The best of times in a rousing show

Joey Generoso of the Side A band. Photo by Don Lejano/INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

The opening number, “The Best of Times” by the beloved American rock group Styx, was a big promise that “In the CompanY of Side A” delivered—one bright spot in a week of confusing weather and traffic jams.

Featuring durable (and we say this with esteem and affection) Pinoy groups, The CompanY and Side A, the gig on Friday night at Resorts World Manila’s Newport Performing Arts Theater was a testament to the rewards that discipline, teamwork, dedication, hard work and vision can bring to artists clearly bound from the start by talent.

When a vocal group can tackle ABBA, Apo Hiking Society, Journey and Queen with equal aplomb, it’s nothing less than brilliant.

That’s The CompanY. With Side A, they took on Sergio Mendes, Bong Gabriel (“Ang Aking Awitin”) and Sting (“Fragile”), Annie Lennox and the Bee Gees. No apologies, no blinking. Moy Ortiz—measuring the length and breadth of the stage with spirited prancing—succeeded in keeping the audience on its toes (towards the end of the show, literally).

Side A gave its fans all that they’d come for, and more, including a full beatbox number and covers of Florante and Hotdog. Joey Generoso’s distinctive voice has gotten better, if that is at all possible.

Both groups have entertained Filipino music lovers for more than a quarter of a century. This should be a message to amateurs with inflatable heads—even the talented ones. Meanwhile, we are afflicted with LSS from that once-in-a-lifetime concert: “We’ll always be together… together in electric dreams.”