The Bombay Bicycle Club night in Manila

MANILA, Philippines–Avid fans of English Indie rock band Bombay Bicycle Club (BBC) braved not just the rain but also long traffic lines that blocked most roads of Manila Wednesday night. They were determined to watch the band that would perform live in the country for the first time.

Waiting, anticipating

At 8 p.m., two long queues were made inside the World Trade Center lobby. The first one, being the longer, was composed of fans waiting for the gates (doors) to open. While the second were the lucky ones who will get to “meet and greet” BBC before the concert starts.

Though the “meet and greet” session took quite long, fans waiting outside didn’t find it a burden waiting in the cold lobby as each group present seemed to have had a good catching up with their friends and colleagues.

When the doors of the concert hall finally opened, attendees quietly entered the venue, while some checked out the official merchandise (albums and shirts) sold by the entrance.

SOS

Before BBC officially hit the stage, OPM band She’s Only Sixteen was given the spotlight to heat the night up.

The Indie/Garage Rock band, you can say, was the perfect front act for this BBC-kind-of-night as the tracks they brought to the table were lively yet suave – just the right contrast for the rollercoaster ride that was to come next.

BBC

Bombay Bicycle Club frontman Jack Steadman.

And when the Bombay Bicycle Club ride was finally on, the World Trade Center rocked not only to the awe-inspiring sounds delivered by the English band, but also to the visuals that matched well the music flavor which surrounded the concert hall the entire night.

The group opened their set with “Overdone” – a track that immediately brought fans to a state of trance. It was followed by “It’s Alright Now”, “Shuffle”, “Lights Out, Words Gone”, Come To”, “Your Eyes”, and “Open House”.

Even BBC’s frontman Jack Steadman barely talked, but whenever he did, he would say “Salamat Manila!” or simply “Salamat.”

The music feast eventually carried on with “Lamplight”, “Evening/Morning”, “How Can You Swallow So Much Sleep”, “Home By Now”, “Feel”, “Whenever, Wherever”, “Luna”, “Always Like This” and “So Long, See You Tomorrow”.

Throughout the band’s set, fans were seen either singing along or swaying their hands to the performances. There were some who did both.

To officially end the show, BBC came back on stage with “What If” and “Carry Me”.

So Long, See You Tomorrow

To be honest, the unique tang was already expected of BBC. But the clean live music and finesse they showcased during the concert was something that went beyond expectations.

In the night of July 23, each member of the group shared with the Filipino crowd not only their songs and talent but also the heart and the soul of their musicality.

When the show ended, fans left the World Trade Center with a content smile on their face and with a memory of a transcending music experience that they will cherish, perhaps, for a lifetime.

The Bombay Bicycle Club Live in Manila was brought to us by Karpos Multimedia.