Kodaline captured the hearts of Filipino music fans even before their debut on the local stage at Wanderland Music and Arts Festival 2018. The band finally came back to the country after their 2019 show for the Manila leg of their Asian tour. This time, in true Karpos Live fashion, the Irish alternative rock band and their fans had a damn good time on Sept. 14 at the Filinvest Tent.
Local band The Ridleys opened the show with “Summertime.” The four-piece indie alternative-folk band, who tell stories through their songs, took us on a journey with their set as they performed “DYWTBM,” “Milkyway,” “Aphrodite,” “Meaningful Silence (Our Song)” and “Icarus.”
Kodaline then took the stage with “Wherever You Are,” the lead single from “One Day at a Time.” From their latest studio album to their first, the band’s set also included “Brand New Day” from their debut album “In a Perfect World.”
The Manila crowd was ready for it all as Kodaline performed the more upbeat “Ready” next. When the post-chorus to “Brother” came on, everyone in the venue sang along. It was a perfect scene for an emotional song about friendship. After the song, vocalist Steve Garrigan said, “That’s beautiful singing.”
The first few lines of “Sometimes” also hit home because the crowd also sang along: “I’m not looking for an answer. I just hope these words will help whoever’s listening if someone cares to listen in.” In contrast to the upbeat “Sometimes,” piano ballad “High Hopes” was next in the band’s set. It was another heartbreaking song and listening to it feels like a punch in the gut. Kodaline are known for their heartfelt lyrics, and these two songs are no exception.
Steve then asked the crowd to turn their phones’ flashlights on when he introduced the next song, “The One.” He explained that he wrote this song for a friend’s wedding. The fans sang along to the super kilig song, and I wouldn’t be surprised if some couples got engaged during the song’s performance.
More crowd favorites such as “Moving On,” “The Answer,” and “Love Like This” were also included in the setlist. Kodaline collaborated with Norwegian DJ and record producer for “Raging,” and the band also covered the song that night. “Love Will Set You Free” from their 2015 album “Coming Up for Air” was the last song before the encore.
While waiting for Kodaline to take the stage once again, the Manila choir sang “All I Want.” The members of the band were clapping for the crowd when they appeared, and they performed two more songs for their encore: “Everything Works Out in the End” and “All I Want.”
“You guys are one of the best crowds we’ve ever played for,” Steve said as he thanked the fans for an unforgettable night.
The show was all about what we’ve always loved about Kodaline — the uplifting/heartbreaking lyrics that never fail to connect with their fans and the sound that is undeniably Kodaline.
Karpos Live: Kodaline was presented by Karpos Live, a concert series by Karpos Multimedia.
Words by Ava Sumortin
Photos by Seth Valenzuela
See more photos here
