Fans flock to the SM Aura’s Samsung Hall in Taguig City to watch Before You Exit, a Florida-based band of brothers. The group, composed of Connor McDonough, 20, (Vocals/Guitar), Riley McDonough, 18, (Vocals), and younger brother Toby McDonough, 16, (Vocals/Guitar), performed Saturday, May 18, 2014. It was a follow-up to their successful concert last May 2013 at the Trinoma activity center. Video by INQUIRER.net’s Coleen Barnachea
MANILA, Philippines—For the second time in the Philippines, American boy band “Before You Exit” (BYE) is back, considering Manila their second home.
“Before You Exit” is a Florida-based band of brothers who shares the same passion in music and song writing and they have already began to make their mark in the world.
They were formed in 2009, and the band is composed of Connor McDonough, 20, (Vocals/Guitar), Riley McDonough, 18, (Vocals), and younger brother Toby McDonough, 16, (Vocals/Guitar).
Following their successful concert last May 2013 at Trinoma activity center, they came back with their “Dangerous Tour” concert at SM Aura’s Samsung Hall in Taguig which was sponsored by Ovation Productions.
The concert started at around 8 p.m. with a bang as they performed their latest hit single “Dangerous” while their young fans screaming at the top of their lungs in amazement.
They also performed the songs from their soaring pop album of uplifting relationship that effortlessly blend sharp hooks with bright and buoyant rock.
These songs include “A little More You”, “Settle for Less”, “Heart Like California” and their recent and famous cover of the song “All of Me” by John Legend which made the teary-eyed fans emotional.
They did not say any Filipino word like what most foreign artists do, but Riley said, “It’s been our second time here and it is like our home.”
Connecting with fans
Conjuring up the optimism in the band’s name, inspired by the sentiment “make a difference before you exit,” the band works daily to make their way to the top but they never fail to stop and appreciate what has got them far especially their fans.
According to Ovation Productions, there was about 1,700 fans that attended the concert and after every song they did not miss to thank their fans and express their appreciation.
The McDonough brothers made their fans really happy by granting some of their requests and connecting with them through their singing.
Toby McDonough granted fans’ “selfie” requests by randomly getting their camera phones and taking a “selfie” with them even at a distance.
Toby also did the famous “Twerking” due to a fan-made poster which urges “Twerk Toby Twerk.”
A fan who was celebrating her birthday that day was also serenaded by BYE with a sweeter version of a birthday song.
Connor also revealed that Riley had a relationship with someone that lasted for only three days and told the rest of the story through their song “3 Perfect Days” which was inspired by Riley’s failed relationship.
The highlight of the concert was when they let the fans choose the song they will perform next. The choices were Ed Sheeran’s “You Need Me, I Don’t Need You”, Katy Perry’s “Roar” and Fun’s “Some Nights”.
The fans chose Ed Sheeran’s song and they really gave justice to it. The song showed BYE’s rock side and Riley’s awesome skills in rap and beat-box.
They also sang their favorite song “Soldier” which inspired a lot of fans to keep on moving forward despite difficulties they will encounter along the way.
All throughout the concert, you could hear fans uttering their words of appreciation to the McDonough brothers. A fan even shouted “Toby I love you!” almost every minute.
They ended the concert with their most recent extended play (EP), “I Like That” and had a couple of group pictures with the audience.
After the concert, the fans looked very astonished with what just happened. A fan being interviewed even said “BYE thank you for coming here and inspiring me to do good in my studies.” Jean Kyle Kelly
