CONCERT REVIEW:
RICO BLANCO LIVE AT SMART ARANETA COLISEUM SEPT. 11, 2022
by Roads Melendrez
The bells have been rung – the loud sound heralding the return of live music. Its triumphant flame spreading light to the darkest corners of the country as Rico Blanco and his friends re-enlivens the musical landscape.
On September 11, 2022 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, Blanco blazed through 20 songs with his unmistakable strength and his brooding charisma. Immersed in an astounding stage production and sprinkled with delightful guests, the show presented by KDR Music House was a treat to casual and hardcore fans alike.
Kicking off with Antukin, a hit from his first solo album, Rico Blanco backed by a solid group of musicians jumped back and forth from familiar rockers to ballads – songs he wrote either with his previous band Rivermaya or as a solo act, with an exception of Orange & Lemons’ Pinoy Ako. (Although, it was a bit disappointing that there was no representation from his solo sophomore album Galactik Fiestamatik.) Worth noting is the fact that several of the performed songs were not played straight up as they were recorded. Rather, they either have new arrangements, extended adlibs, and some were even combined – which Blanco has always done during live shows even way back in his Rivermaya days. Such is expected from an artist who has always been inventive, never being fully satisfied with his creations.
In between sets, he introduced other artists who played short sets: Ebe Dancel, Peniel, & Zild. Blanco, a producer himself, paves the way for new artists insisting that there’s always good music in any generation – referencing the fact that most people get stuck in the music that they grew up with.
There was a point in the adlib during Panahon Na Naman when he asks the audience to close their eyes to think about what they’ve been through in the past two years, to think about the friends and loved ones we have lost, and he asks them to just lift it up. It was a sweet moment that acknowledges the bleakness of the world during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, yet we’re all here now – back again celebrating music, celebrating life itself. It was a moment of transcendence – an aspect of music many artists have forgotten about or just do away with.
Other highlights of the concert were (Blanco’s girlfriend) Maris Racal joining him onstage for their song Abot Langit; having his guitar string broken in the middle of the second song, yet his band continues and he improvises; a brand new song called Palibot-libot; and the grandiose combination of performance and stage production of Yugto.
Like many in the audience were, Blanco was also teary-eyed near the end. Saying he never dreamed he’d play a solo concert in the same venue where he watched his idols such as Duran Duran & Swing Out Sister, even pointing his favourite seat as a part of the audience. Adding that to his showing of vulnerability by admitting that he felt nervous when he introduced a new song, he reminds us that even rock stars are also human beings. From the ordinary person to the celebrity, we all have common grounds.
And this feels like a new ground, a chance to start anew in the areas of arts and culture whether mainstream or underground. My God, it’s been so long. But like Rico said, in a cool and calm manner, “We’re back.”
Set List:1. Antukin
2. Elesi
3. Umaaraw, Umuulan
4. 214 5. (Blues Instrumental) – Balisong
6. You’ll Be Safe Here
7. Wag Mong Aminin ft. Ebe Dancel
[Ebe Dancel 3 songs]
[Peniel 3 songs]
8. Happy Feelin’
9. Pinoy Ako
10. Posible
11. Panahon Na Naman (Extended)
12. Nagbabalik ft. Zild
[Zild 3 songs]
13. Yugto14. Abot Langit ft. Maris Racal
15. Palibot-libot [New Song]
16. Bye Bye Na/Himala [Medley]
17. Kisapmata
18. Awit ng Kabataan [Extended] [Includes Excerpts from ‘Everybody Wants to Rule the World’ & ‘Time After Time’]
ENCORE:
19. Liwanag sa Dilim [Includes Excerpt from ‘Hinahanap-Hanap Kita’]
20. Your Universe
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