The concert was held at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena, the newest and the most modern arena in the country . The event started very late with the front act, a fixture in the 80s music scene, Juan Miguel Salvador and his band taking the stage at past 9 already. They did an inspired performance of various 80s New Wave hits such as Wire Train’s “Chamber of Hellos,” The Cure’s “Friday I’m In Love,” Real Life’s “Catch Me I’m Falling,” and Icicle Work’s “Bird Fly ( Whisper to a Scream”) amongst others. Before and after the front act and the lull in between the sets of The Alarm and Modern English, the audience was entertained by the New wave mixes of DJ Jon Tupaz, a popular DJ in local circuits I have read. He made the long wait not only bearable but very enjoyable with his great mixes of popular New wave tunes.
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Mike Peters.jpg) |
Looking still youthful, with his neck-long hair comb down( in contrast to the 80s spike), wearing a
dark coat with some red trimmings and a red- shirt underneath, Mike Peters and the Alarm took to the stage with the song from the Sergio Leone movie "Once Upon A Time In America,” the "Cockeye’s
Song” playing in the background before blasting with the rocking, “Marching On”, one
of their earliest songs. They performed
mostly their greatest hits in the 80s such as, “Spirit of 76,” “Sixty Eight
Guns,” Strength and “Rescue Me” amongst others sprinkled
with some of their recent tunes.
As expected two of their most popular songs here received the loudest applause, “Rain In The Summertime” and “Absolute Reality.”
Known for their highly- spirited and anthemic songs, Mike Peters and his band gave an impressively tight and “rocking” performance. Aside from his great voice, there is something extra-ordinary about Mike Peter’s stage persona that is so captivating. I thought I saw some semblance of Bruce Springsteen, Bryan Adams and , Bono in him. He sings with so much heart and passion that as a spectator you can sense he genuinely enjoys singing and sharing his songs. He often interacted with the audience, even sharing some small inspirational talks. In his penultimate number , he enthralled the audience when he went down the stage, mingled with the crowd and walk around while strumming and singing to a song that is very nice, catchy and meaningful, although unfamiliar to me. It turned out to be a cover of (a certain) Willie Nile, entitled “One Guitar.” A great song which I would say he covered very well as if it was his own . He sure won the hearts of the audience with that one. If I would describe their performance in two words, I would say they were really a 'class act'.
As expected two of their most popular songs here received the loudest applause, “Rain In The Summertime” and “Absolute Reality.”
Known for their highly- spirited and anthemic songs, Mike Peters and his band gave an impressively tight and “rocking” performance. Aside from his great voice, there is something extra-ordinary about Mike Peter’s stage persona that is so captivating. I thought I saw some semblance of Bruce Springsteen, Bryan Adams and , Bono in him. He sings with so much heart and passion that as a spectator you can sense he genuinely enjoys singing and sharing his songs. He often interacted with the audience, even sharing some small inspirational talks. In his penultimate number , he enthralled the audience when he went down the stage, mingled with the crowd and walk around while strumming and singing to a song that is very nice, catchy and meaningful, although unfamiliar to me. It turned out to be a cover of (a certain) Willie Nile, entitled “One Guitar.” A great song which I would say he covered very well as if it was his own . He sure won the hearts of the audience with that one. If I would describe their performance in two words, I would say they were really a 'class act'.
When Modern English began their
set it was close to midnight already with some of the crowd seen exiting the arena due to the lateness of the hour.
