Despite the heavy rains and the flooded streets of Metro Manila, die hard fans of The Smashing Pumpkins brave the harsh conditions to watch their idol Billy and the band at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last Wednesday, August 8, 2012.
The original concert date was Tuesday, August 7. However, due to havoc the heavy monsoon rains caused flooding lots of areas in Metro Manila, Billy was concerned about the safety of the fans and decided to postponed it the next day as announced in his Twit on Twitter earlier that day.
The rains subsided a bit on Tuesday in the morning but started to increase again in the afternoon. Despite of the threat of the bad weather, fans, including me decided to go to watch the concert.
I arrived at the concert venue by 7:15 pm on my full weather battle gear. Armed with raincoat, umbrella, spare clothes, food and water and flashlight just in case I get stuck on the way or going back. As we Boy Scouts say, be prepared!
The concert venue was slowly being filled up by fans. Most of them as I did tackled the heavy afternoon rain to be in the concert. One even tweeted that he/she crossed waist deep water to get to the venue!
I was on the Patron Area, the one behind the VIP section. Thanks to Araneta Center management for the complimentary ticket. I was with my fellow blogger Aileen Siwa to cover the event. Since she was not allowed to carry her DSLR, I lent my Canon G12 compact camera to her.
 |
| My Ticket – Thanks to Araneta Center |
CONCERT
When the lights dimmed, the crowd roared in delight and anticipation. The concert started around 9:30 pm with no front acts. The band comprised of Billy Corgan, guitars/lead vocals, together with guitarist Jeff Schroeder, bassist Nicole Fiorentino and drummer Mike Byrne entered the stage in dim light.
The crowd went wild when the band opened with the song Quasar with the fantastic multimedia orb hanged above the stage. Both the sense of hearing and sight were aroused with the opening.
They followed with the song Panopticon, also from the new album Oceania. Actually the first part of the concert’s set list was from Oceania since the gig was part of the Oceania Tour 2012.
The 2nd part comprised of their greatest hits which everyone was anticipating.
 |
| The Actual Set List (Right Side First) |
Billy mentioned that it was no ordinary night because of the weather and what the crowd their tackled to get into the concert. So he thanked the Filipino fans and declared that the concert will be an extended one with bonus numbers which the crowd cheered in delight.
I checked the New Zealand set list and the encore’s last number was Cherub Rock. #SPPH got 3 more extra songs as in the photo of the Manila set list plus one song that was not on the paper was “Black Diamond”. They performed the Kiss song cover with drummer Mike Byrne on the vocals. It was extended indeed, the concert finished almost 12:00 midnight. 4 extra songs. Thanks Billy!
Band Reaction
Billy seems to be happy during his wet stay in rainy Manila. During the concert, he asked guitarist Jeff Schroeder “Do you know why the men in this country (Philippines) are the luckiest men in the world? Jeff replied to him “No, No, please….”. Billy answered: “Because they come to hang-out with the most beautiful women in the world”. The crowd reacted in delight for the flattery!
Manila fans, you’re the best. Thanks to everyone who made the show possible. Our prayers go out to everyone who has been affected #SPPH
Original Tweet: http://twitter.com/Billy/status/233244789187964928
Manila! You guys killed, thanks for making this night so memorable. Rain can’t stop rock n’ roll!
Original Tweet: http://twitter.com/MikeByrneDrums/status/233268633160269824
Manila, our love for you is stronger than any typhoon. those who couldn’t make it, you were in our hearts. thank you for an amazing night.
Original Tweet: http://twitter.com/xocoleyf/status/233407276361347072
Concert Coverage
Here are my coverage videos and photos for the event. Videos were shot using Panasonic LX-5 and Canon G12 for the later videos. Photos, the first part were just extract from the video, but the second part was taken with Canon G12 by my fellow blogger, Aileen Siwa.
The following photos below were taken by Aileen Siwa, my blogger friend, who I lend the Canon G12. I just did some post processing to suit my preference. Thank you Aileen for taking being my tandem for that night taking photos while I take videos.
OCEANIA SET
Opening Numbers: Quasar, Panopticon
The Celestials
Violet Rays
One Diamond, One Heart
Pinwheels
Oceania
Pale Horse + The Chimera
Glissandra
Inkless
Wildflower
GREATEST AND PREVIOUS HITS + COVERS
Space Oddity (David Bowie Cover) + X.Y.U
Disarm (HD)
Tonight, Tonight + Bullet With Butterfly Wings
Almost at the end the crowd sings a part
Soot and Stars
Before the song, Billy talks about the rain and how lucky Filipino men are.
