By Nickie Wang/ Manila Standard Today
It’s around 10:30 in the evening, what emotion would you feel if the iconic “Ang Huling El Bimbo” was being performed by the greatest local band, and you were in the middle of one hundred thousand people who are practically singing the song through their hearts, and the sky was just perfectly lit up by magnificent fireworks display?
To Eraserheads fans, and to anyone who would have the firsthand experience of it, the feeling would be a surreal mix of emotions, if not a four-minute escape from reality.
On March 7, as early as 3 p.m., the E-heads fans (the generation of Pinoy Rock lovers who are generally in the age group of early 20s and early 30s) queued up at the SM Mall of Asia concert grounds to watch the landmark concert, The Final Set.
The critically acclaimed quartet of Ely Buendia, Raimund Marasigan, Buddy Zabala, and Marcus Adoro was back onstage to follow-up the last year’s concert that was prematurely cut-off due to Buendia’s health condition.
When the sun went down on the horizon of Manila Bay, the production staff started testing the lighting system on the stage; the entire setup was as high as a seven-story building. It was a trip down memory lane when an audiovisual presentation of one of the country’s most important rock bands was shown on widescreen monitors and video walls, four of them were suspended more than 20 feet above the stage.
The AVP showcased old videos and interviews of the band. It was immediately followed by a countdown that started with the letter Z and ended with the letter E. As the last letter flashed on video walls, the Eraserheads made a grand entrance to play the first song of the night, “Magasin,” which was complemented by fireworks that briefly gushed around the stage.
The first set saw the band’s performance of the songs “Walang Nagbago,” “Maling Akala,” “Maskara,” “Poor Man’s Grave,” “Waiting for the Bus,” “Huwag Mo Nang Itanong” (with Marcus giving it a reggae twist), “Slow/Slo Mo,” “Alkohol,” “Insomia,” and “Torpedo.”
A 25-minute break gave the fans a new feeling of great anticipation waiting for the E-heads to dish out another set of songs that give definition to what 90s OPM rock is all about.
More relaxed and more connected with the mammoth audience, the four music geniuses went back onstage for the second set doing the acoustic versions of their international hit “Julie Tearjerky.” Even though it was an open-air venue, the sound system neatly fit the acoustic versions of the other hits like “Tikman,” “Wishing Wells,” “Fine Time,” “Pare Ko,” and “Kailan.” They went rocking again by reliving the other colossal hits “Back2Me,” “Trip To Jerusalem,” “Spolarium,” and “Overdrive.”
Tribute to Francis M.
The Eraserheads paid tribute to Philippine rap icon Francis Magalona, who died a day before the event of multiple organ failure due to leukemia. The Master Rapper was scheduled to appear as a special guest at the concert and since the demise of the rapper made a big impact across the local music world, the band instead dedicated the concert to the late musician.
November last year, Ely and Francis decided to do a collaboration by coming up with an album called The Sickos Project. The idea came about when both musicians were confined at the hospital with Ely recuperating from a heart surgery and Francis under treatment due to the illness that recently claimed his life. The slated appearance of Francis at the concert is said to be in line with the promotion of the album.
It was during the encore when Ely said, “Sumigaw tayo para kay Francis,” and played the song “Superproxy” ripped from the band’s third and best-selling album, Cutterpillow. It was followed by the performance of “Alapaap.” The band ended the song with “Kaleidoscope World” with its more recognizable lyric.
The final set
The encore witnessed the euphoric performance of “Ang Huling El Bimbo.” The song was accompanied by a genius play of lighting and a boastful surge of gold confetti complemented further by fireworks display. It was a four-minute emotion-filled finale where Ely had to burn the piano they used to render the anthemic ditty; it was the same piano that appeared on the CD cover of Sticker Happy, the band’s fifth album. He even smashed the musical instrument to complete the fiery stunt.
“Group hug, group hug,” yelled the one-tenth of a million number of audience asking the band to give each other an embrace.
Instead of giving its fans the last treat, the quartet just put their arms across each other’s shoulders, bowed, and bade goodbye. And as the exit areas were clogged by people who thought the show was over, Raimund Marasigan went back onstage and asked the audience, “Gusto n’yo pa?”
Raimund said for the last time, “Hindi ’to kasama sa Set List ah,” and Ely followed with “Here’s three for the road.”
As part of the (second) encore, the quartet gave its audience the final treat for the night singing the songs “Ligaya,” “Sem Break,” and the catchy and nostalgic “Toyang.”
The Eraserheads staged a milestone concert, and yes, Edsa was congested three hours even after the concert. Indeed, it is safe to say that The Final Set was the concert of the year. It attracted a number of audiences who were gathered by the same fascination and admiration for the band that made an indelible mark in the history of Pinoy Music.
The performance of the band itself was already predictable, but seeing the members together for the last time made all the difference. The songs played at the concert, and the way the crowd reacted and religiously sang along with them, greatly defined the influence of the Eraserheads’ music, not to mention its successful attempt to bridge the generation gap in musical taste.
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