Witnessing, Partaking, and Staying Alive in the Mad Riot: ParaThrilla in Manila II
I never thought I could still afford to get a ticket for the Paramore concert. But since I was having the mindset to make my upcoming birthday a big personal bash, I never let anything get in the way.
I’ve been a fan of the band since 3rd year high school. When they first had their concert here in the country three years ago, I wasn’t able to watch. It was a sore spank in the face for not attending as an avid fanatic, but for the second time around, I should never let the chance pass. No more. And lucky me to have friends coming with me, as fanatic as me.
It was not my first time to see a concert but it was so to appear inside the new MOA Arena. Also, this one was dissimilar because it was a rock concert—a show of my genre, something that really interests me. The four of us (Sam, Lei, and Reynold) bought Gen Ad tickets, so we ought to have our asses as much early as possible at the venue (MOA Arena); otherwise, we would never have a good spot inside (hence, the number one concern for Gen Ad holders). So, I, with Sam, arrived at the venue by 5:45—that was over 2 hours before the show—wearing our Paramore shirts that we bought together the day before. Lei and Reynold were about to come late, and they were sending us anxious messages.
At first, we thought it looked hackneyed wearing the shirt, but when we got ourselves among the gathering crowd of concertgoers beside the arena, we thought it wrong; we belonged! We even saw the same shirts as ours on others. What I noticed about the audience around us were teens, usually looked younger than us, and whose faces had no traces of being a rocker. So, I really belonged; I’m guilty of it as a rocker-at-heart only.
Anyway, I could no longer make this thrill wait to be written down…
To be a Gen Ad holder is to be the highest section among others. From atop you can see the rest who paid higher, especially the cloud 9 of the VIP’s to be so fortunately close to the stage. But for me, Gen Ad was fine. It was just that you could not rock your way freely; Gen Ad section is actually seated.
The show was kicked off by a guest band called “mewithoutyou”. Know them? ‘Cause I never heard of them, but they did well as the opening act. And so, the stage were reset until Paramore’s Singles Club album art (that particular rectangular shape—Paramore fans know it!) glowed to the backdrop, among the shadows. And the crowd went wild at the sight of it. And even wilder when the band ran to the stage.
F**k it; it was too good to be true!
I was actually seeing Hayley Williams with my own eyes, under the same roof! She might be so far yet felt so close (she was just like an inch small to us Gen Ad people)! I could vividly see how red her hair was and how beautifully pale her complexion was! My hairs all over my body raised, like how everybody rose up from their seats in hysteria. And the lights of the venue that were exceptionally designed, particularly the succession of thin green (am I right with the color?) rays, furthered my goosebumps, and I am sure for the others too.
They started off with their new single, “Now”. I didn’t know the words, though, due to its freshness. I even disliked it when I first heard it on YouTube. Now, I am starting to turn the table on the song. Then, came next “That’s What You Get” that got everyone madder, including me for it’s one of my favorites. Wow, I was no longer singing along my music player but Hayley herself, and live!!! “Decode” was also sang that brought out much madness from us. “The Only Exception” put up a constellation of cellphone backlights; so lovely to the eyes. “In the Mourning” also rested everyone, though it was technically a sad song and very personal to the band. “Brick by Boring Brick” was when Hayley barely sang, letting us sing it. And more, more, more songs (the rest of the Singles Club, “Fences”, “Born For This”, “Let the Flames Begin”, “For a Pessimist, I’m Pretty Optimistic”, “Careful”, “Looking Up”, “Ignorance”, among others) from their superb setlist. “Misery Business” was the last song—the last one after getting off the stage, making everyone ask for more at the top of our lungs. That moment was very disheartening to see the stage completely abandoned. Then, it was as if our request was granted—they came back into the lights.
Hayley, I can now say by actual judgment of a fan, was extraordinarily great that night. There was something about her actions onstage—the way she ran around, skipped around, banged her head, sang lying on the floor, showed off her flaming red hair, rocked her body, everything. She’s one total performer for me; very, very marvelous, especially how she managed to sound as great live! Taylor and Jeremy, of course, did their jobs superbly, as well. I’d never thought these two guys could be so naughty onstage. If Hayley devoured the stage with her enigmatically impressive moves, these two also pranced around with their guitars strapped round their torsos. Impressive guitar skills! Through this successful concert, it is thus proven that Paramore will still be Paramore even without the Farro brothers (the drums and one more guitar were played by two supermen from different bands).
Damn it, I just couldn’t believe until now I was with them beneath the same roofs.
And damn it even more, there was this local girl named Vanessa who was asked by Hayley to join her on the stage! Everyone was so envious that short span of time! She even got a chance to hug Hayley as well as Taylor, a close-up shot from her digital camera with Hayley, and to sing with Hayley. She was one bouncing soul up there, running around, banging her head like there was no tomorrow. Well, she had to level Hayley’s energy, and she wrapped it up! One very, very lucky being! *sigh*
It was a dream came true—something that I didn’t want to end. The concert just made me feel how fanatic I really am over Paramore. And if they would be coming back again for the third time, I would surely be eager to pay for a VIP ticket. February 15th—a night that I would never let myself forget. Never.
I’m starting to feel the approaching 20th birthday of mine!
Here are a few personally shot photos of the concert. Forgive me for the bad quality; I only used a digital camera.
And the stars of the night:
I'll also try to upload the videos on YouTube.
