Jay and I are avid music lovers. We love going to UP Fair and attending concerts when we can. One of my best memories of him is when we attended both of Eraserheads' reunion concerts: The Reunion and The Final Set.
Because he was working in Vietnam back in March, I had to take Niña to the Script's concert in Araneta Coliseum. Last month, my Mom asked me if I wanted to go to Bamboo's Musikat Jam concert with her at Resorts World Manila. I immediately said yes because 1) it's free, and 2) Jay wasn't here to accompany me.
I must admit I'm not a big Bamboo fan. Of course I know all the hit songs when he was still with Rivermaya, and I know the chorus of Bamboo's (the band) rock hits. I don't follow his music closely, it's just that he's everywhere so you can't really miss his songs.
But after watching him in an intimate indoor venue and hearing him sing live using a good sound system, I now understand his appeal. I've only heard him sing the rock songs in outdoor venues before, so I was more a fan of the electric vibe he brings to the stage.
I think the mark of a true artist is when his voice is as good live as it is recorded. I daresay, Bamboo sounds even better live. His voice is so smooth even when he's supposed to be screaming, and clear even if he's being squished by eager fans wanting to take a photo. In Filipino, the perfect word is swabe.
The first part of the concert concentrated on tracks from his solo album No Water, No Moon. But my heart skipped a beat when I heard the band play the opening chords of one of my all-time favorite songs, Bonnie Raitt's "I Can't Make You Love Me."
Now, I have to point out that Bamboo's band (not to be confused with his former band with the same name) is very good. A girl provided back-up vocals, played the piano, and also the flute. The double bass (the giant violin) player also played the guitar (I'm assuming it was a bass guitar as well). And when Bamboo sang a wicked version of "Wonderwall," I was mentally floating on musical heaven while the strings were playing their solo part. Aaaaah, strings. Side note: The violin and cello were the cool kind, the ones that look like skeletons of the actual instruments.
The second part of the concert was the rock part, the one the audience was waiting for. Bamboo started the set with Rivermaya's "214," and followed it with the other hits. I can't remember the exact order, but it included: "Elesi," "Tatsulok," "Hallelujiah," and "NoyPi." And because Bamboo is the Globe Tattoo@Home Ambassador, he also sang the LSS-inducing "Carousel," which is the theme song used for Tattoo@Home.
Until that point, the atmosphere was subdued, a bit stiff and formal since we were at RWM's Newport Performance Theater. Bamboo kept going down the stage to the audience, but because he was singing the slow songs, the people were contented taking his photos from afar.
Things changed once he started rocking. I couldn't see exactly what he was stepping on, but on two occasions he was surrounded by screaming fans while he towered over them and security personnel were trying very hard to control the crowd. The people then rushed to the stage, phones and tablets in hand, arms raised and jumping along. The technical crew had to protect the speakers from falling off the stage.
Bamboo was wired enough to grant an encore of several songs including "Adik Sa'yo," "Englishman in New York" and "Sunday Morning." I'm not sure if there were others, I was too busy smiling at him and reaching for his hand (which he shook twice! Haha). A concert-goer lives for moments like that. When you're so close to the stage you almost get a stiff neck, when you're so pumped and happy you try to make the bouncers smile and sing along.
Bamboo, you did not disappoint. I shall listen to your solo album and pick a favorite.
As I was searching for Bamboo's songs, I came across his latest video which made me smile. Listen to some good music and enjoy your Sunday dear reader! :)
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