With a 15-year career under their belt, The Maine continue to put on t the most impressive show for their fans!

It’s hard to think that The Maine have been putting out music for more than fifteen years at this point, but the August 27 show, The Maine Back in Manila, at the Skydome, SM City North EDSA showcases the incredible career that the band has established — together with their devoted fans who shook the venue with their superb energy.

It has been three years since they last played in Manila and The Maine’s return to the Philippine concert stage proved that the fans are dying to hear their music live once again. The group has continued to demonstrate that they almost never get it wrong when it comes to the music that they create with the release of their eighth studio album titled XOXO: From Love & Anxiety In Real Time. One constant throughout their existence is the band’s unwavering commitment to being true to their own individual identities.

When I got there, I saw a long queue of people from mid-20s up to mid-30s, patiently waiting for the door to open. Before the show started, there was a buzz of excitement and anticipation in the crowd. Everyone was ready to sing and dance their way through the night.When Written By the Stars took the stage, they brought a lot of energy with them. Their songs resonate, turning casual listeners to fans, especially with “Runaway”.

And when the lights dimmed and The Maine gently took the stage, waving to their fans as “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond erupted from the speakers. John O’Callaghan, the band’s lead singer, snatched the mic with both hands and they launched into “Sticky”, the first track off of their most recent album, XOXO: From Love and Anxiety in Real Time. The Arizona rockers were all dressed in black jeans and black outlaw jackets. The audience was pumped up and ready to rock out with them. Kennedy Brock and Jared Monaco on guitars and Garrett Nickelsen on bass were killing it on opposite ends of the stage.

From a song that was only a year old, the band went right into “Like We Did (Windows Down)”, a song that celebrates a decade since its release. This was the second song of the night and the energy became more palpable. The Maine tried to get the crowd going and involved all the time.

Before performing “Numb Without You”, John talked to the crowd — “Are you okay at the back? I need thred years worth of scream.”

He then moved, sharing his experience during the peak of pandemic. “Turn around. We’re in a room full of f*** people right now. Live music is back!”

And the crowd didn’t dissapoint them as they gave all their energy on their full potential. Fans really fired up and I can’t remember how many times I had the sensation that the entire SM Skydome was shaking.

The entire night showed off how The Maine appreciates their audience and strives to create authentic and emotionally engaging music — reflected in the live show that they put on. The band continued performing song from one album to another such as “Am I Pretty?”, “Love in Real Time”, “Slip the Noose”,and “High Forever”.

An intimate place like the Skydome made the show even more special and personal. They played the first live performance of their unreleased song called “Box in a Heart” — a special memory that the fans present that night will surely keep for a lifetime.

With “Another Night on Mars” as the last song and confetti falling down, the crowd took over the last part of the song.

With material spanning more than 15 years, The Maine played a memorable set in Manila, alternating between songs from various albums and fan favorites such as “Growing Up”, “Diet Soda Society”, “Run”, and “Into Your Arms”. If there’s one thing I know for certain, it’s that The Maine enjoy making music and performing together, and that they are appreciative of everyone who supports them. This is the reason they have my affection. Their music conveys their appreciation for the support they have received in following their creative ambitions.

Setlist

• Sweet Caroline (Neil Diamond song)
• Sticky
• Like We Did (Windows Down)
• Numb Without You
• Am I Pretty?
• Love in Real Time
• Slip the Noose
• High Forever
• Dirty, Pretty, Beautiful
• Taxi
• How Do You Feel?
• We All Roll Along
• Diet Soda Society
• Don’t Come Down
• Bad Behavior
• Box in a Heart (live debut)
• Loved You a Little
• Run
• Into Your Arms
• Black Butterflies & Déjà Vu
• Another Night on Mars

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The Maine Back In Manila is presented by PULP Live World. Special thanks to PULP Live World for the invitation to the event.

Words by: Vince Bernardo

Photos by: Jo Tagudin