine conversations she had with the crowd to the prayers she shared to open and close the show to quaint segments that invited everyone’s participation, the concert emitted nothing but love and joy.
By the end of the show, there were new found friends everywhere as you heard everything from “It was so nice meeting you” to “Do you want to exchange Instagrams?” as you walked out the venue. With each and every visit, it’s clear that UMI always leaves Manila a little kinder and happier.