wave to earth’s Return To Manila Was Welcomed With A Sea Of Love – Review

In less than a year since their first solo concert in Manila, wave to earth have made a speedy yet grand comeback to the Philippines.

A lot can change over a year, and such was the case for the beloved Korean indie band who have spent the last twelve months growing their fanbase on the road worldwide, and releasing a new album that rests well within their impressive discography. Though amidst all these milestones, the band, comprised of Kim Daniel, Cha Soon-jong, Shin Dong-gyu, and their touring members Jo Jung-geun, Jeon-min, and Hong Seung-gi have returned to Manila for an even-bigger showcase of what Philippine audiences have missed after all this time.

Unlike their show at the New Frontier Theater, this year’s concert took place at an almost sold-out Mall of Asia Arena, wherein palpable buzz filled the air outside the venue. Filipino “Planktons” — the devoted fanbase of wave to earth — had been gathered since the early hours of last Friday afternoon, waiting for the moment that the long-anticipated reunion would finally come into fruition. And just like before, the night was set to be an ethereal escape — a journey through dreamy melodies as the band reenacted their ‘Play With Earth! 0.03’ tour for us in the crowd.

From the moment the lights dimmed and the first chords of “are you bored?” echoed through the arena, the crowd erupted into cheers, their voices rising in unison to welcome the band, who wasted no time pulling the audience into their signature blend of lo-fi indie rock and jazz-infused beats. “play with earth!,” “peach eyes,” and “bad” soon followed, with each song washing over the sea of fans like a gentle yet exhilarating tide.

As the setlist unfolded, wave to earth continued to enchant with emotionally charged performances of “slowdive,” “holyland,” and “love.” Each note felt intimate, as if the band was weaving a personal serenade for every person in the crowd. Then came the solo moments — each member stepping into the spotlight to showcase their individual artistry. Guitarist Kim Daniel took things to another level, walking to the extended stage to deliver an electrifying solo riff that left fans (like myself) in awe.

Then came “annie,” a highlight of the night. The band, feeding off the crowd’s enthusiasm, let loose, improvising on stage (with a stellar saxophone solo) while fans sang their hearts out. The energy was contagious, and it was clear that the connection between wave to earth and their fans was something truly special.

Just when it seemed like the concert was winding down, the band pulled a classic prank, suddenly exiting the stage and leaving fans momentarily stunned. A murmur of disappointment rippled through the crowd, but as chants of “encore!” grew louder, the band made their triumphant return to the stage, ready to give the audience more of what they craved.

As the night drew to a close, the band took a moment to express their heartfelt gratitude. “You should know that we are nothing without you, so I want to say thank you so much for tonight,” Kim Daniel shared, his voice filled with sincerity. Bassist Cha Soon-jong echoed the sentiment, telling the audience, “Thank you everyone. You guys actually made our day. Thank you so much again. Manila, mahal ko kayo. Even though the show ends like this, it’s still beautiful. We hope to see you soon.”

The final song of the night, “pink,” transformed the arena into a shimmering galaxy of lights as fans raised their phone flashlights, swaying to the rhythm of the band’s tender farewell. It was a bittersweet ending, a perfect send-off to a night that would linger in the hearts of Planktons for a long time.

Before stepping off the stage, wave to earth bowed deeply, taking in the love that Manila had poured out for them. In one last special moment, drummer Dong Q made his way to the crowd, personally handing out his drumsticks to a few lucky fans — an unforgettable token from an unforgettable night.

With fans spilling out of the arena, still humming the melodies of the evening, one thing was clear — wave to earth had not only played with the earth that night, but they had also played with the hearts of everyone in the room. For with what all of us had experienced, this show felt like it was more than just a concert ––  but a warm and heartfelt welcome back for wave to earth. It was undeniable that the band’s return to the Philippines was met with an overwhelming wave of love, proving that their music has carved a special place in the hearts of their Filipino fans.

With such an unforgettable night behind them, this reunion only marks the beginning of even greater moments to come for wave to earth, whenever the time comes that the band is set to return for another show in the country.

Listen to wave to earth’s newly released album play with earth! 0.03 (extended) below: