Not a lot of singer-songwriters can make you feel complex emotions just by listening to their lyrics, but Bruno Major is one of those artists. Listen to “Nothing,” and you’ll feel an easy kind of love. “We Were Never Really Friends” makes you think about that blurry line between friends and lovers, while “Tell Her” gives you a heartache that can only come from a broken heart or a painful realization of a breakup.

Major’s descriptive lyrics paint various pictures that you can imagine and feel, and experiencing his show and storytelling was truly magical.

A year after performing at the New Fronter Theater in August 2023 as part of “Tour of Planet Earth,” the British singer-songwriter came back to the Philippines for his 2024 Asia Tour. His Manila stop was originally a one-night only show on Sept. 7 at the PICC Plenary Hall, but another show was added for Sept. 11 due to public demand.

From the first song, “The Show Must Go On,” the audience was under his spell once again. Fan favorites were also performed one after another, including “Regent’s Park,” “The Most Beautiful Thing,” and “Tell Her.” Major explained that “Tell Her” was written for his current girlfriend: “I’m happy to tell you that we’ve figured it out.”

Because the Sept. 11 show was the last stop for this tour, he talked about traveling with the band since last year. “We’ve been on tour for more than a year. We had a few months off in the middle, but it’s been amazing. We’ve traveled all around the world. We’ve been to a million countries … I’ve always felt very welcome here in the Philippines.”

“Thank you for making my dreams come true.”

Major played the piano for a few consecutive songs. He introduced “A Strange Kind of Beautiful” as his favorite song he’s ever written. “Just the Same,” “Tapestry” — which he said was a request from a Filipino fan on Instagram — and “Places We Won’t Walk” were also performed with Major playing the keys.

He then asked the crowd to turn on their phone flashlights for the next song, “Nothing.” Major is known for his ballads, but it is also worth noting that he can perform a mean and electrifying guitar solo. “Columbo” and “We Were Never Really Friends” rounded up the set before the encore, where Major performed “Easily.”

“I don’t know why it is that you love me here. But I want you to know that I’m extraordinarily grateful for it, and I don’t take it for granted. Thank you so much for opening your heart to me and my music. I will do my best to return the favor,” Major said during the night.

I could write bullet points or paragraphs about why Manila loves Bruno Major, but I think it’s best to experience his show to understand the charm. Major promised to come back to Manila, and we’ll be right here, ready to be whisked away once again by his music.

Sept. 11 Set List:
The Show Must Go On
Like Someone in Love
Fair-Weathered Friend
Wouldn’t Mean a Thing
Regent’s Park
The Most Beautiful Thing
Tell Her
Home
You Take the High Road
Strange Kind of Beautiful
Just the Same
Tapestry
Places We Won’t Walk
Nothing
Shakey Ground
Columbo
We Were Never Really Friends
Encore:
Easily
The End

Bruno Major Live in Manila was presented by Karpos Multimedia.

Words by Ava S.
Photos by Kevin Pableo