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| Franco, Amen. |
The title of UP Fair's show last night, February 13/14, was so fitting. It felt good to be back.
Well, to be clear, I am not an alumna of the University of the Philippines. But since college (PUPian at iskolar din ng bayan) and a few years after graduating, it has been a tradition of mine (together with my college barkada) to watch the uni's annual fair that has featured up and coming, as well as already established acts in the local, alternative music scene throughout the years.
Unfortunately, as I got absorbed by my profession, I found less, lesser and no time at all to go the fair even if I wanted to, badly.
This year, plans to return to UP Fair finally fall through once again despite the backing out of my favorite gig buddy Xerlyn Lanaza. I had three persons to thank, Grace and Guian, two of my good friends at work who also love rock/alternative Filipino music, and my cousin Charles from UP, who bought us tickets ahead of the Saturday concert.
But why go to the #Roots2016 show? Well, of course there is Franco, my favorite local band since Sugarfree disbanded. Speaking of Sugarfree, its former frontman Ebe Dancel was also part of the line up. Completing my must hear musician is indie artist Bullet Dumas. I first heard him in an acoustic set last year and I am hooked. Iba siya.
Another big name in the Saturday line up is mainstream act Parokya ni Edgar, which has been in the music industry for quite a long time already. Matibay ang staying power ng bandang ito. There is also UP Fair favorite Tanya Markova, known for their quirky melodies and lyrics. I quite like them and it would be my first time to hear them live.
As usual, Roots remained to be one of the most-awaited among UP Fair's five-day concert. It is staged by the UP Economics Society and UP Underground Music Community.
With a week of excitement building up in me, it was a bit unfortunate that work finished late last night. We were able to leave office at 9 p.m. already. Tapos trapik (tangna this). Sucks right.
Because of this, I arrived to hear Ebe Dancel's soulful voice already filling the humid air of UP's Sunken Garden. As he wailed the lyrics of "Tulog Na," I was reminded Sugarfree's farewell performance at the fair some three years ago, and other memories related to the song sans UP Fair. Haha.
Now indulge me. After all, it was the night before Valentine's Day and the last time I was at UP Fair was Valentine's Day (click here to read). The difference, I was in a relationship then. This time, I was "independent." #IndependenceDay
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| Red is the color of love. Love for music. Parokya ni Edgar on stage. |
Thankfully, despite missing Ebe's set, my friends and I were still in time for the other much-awaited acts. Honestly, I did not know what to expect from then.
Until Parokya ni Edgar started playing. Although I am not really a fan, it was enjoyable enough for me to see the audience singing and jumping along with the band. Simple pero rock, kumbaga. Also, kudos to Chito Miranda, the band's frontman, for attempting to sing "Bagsakan" alone. For those who do not know the song, it is the one where his band collaborated with the late and great Francis M, and today's most prominent Filipino rapper Gloc 9.
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| The ever quirky and lively Tanya Markova |
I had high expectations from the band, they sound awesome in record. In live, it was so-so especially in terms of vocals. Nevertheless, they fed the crowd with much needed energy as the night was getting deeper.
After Tanya Markova, I thought I was just waiting for Franco to perform. I had lost hope in watching Bullet Dumas live again because I believed he would play earlier than those who had big record labels under their belts.
Not that I belittle him or anything but of course, being an indie singer-songwriter makes him less known to the general public. But not to Roots' concertgoers. Many were awaiting his return after his debut at UP Fair only last year.
And so when I saw him preparing his guitar, my heart leaped. The perfect Valentine's gift.
I soon noticed that I was not the only one shrieking in impatience to hear Bullet live. It was good to hear many youngsters cheering for him!
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| Si Bullet at ang kanyang gitara. |
It was followed by "Tugtog," which as he told in his spiel, was inspired by the the beating sound of the heart which as he observed, sounded like "tug-tog, tug-tog."
While Bullet was at his element as usual, his male percussionist and female bassist (sorry I did not get their names) that night were also awesome. Thanks to them, Bullet's music became fuller and even more intricate.
To cap his performance, he was suddenly joined by spoken word artist Juan Miguel Severo for a truly heart-breaking, hugot-filled collaboration. The feels man!
Salamat sa malupit na set Bullet. Sa susunod muli.
And finally, Franco and his band. What is there to say? Whenever that man is on stage, he is sure to set it on fire.
He started his gig with a song nobody seemed to know. I hope it's a new one for a new album. Wished he talked about it naman.
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| Francoception. |
I did wish Franco played "Uprising," because it is timely now that election period in the country has began. It about "Babylonian politicians" after all!
Ending the Valentine's eve was "Song for the Suspect," to which the musician of Cebuano descent said: "Sana hindi pa kayo nagsasawa dito!"
I say never.
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| One love, jah love Come and feel the vibe He's given us the herb Rising from under the earth With soul we can unite So give me and pass me the light Throw away all your hate come, come with me |
As a side note, I was a bit disappointed to see how UP Fair had become overly commercialized with booths of big enterprises scattered all over the Sunken Garden. Of course this is positive development but it made one feel that the fair had lost ample space for concertgoers to just hang around.
But well whatever. As long as one is there for the music. Hope to be back next year!
As post script, I finally returned to UP Fair with a decent camera! So...
(ALL PHOTOS ARE MINE. TAKEN FUJIFILM XE1)
