For every concert that I've been to, I always make it a point to check the setlist a few weeks before so I can sing along during the show or simply be familiar with the songs so I can appreciate it more when performed live. But with Shane Filan, I didn't bother checking it. I didn't have to. I would know every song, by heart. I guess I can even tell you the title by just hearing the first three notes. Yes, a friend of mine can attest to that and she thinks it's funny and crazy. Also, I don't have any intentions of singing along. I just want to listen to him, all day, all night. He's one of those singers who "can sing the dictionary and would still sound amazing". His voice is just magical and angelic. Did I mention that I want him to sing to my wedding even if I have no plans of marrying? Yeah. So that kind of evens out -- an impossible dream for an impossible thing. ;)
I was at the venue by 7:30pm and there is a long line outside. They didn't let us in until 8pm but that's fine. I didn't expect the show to start on time anyway. It usually starts at 9-ish not unless there's a front act. Though in this case, there is (a front act) -- Klarisse de Guzman from The Voice of the Philippines. But before anything else, let me comment on the Silver and Gold section issue. I didn't know that we will be on the SAME section, and by same section I mean no barriers. Seriously!? Where is fairness in that? When I bought my ticket, the saleslady told me that Silver tickets are sold out so I got Gold instead. But from the looks of it, I'm pretty sure it's not sold out. I just can't tell if that was their marketing/sales strategy or the fact that it rained really hard that night and that the streets are flooded and everyone was stuck in a horrible traffic.
Going back to the show... Klarisse did four or five songs (I think) and we waited for another 15 minutes or so. Then the lights went out. People started screaming. It's the signal. The show is about to start. The band started playing and Shane's voice started singing. Everyone is freaking out as if we were teenagers again. And then the smoke subsided and there he was -- looking a little older but still have the same smile. He opened the show with When I Met You, a song from his solo album. The crowd was still loud despite the volume, especially in the VIP section. He immediately followed it with Uptown Girl. I knew he's going to sing some Westlife songs hinting from his The Voice guesting.
His voice didn't age a bit. It's the same old voice that made all the girls fall in love with Westlife. Everyone sing along when asked. And by everyone I mean men and women, young and old. I can't use boys and girls anymore because I think we've all grown up together with the band. But seriously I was surprised to see young faces in the crowd. I didn't know he's a hit with teenagers. Don't hate on me but I mean, today is 1D, The Vamps and 5SOS' era.
He greeted the crowd after his first set (I know it's routine but it still feels personal to me) and shared that he told his band that they have to come to our country because we are a great crowd and that that night, we didn't disappoint. And to continue, he introduced his third song. He goes, "this next song is called... What Makes a Man" and the girls go "oh my gosh!" and it's so funny that every introduction of a song would get the same reaction from us as if we were not expecting it. Girls, girls, girls! Behave! But you cannot blame them, I mean... US. We were teenagers all over again. Then, My Love!?, that song always get great reaction from the crowd especially because it was the number one song in the Philippines for like... a century.
They changed the setting to a chilled out, laid-back, sitting-on-a-stool, hand-swaying kind of show. He was interactive with the fans. He was asking questions, listening to responses, returning every "I love you's", telling stories and throwing jokes. He sang two more songs from his solo album and then brought us back to 1998 with Swear It Again. Ahhhh! That song... It was that song that started it all for me. I remember being in grade school again. :)
Shane's next song... I remember he was once asked on an Irish radio station, if there is one song that he wished was a Westlife song, what would it be? He only had one song in mind, Amazed by Lonestar. I'm not really a big fan of the song but when I heard him cover it in one of his shows, I was LSS-ing for weeks. I just can't get over how beautiful his voice is.
Halfway through the show, he called Klarisse back to join him on stage. He gave her a hug and she was enjoying the moment teasing every girl in the crowd by prolonging the hug and looking back at the audience to watch all the jealous eyes and envious reactions. They did a duet version of Flying Without Wings and I figured Shane needed help with Mark's part because it's too high for his voice. She didn't give it justice though. Just an opinion, don't be mad at me.
He took his coat off and put his sunglasses on. Ooopps! I was thinking, where is he going with this? And before I knew it, he was dancing to Robin Thicke's Blurred Lines. Oh no Shane! Don't dance like that. You can't dance like that! You are my only memory of innocence, don't ruin it for me. Haha! Kidding aside, this is the part when he covers some new songs. Westlife does this too. It's part of their routine.
Overall, I think the show is a success. It feels more intimate than any other concert that I've been too. The volume is much smaller but the crowd couldn't be any louder. The highlight of the show is when he chose one fan from the crowd who brought banners and posters. He picked a girl who was celebrating her birthday that day. If I may just add, the guy who picked this girl up from the crowd and escorted her onstage is a fox. Haha! A guy who looks like that cannot escape my eagle eyes. Just saying. Anyhow, this girl went onstage and gave Shane a hug and vice versa, and they did it again, and again and again. Yeah, I think they hugged a little too much. And he sang her Mandy! Freaking Mandy! And then they hugged some more. Lucky girl.
Oh I forgot to mention, there is one letdown for me. A few days before the show, he teased on Facebook that maybe, just maybe, he will sing Beautiful in White. I was looking forward to this moment, people are screaming the title of the song to him. Well, he gave in to our requests but he just sang the chorus part. Not.Enough! He explained that Westlife did not record it but it still received a very positive feedback from the fans so it will be included in the next album as decided by the fans. Not.Enough! His news excites me though but I was also a little worried that after he release it, a lot of people will hear it, like it and it will become everyone's wedding song. It was supposed to be MY wedding song. Just MINE. I know, I'm a little selfish. Just a little. -C
SETLIST:
When I Met You
Uptown Girl
What Makes A Man
My Love
Baby Let's Dance
Once
Swear It Again
Amazed
Flying W/o Wings w/ Klarisse de Guzman
Medley (Blurred Lines, Wake Me Up)
What About Now
Mandy
Let It Be
About You
Beautiful in White (chorus)
You Raise Me Up
Encore:
Everything to Me
Knee Deep in My Heart
