Wave To Earth’s First Solo Concert In Manila Was A Tidal Triumph: “We will never forget the Philippines.”

When Korean indie-alt-pop act Wave To Earth first announced their return to the Philippines, it marked a joyous return for thousands of Filipinos out here.

As one of the top artists played in the country today, it comes as no surprise that the band’s return to Manila would be sold out in a near instant. In fact, the demand was so intense that the organizers had to schedule a second show just to accommodate the wishes of their Filipino fans. Yet in each of the group’s two shows, it marked a series of magical evenings that swept audiences away from the hustle and bustle of Manila city life –– bringing a sense of serenity, calm, and soul within the walls of Araneta City’s New Frontier Theatre.

Even lining up in the queue getting inside the venue, you could easily feel the palpable excitement from the thousands of people lining up to get their desired spot inside the theatre. Some fans were wearing the usual headbands that featured the faces of their biases within the group (with a notable amount being of lead singer Daniel Kim), while others were waving up banners and photo cards of the group to silently proclaim –– “We’re real fans who can’t wait to see them live and in person”

I also found myself talking to a young couple who were university students, and they told me that while their relationship was something quite new, it was the music of Wave to Earth that solidified the bond between the two of them. “When we both found out that we loved their music, it brought us closer together to the point where the track ‘love’ became our shared song”, they mentioned. “And now that we’re here seeing them live together, it’s a special moment for us because we’ll be able to hear the song performed right in front of us.”

So by the time the lights of the theatre began to dim, the excitement of the crowd transformed into rapturous applause and a chorus of screams, especially as the first few notes to “Bad” began to reverberate across the venue. From people singing along to screaming “Oh my God!”, you could easily tell just how much their Filipino fanbase present was willing to showcase their adoration for the band. As you placed your gaze on the stage, you could easily note the hundreds of cellphones placed up to record every aspect of the show –– demonstrating the audience’s willingness to encapsulate these moments into digital memories they could fondly look back on.

Tracks like “Peach Eyes”, “Sunny Days”, and “Nouvelle Vague” set a chill and enjoyable ambiance that allowed the crowd to easily sway and move along to every note of the song. With arms waved up or wrapped around their significant other, it was evident that people were enjoying the show exactly as it was. “Sunburn” upped the ante even further as it leaned towards a rock-inclined nature, but it was “So Real” and its impeccable drum solo from drummer Dong Kyu Shin that left audiences nearly speechless due to its impressive nature.

The jazzy beats, and rocking guitar mixed with the lo-fi elements of tracks like “Daisy”, “Evening Glow”, and “Ride” transported audiences to a new sonic realm that made us feel privileged to feel welcomed into such a space. Compared to their studio renditions, hearing these tracks live showcased a distinct flair that added color and vibrancy to what we’ve already been familiar with –– further highlighting just how jaw-dropping their performance came perfectly across from the stage all the way to the back of the venue.

Kim’s soulful vocals to a mashup of “Pink” and “Bonfire” added a touch of passion that was enough to make us swoon, while the heartfelt performance of “Love” and “Homesick” made everyone in the theatre feel sentimental and close to weeping at the bittersweet aspect of these tracks. Still, the tide eventually changed once the beach jam “Surf” began to play –– with Kim asking the crowd to sing the lyrics “Plankton!” and “Jellyfish” along with him every time it came up. 

“Pueblo” marked their last official track of the night –– but to the delight of the crowd, the band eventually returned on stage to perform three special tracks for the live encore of the show. Yet prior to closing the show, Kim proclaimed to the audience in attendance; “It’s fitting that we are closing our Asia tour with two shows in the Philippines because now we get to see all of your beautiful eyes.” As the crowd screamed in response to his words, Kim gave a small chuckle and a light wink to the audience standing right in front of the barricade.

“This may be our last show for our Southeast Asia tour, but I do promise that we will come back here. We absolutely love Manila”, Kim mentions. “Because even if Wave to Earth travels the world to do our concerts, we will never forget the Philippines!”

Closing off the show with intimate and stripped-down renditions to “Calla”, “Light”, and the ultimate crowd-pleaser “Seasons” –– lights were swaying amongst the crowd, with everyone’s arms held up as they sang every lyric to the latter track. It was a rare sight that exemplified a sense of unity and affection between everyone in the walls of New Frontier Theatre, one that perfectly showcased just how resonant the music of Wave To Earth means for the thousands of Filipinos in attendance. In a way, it was as if the band had enveloped the audience within their own universe. 

From Wave To Earth’s two shows in the Philippines, there’s no doubt about their hold on Filipino audiences –– given that it’s an excellent display of their artistry, talents, and ability to deeply connect with audiences. Whether it’s the jazz, rock, or lo-fi elements of their sound, each genre that they tap into results in a profound transformation that demonstrates a universal appeal to anyone who bears witness to them live.

So as people leaving the venue were buzzing about how Wave To Earth’s show could be one of the best live performances they’ve seen, if you ask me, they wouldn’t be wrong to make such a bold claim such as that.