Mitski Goes Through The Stages Of Heartbreak And Longing In Captivating Manila Debut — Review
Mitski makes a captivating first impression on her Filipino fans at her first-ever show in the country, turning the night into a haunting yet masterful showcase of her artistry.
MITSKI: Photographed by Lexie Alley
MITSKI: Photographed by Lexie Alley
At Mitski‘s first-ever show in Manila, she arrived, raised hell, and left.
The hell in question was how her music speaks to her fans in so many different ways. A gateway into this is her most popular song to date, “My Love Mine All Mine,” a haunting yet resonant gothic country anthem that paints love as something we can hold onto in a world that embraces impermanence.
Photographed by Lexie Alley
My gateway to Mitski was from a distance, someone who discovered more of her music through its use on social media platforms such as TikTok. In a generation where yearning is embraced and echoed among many more than ever, truly, it is hard not to relate to her songwriting. It goes without saying that it is through various interpretations and experiences, and how others relate to her music, that it becomes something communal. It’s not all about trying hard enough to enjoy it or forcing yourself to become a fan, but when even a song or two hits, they sure hit.
Whether you’re a longtime fan or a recent Mitski convert (like me), there was a place to indulge in her music. Just as the lights went off, fans were invited into her home, a place where her own thoughts and musings are amplified to the core. Hearing her live was her way of letting us into her world. Despite the crowd in attendance taking it all in, there was still room for intimacy.
Photographed by Lexie Alley
The Mitski devotees knew immediately as soon as the magic hit. Thousands in attendance came dressed up to experience the magic seeping into her songs, beginning with the opening of the setlist, “In a Lake” and “Cats,” tracks from her most recent record, Nothing’s About to Happen to Me.
The performance was ever so present, with not just singing the songs live but embodying a character, a lonely persona. But she was never alone. The crowd became her company as much as she accompanied us with songs that may invite loneliness, but they never felt anything but comforting.
Photographed by Lexie Alley
The music continued with fan favorites from her previous records, including “Working for the Knife,” “Buffalo Replaced,” and “I Bet on Losing Dogs.” Most of these songs were backed by visuals that made us feel them deeply and bordered on the unhinged.
“I’ll Change for You” was one of the songs I anticipated hearing live. It’s a song that talks about grieving and trying to salvage a relationship long gone. A maniacal manner of my own doing, I think it’s one of the songs from her catalogue that, honestly, I have to do more homework on, that speaks with such honesty without trying to hide it.
Photographed by Lexie Alley
From the more upbeat songs that got the crowd on their feet, “Washing Machine Heart” proved that Mitski is a versatile artist who knows how to command a room, particularly the SM Mall of Asia Arena crowd on a Tuesday night.
A main highlight of the show was, of course, the performance of “My Love Mine All Mine,” which no doubt made everyone take in the moment. With the track being made to listen to at your heaviest and quietest, the atmosphere welcomed the moment as it was all theirs. Myself included, the show, well past 90 minutes, breezed through her collection of songs with pacing that was intentional and earnest.
Photographed by Lexie Alley
Granted, her interactions with her Filipino fans made it seem special, with it being her first time visiting the country. But what made it more meaningful was how she explained that she has always felt alone, in character, but with how the crowd embraced, related, and sang along with her music performed live, everyone felt the power of music and the performer Mitski is.
To even further this special endeavor, Mitski performed a surprise track on the setlist with “Nobody.” With everyone getting up to their feet, even the ones seated in the floor section, it ended the night on a high note, notably before her encore performance of “Pearl Diver.”
Safe to say, the Manila crowd did not disappoint and welcomed Mitski with open arms, just as her songs have continued to soundtrack how we long, yearn, and grieve in ways our own words and minds cannot. No matter who we long for or what we long for, live music never fails to capture a kind of cathartic feeling that comes from hearing songs in this space.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mitski played her first Manila concert on July 14, 2026, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena — the opening night of her tour’s Asian leg.
The setlist opened with “In a Lake” and “Cats,” then ran through favorites like “Working for the Knife,” “Washing Machine Heart,” and “My Love Mine All Mine.”
Mitski added “Nobody” as a surprise track. The crowd stood for it before her encore, “Pearl Diver,” closed the set.
Yes — it was a main highlight, drawing one of the night’s quietest, most collective moments.
It was part of her Nothing’s About to Happen to Me tour, marking the first stop of the Asian leg.
