Written by Ava Sumortin
Photos by Althea Planta

Think of K-hip hop and R&B, and some of the best artists that come into mind are part of the AOMG crew. Starting the new year with a huge party, record label AOMG brought their [Follow the Movement] AOMG World Tour to Manila. Woo, Lee Hi, Loco, Gray, Yugyeom, and Simon Dominic held a four-hour concert on Jan. 15 at the New Frontier Theater, delivering a party like no other.

Rapper Woo started the show as he opened with “R.I.P.” He had fun with the crowd and smiled when the crowd chanted, “Woo! Woo! Woo!” He continued his set with “Chik Chik Pok Pok,” “Pop It,” and “Chingiz Khan.” There were a lot of memorable moments that night, but one of the songs that made an impact, in my opinion, was Woo’s “Me” from his 2022 EP “comma.” He said this song’s lyrics are honest and that he wanted the crowd to feel what this song is about. While he was singing “Me,” the lyrics flashed on the screen behind him. Even though I was in the middle of a crowd, it still felt very intimate.

Singer-songwriter Lee Hi was next to grace the stage. With her soothing and unforgettable voice, she started her set with “ONLY” and “BREATHE,” mesmerizing the crowd with her powerful vocals. Lee Hi showed her range with songs like “Savior,” “Rose,” “No One,” “1, 2, 3, 4,” “H.S.K.T.,” and “Red Lipstick.” She switched between ballads and upbeat songs and even rapped some parts of her songs. She also encouraged the crowd to sing along with her, a challenge Filipino fans never backed down from.

Rapper Loco was the third artist for that night, and he started with “MBTI,” a surefire way to get the crowd on their feet and jump around. He said he spent a couple of months in Cebu to learn English and that it was his first time in Manila. Loco’s stage was intense, and he kept the crowd hyped with “Party Band” and “OPPA.” He also performed “Too Much,” “Like Water,” “Don’t,” and “Somebody!” In between songs in his set, Loco asked if he could play “Say Yes,” a song from drama Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo. He said he heard this song is very popular in the Philippines. Loco smiled as the crowd sang the chorus, and he said he will practice the song and promised to come back later to sing it with everyone. Loco’s set was exhilarating, and the crowd loved interacting with him.

Singer and rapper Gray was the next to perform, and he took the stage with “Dream Chaser.” He also performed “Show Window,” “TMI,” “Summer Night,” “Close 2 U,” “Baby Don’t Cry,” and “Make Love.” At one point Gray said, “You guys are crazy.” “You are reacting so well. I’m so thankful,” he added. When Gray performed “Lose Control,” he also played the melodica and encouraged the crowd to sing with him. The theater lit up with phone flashlights when Gray sang “U.” Loco joined Gray on stage to perform “Just Do It” and “Late Night,” finishing Gray’s versatile set.

It has only been a few months since Yugyeom held his first solo concert in Manila in August 2022, but Filipino fans, of course, could never get enough of him and came out in full force to support him. Yugyeom started his set with “I Want U Around.” He also performed “Take You Down” and “Lights.” “I miss you, guys. You are amazing,” Yugyeom said. “I’ve been to the Philippines with GOT7 before, but this feels new because I came with my AOMG crew.” Loco and Yugyeom sang “All About U,” while Gray shared the stage with Yugyeom and they performed “Running Through the Rain” and “All Your Fault.” Yugyeom also sang his newest release, “Ponytail.”

Rapper Simon Dominic, despite being the last performer of the night, is an artist that you will never forget after seeing him perform. He entered the stage with “Dax4” and followed it up with “Simon Dominic,” making the crowd shout the spelling of his name. He greeted the crowd with, “Ako ay si Simon Dominic. Magandang gabi po!” He also sang “POSE!,” “Room Type,” and “ya ain’t gang.” Woo, Loco, and Gray individually joined Simon D to perform different songs, including “GOTT,” “At Night,” and “Comfortable.” The remix of Jay Park’s “MOMMAE” was also part of Simon D’s set. His charm, wit, and talent were undeniable, and everyone couldn’t help but be amazed at how he carried himself on stage. He bantered with the crowd and the translator, and he even kept one fan’s playful banner, holding it throughout his set. Another fan asked him to design their next tattoo. He memorized Filipino phrases and often said the crowd was “maganda forever,” and in turn, fans taught him one word: pogi.

After Simon Dominic’s set, Loco asked the crowd to sing “Say Yes” with him again. He was prepared this time, and he also took a video of the crowd singing. He was all smiles.

The six artists took the stage, eager to perform for the crowd again, this time with their crew. Their set included “119 REMIX,” “Upside Down,” “TTFU,” “Party for the Night,” “ON AIR,” “We Are,” and “Who You,” and they took selfies with fans and signed autographs for them. Loco and Simon Dominic even ran to middle area of the theater.

The whole night was fun and intense. Even though the show was four hours long, everyone was craving for more. Fans were still energetic as they showed their love to the artists on stage, while the crew went around and interacted with the crowd. After hours of non-stop beats, dancing, and incredible visuals and production, we still didn’t want the party to end. Once you follow the movement, there’s no turning back.
[Follow the Movement] AOMG World Tour 2023 in Manila is presented by PULP Live World.