December 9, 2012

ELTON JOHN & BAND LIVE IN MANILA (WITH THE 2CELLOS)

‎"Everybody loves you when you're six foot in the ground." - John Lennon 
Based on what I saw from the crowd last night, Elton John is so much loved. Even at the age of 65, he's still keeping it up. Even if there are horrible comments in forums of some people bashing his sexual orientation and that he's just too old for this era, it didn't stop him from performing at his best. Based on what John Lennon said, I believe he'll be loved so much by everyone when that day comes, even by freaking homophobes and idiots. He's that great.Well, that's 40 years of music in one night!

ELTON JOHN & BAND 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ROCKET MAN

Been looking forward to the concert of Elton John since the day I saw his gigantic billboard on Araneta Center. I know Elton John. His songs are mostly likely played in a Sunday afternoon in some FM radio stations. He's on the contemporary music history so I'm familiar with his name, but that's it. It was only then last week when I found out that he was the vocals behind The Lion King's OST. Also, I've been always familiar to Can You Feel The Love Tonight, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word since they're karaoke favorites of older people, but never knew who the singer was.


Reason why I was there wasn't for him, but for the 2CELLOS. I was even surprised myself that I was ready to pay $245 even if they weren't the main act. I love them too much. If my memory serves me right, they played Smooth Criminal (Michael Jackson), With or Without You (U2), Smells Like Teen Spirit (Nirvana), and Highway to Hell (AC/DC). I've always loved their rendition of Smooth Criminal, but it wasn't as intense when I heard it live. Perhaps I was playing to it too much on my laptop? It was still good though. All of their covers are always good, IMHO! With or Without You totally broke me off. It gave me the chills. I just stopped taking pictures and savored the moment. It left me teary-eyed! Smells Like Teen Spirit and Highway to Hell totally rocked. The intensity and precision was so right on. It had me headbanging, singing and not caring at all even if I got weird stares from my seatmates. I felt like I was the only one in my area who knows the 2CELLOS (even if they're doing obvious covers), and I guess it really is weird to act like it's a rock concert when they're playing a classical instrument. Can't really blame them. And I was just so THRILLED.


Btw, it was the 2CELLOS' last performance with Sir Elton for a long time as they'll be doing their own fortunes (as EJ said). Good thing their leave was scheduled after the Manila show, or I won't see them for the longest time, or maybe not at all. I like the Stjepan and Luka not simply because of their good looks (although it's a plus), but because they are skilled geniuses, and their passion for music reflects how they play and sound. I hope they stay grounded and retain their passion for music until the end. I noticed that Luka was playing gleefully the entire show while Stjepan was just keeping up with the energy, and not really looking around the audience methinks. Also, I think the camera man likes Luka, he's giving him too much screentime while Stjepan only has a few. (︶︹︺)


I'm glad that the 2CELLOS were supporting Elton John, it somehow encouraged me to listen throughout the entire show. I particularly liked LevonRocket Man, Hey Ahab, and Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word among others.


His band was also awesome. I particularly recall aside from the Luka Sulic and Stjepan Hauser (celiists - 2CELLOS) were John Mahon (percussion), Kim Bullard (keyboards), and Davey Johnstone (guitars). I'm a little sad that they didn't perform the Empty Garden. It would have been the right timing for John Lennon's 32nd death anniversary. It's a beautiful, beautiful song tribute to Lennon written by Bernie Taupin.

Thank you, Araneta! Thank you, dear universe.

Speaking of Empty Garden, that song is the reason why I got two complimentary tickets. I joined Araneta Center's What's Your Favorite Elton John Song contest. My answer was Empty Garden. I read in an interview that he would like to be remembered with that song, so I listened to it and just loved the lyrics and the tune. I had no more time to check out other songs, and I already found the song very meaningful. I already have my own ticket, but I decided to join hoping I could bring any of my family members with me and I did! So cool that they found my answer good enough for some awesome tickets. My brothers, a cousin, and a future sister-in-law declined my offer for various reasons, and my mother isn't even interested.

However, I ended up watching the concert with my mother and another cousin.

And oh, can I say Elton John dresses better than Kuya Germs? They both have like the most outlandish, sparkling coats but I can tell Elton John wears his justifiably. No offense.


Overall, the concert was fun. People around their 40s and so were just digging the concert floors. I also noticed die-hard Elton John fans dancing around literally. So that's how they party. Yeah. Whatever. Elton John & The Band, hvala za glazbu! I'll never forget.

He's a very cool, old man. I'm also pleased that he has an AIDS foundation.
So cool to be a reformed man regardless of orientation.

I wasn't able to drink the Coke I bought from inside the Araneta Coliseum because I don't want to go to the restroom and miss a thing, so there. I drank it at home using my Beatles glass. Last night's concert spirit was in that Coke, and now put in a Beatles glass!

LOL.

Also, just right in time for John Lennon's death anniversary, I received this last Friday.

Luka was really excited about performing at
Smart Araneta Coliseum. I walk pass through the building
everyday so it's a common view.
My 2nd time to get inside though.
Cool. (from Luka's twitter.)
THRILLA IN MANILA ala Ali vs. Frazier
(from Luka's twitter)

Not sure if the seats were as old as the Ali vs. Frazier fight, but can you please replace the seats, Araneta? I don't even know where to put my popcorn and Coke.

Saw everything from this seat.
WHY OH WHY DIDN'T I JUST BROUGHT MY DSLR INSTEAD OF ZE OLD DIGICAM. MAYBE I SHOULD INVEST IN A GOOD DIGICAM FOR CONCERTS. YEAH.

NEXT TIME I'M GOING TO WATCH THE 2CELLOS AND I'D BE SITTING ON THE FRONT ROW. UNIVERSE, LET IT HAPPEN. LET THERE BE A NEXT TIME. PLEASE. I'll be buying your IN2ITION album. THANK YOU. (ღ˘⌣˘ღ)


Photos w/o my watermark in this post does not belong to me. Credits to their respective owners. :)

2 comments:

  1. ANO BA NAMAN YUNG SEATS!!!! Kaloka!!! I'm glad you had fun (and dapat lang considering how much you paid for it lol)!

    ReplyDelete