Despite his simple attire of black suit, white shirt underneath and black jeans, with his red-framed dark glasses, Robbie Grey, the bands energetic front man appeared stylish. He was very conversant and animated throughout the show . After their second number, he took off his suit and removed his dark glasses, went to the audience and said: “Now I can see you.” That drew laughter from the crowd. The passing of years may have turned Robbie Grey’s hair to gray and put more pounds to guitarist Andy Mcdowell but some things remain the same. Robbie Grey’s manner of singing (as I saw it in music videos) and his gyrations are still there. Andy McDowell still looks weird, actually more weird with his facial tattoos. :)
Despite his simple attire of black suit, white shirt underneath and black jeans, with his red-framed dark glasses, Robbie Grey, the bands energetic front man appeared stylish. He was very conversant and animated throughout the show . After their second number, he took off his suit and removed his dark glasses, went to the audience and said: “Now I can see you.” That drew laughter from the crowd. The passing of years may have turned Robbie Grey’s hair to gray and put more pounds to guitarist Andy Mcdowell but some things remain the same. Robbie Grey’s manner of singing (as I saw it in music videos) and his gyrations are still there. Andy McDowell still looks weird, actually more weird with his facial tattoos. :)
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| (Front) Andy Mcdowell Mick Conroy Robbie Grey Steven Walker |
They opened their gig with the atmospheric and fan-favorite , ”Someone’s
Calling” to the delight of the audience.
Generally, Robbie Grey sang very well and the band was solid in doing songs mostly from their first two albums, Mesh and Lace and After the Snow. They were particularly outstanding in performing songs that depict their post-punk and experimental leaning such as the reverb-laden “Swans On Glass,” Black Houses,” and “Life In A Gladhouse,” amongst others, but they needed a cue when they introduced two new songs, “Come out of Your Hole” and “Moonbeam”, from their upcoming album.
Perhaps because they do not want to let down their fans here, they included “Ink and Paper” in their set. This song was highly popular among New Wavers here in the 80s. Robbie Grey said something like they do not and have never included this song in their sets. This explains their somewhat off and tepid rendition, however, this did not deter their fans enthusiasm as they gamely sang along.
The high point of the concert was their last two numbers and their two most popular songs , ”Hands Across the Sea” and the New Wave genre classic ”I Melt With You”. Surprisingly, Robbie Grey made some lyrical error in the opening line of (of all songs) “I Melt With You.” He started with the first 3 or 4 words of the first line of the second stanza. Anyway, both the band and the audience were at one as they went all out for these two aforementioned songs. As a finale the band performed the opening instrumental sequences of “I Melt With You” repeatedly, with each time going faster and faster and faster-- ending the concert on a high note.
Generally, Robbie Grey sang very well and the band was solid in doing songs mostly from their first two albums, Mesh and Lace and After the Snow. They were particularly outstanding in performing songs that depict their post-punk and experimental leaning such as the reverb-laden “Swans On Glass,” Black Houses,” and “Life In A Gladhouse,” amongst others, but they needed a cue when they introduced two new songs, “Come out of Your Hole” and “Moonbeam”, from their upcoming album.
Perhaps because they do not want to let down their fans here, they included “Ink and Paper” in their set. This song was highly popular among New Wavers here in the 80s. Robbie Grey said something like they do not and have never included this song in their sets. This explains their somewhat off and tepid rendition, however, this did not deter their fans enthusiasm as they gamely sang along.
The high point of the concert was their last two numbers and their two most popular songs , ”Hands Across the Sea” and the New Wave genre classic ”I Melt With You”. Surprisingly, Robbie Grey made some lyrical error in the opening line of (of all songs) “I Melt With You.” He started with the first 3 or 4 words of the first line of the second stanza. Anyway, both the band and the audience were at one as they went all out for these two aforementioned songs. As a finale the band performed the opening instrumental sequences of “I Melt With You” repeatedly, with each time going faster and faster and faster-- ending the concert on a high note.
Afterwards, the band
returned for a two- song
encore, the experimental sounding “16
Days” and the slow and dark version of “I Melt With You”. Frankly, I thought they could have skipped the encore as many among
the audience were
no longer in the mood for more (there were no loud cries for more ) except of course the die-hard fans in
front. It was already early morning, many were obviously tired and raring to go home. In my point of view, this somehow
rubbed-off the remarkable ending of their regular set.
All
in all it was another wonderful night of nostalgic New Wave concert by two celebrated bands from the 80's that would be remembered and cherished. It was literally two great
shows for the price of one. Lots of thanks should go to the organizers for choosing a spacious and top of
the class venue for this 80's concert
party, albeit more challenging to fill in.
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