Luna
Today
ENCORE
Zero (No Video)
*** I run out of battery on my Panasonic LX5 that I used to video the previous videos. Lucky I found my blogger friend who I lend my Canon G12 and took it to video the rest of the encore.
Ava Adore(Partial only, End Part only)
Cherub Rock
1979
Stand Inside Your Love
Muzzle
Extra: Black Diamond (Kiss Cover)
Fans Reactions
The concert ended with the crowd very pleased with the performance. The fans efforts to brave the bad weather did not go in vain. As one of the fans tweeted after the concert:
The 3kmm walk in a waist-deep flood is worth it! Thank you so much @SmashingPumpkin @billy for comin to MNL! Yes, this is not a normal night!
Original Tweet: http://twitter.com/cherrypickings/status/233232993416794112
Here is a compilation of video interviews of some of the attendees after the concert:
So Smashing Pumpkins fans, what do you think of the concert, was it worth swimming the treacherous waters? How about you blog readers, after seeing the videos, what can you say about the concert? Please post your comments below.
About Araneta Center VIP Pass
The Araneta Center now gives you a change to get VIP treatment. Imagine if you have this VIP pass.
You will get free premium seats at the best concerts and movies with free popcorn and drinks.
VIP Pass Promo will get tickets to Smart Araneta Coliseum shows that comes after August 2012:
- Disney Live (September 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15)
- American Idol Live ( September 21, 2012)
- The Fray (November 10, 2012)
- Disney on Ice (December 25, 2012 – January 3, 2013)
- Plus other upcoming shows for 2012
This year, frequent shoppers and visitors to the Araneta Center stand to win free season passes to concerts, shows, and movies with its VIP Pass Promo!
How to Get this VIP Pass
A P500 single receipt purchase from any establishment in the Araneta Center (Gateway Mall, Coliseum Circle restaurants, Shopwise Arcade restaurants, Ali Mall, Farmers Plaza, New Frontier Arcade, Telus Arcade, SuperCenter, Araneta Center Bus Station, and Farmers Market) entitles you to a raffle coupon and gives you a chance to be one of ten (10) lucky winners of 6 months’ worth of tickets to shows at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, movie passes with free popcorn and drinks at the Ali Mall or Gateway Cinemas, and parking passes! Plus, the lucky ten also gets to take home P50,000 worth of Araneta Center Gift Certificates!
You can also get raffle coupons when you purchase three Cineplex tickets from the Gateway or Ali Mall cinemas. Get more raffle coupons and increase your chances of winning by doing either of the following: purchase two Bibbo! Cheesedog on a stick or on a bun; or buy two of any Coca-Cola products at the redemption booths located at Gateway Mall, Ali Mall, and Farmers Plaza.
Note: Discounted cinema tickets and/or receipts issued to senior citizens, invoices from gift certificate purchases, payment of mobile phone, telephone, electric, and other utility bills, credit card bills and the like are excluded from the promo.
So next time you shop, dine, or watch a movie, go to one of the country’s premier entertainment and lifestyle hub, Araneta Center and increase your chances of winning free passes to the hottest concerts, shows, and movies!
Promo runs until September 3, 2012.
Awesome videos. Great job and thanks for this. And yes, the concert was definitely worth the trouble. I couldn’t have asked for more.
You are welcome martsssssss! It’s always my pleasure.
VERY NICE PHOTO & VIDEO COVERAGE! I WISH I WAS YOU! ROCK ON MAN! m/ I WAS THERE, IT WAS A MAGICAL NIGHT! <3SP4EVER ~morrisonc.
Morrison, thanks for your nice comments. It’s comments like this that makes almost 3 hours of handholding the camera worth it!
OH.MY.GOD. Your blog rocks! This is completely detailed! I was there last Wednesday night too and I’m still in on trance. Was looking on youtube so I can savor the moment. Glad you posted your link. Thanks man!
You are welcome Rona. Re-live the moments of the concert through the video as I do. SP really rocks!
GUYS do you have any news if may refund ba for unused tickets? or at least discount huhu. sadly maraming hindi nakapunta because of the floods
No idea, Miguel. I saw questions raised sa fb site ng MMI iyong promoter pero walang answer 🙁
yeah because kumita na sila eh. still hoping sana may compensation in any way shape or form. thanks tedclaudio, if any news pls update us. marami kami haha. my barkada bought 3 lower box, lahat kami di nakapunta