On February 17, the Philippines finally saw one of the most yearned-for reunions in the history of OPM: Rivermaya held their grandest concert yet at the SMDC Concert Grounds, drawing in tens of thousands of people in a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The classic lineup, featuring frontman Bamboo Mañalac, guitarist/keyboardist Rico Blanco, bassist Nathan Azarcon, and drummer Mark Escueta, treated fans to a powerful 24-song setlist of their greatest hits. Presented by Live Nation Philippines, the historic event is a dream come true for fans of all ages.

Considered as one of the pillars of OPM, Rivermaya established their foothold in the industry as early as 1994 and has kept on going since. With their blend of Britpop and alternative rock, they shaped the scene with songs that have persisted as anthems in our country such as “Ulan”, “Kisapmata”, “214”, “Elesi” and “Awit ng Kabataan”. The band saw many lineup changes over the years, but one thing is for sure: Rivermaya shone best with their classic lineup in the years 1994 to 1998.

From start to finish, the near-three-hour show tantalized the crowd, so much that it felt like an out-of-body experience. Prior to the reunion, Rivermaya’s classic lineup was the stuff made of legends, tales you could only hear about from older people who had witnessed their prowess firsthand. They would tell you how Rivermaya was the blueprint and how they sounded so amazing when they played together. True enough, the tales proved to be true.

“Thank you very much for being here tonight! Maraming, maraming salamat! People here in front, hanggang sa likod”, Bamboo greeted the crowd excitedly before introducing each member like a show master would. To cap off the introduction, he shouted with utter conviction, “We are Rivermaya!”

Bamboo Mañalac’s vocals and stage presence were top-tier, hallelujah-level amazing — his tone going from soothing to dominating as the situation called for it. He tirelessly ran and danced around the stage, connecting with the crowd as much as possible. Rico Blanco’s guitar riffs were soaring all throughout the night, his solos adding a stylish flair to their classic tracks. Complimenting Bamboo’s energy, he fulfilled his role as the second vocalist well. Nathan Azarcon’s bass lines held their melodies together. Mark Escueta’s beats kept the pulse of their music beating all throughout the evening. Together, as Rivermaya, the four of them played in the best way they could on their grandest stage yet. Their overflowing energy was palpable, invigorating the crowd of thousands throughout the evening.

Rivermaya: The Reunion embodied masterclass fine-tuning that was done so well, that you would never hear their songs in the same way ever again. For a good part of their set, they were assisted by an orchestra under the baton of Mel Villena, the modernized arrangements breathed new life into their music.

There is the amped-up version of “Kung Ayaw Mo, Huwag Mo” that built up the song’s silent aggression so well that it made the penultimate coda all the more satisfying. The jazz-infused remixes of “Ballroom Dancing”, “Sunny Days” and “Hinahanap-Hanap Kita” gave nostalgia a funky twist. There is that solemn yet fervent rawness in their performance of “20 Million”, “If” and “Bring Me Down”. The swelling strings of the orchestra during “Luha” were enough to turn on the waterworks.

The show also boasted a lavish stage production, undoubtedly on par with major global concerts. The massive LED screens spread all throughout the stage background had varying visual effects for each song. There was an extended stage in the middle which brought the band closer to the fans at the back. There were dancing higantes and a marching band as “Awit Ng Kabataan” reverberated throughout the concert grounds.

The classic lineup called for a classic setlist, focusing on their older tracks, specifically those from their first three albums: Rivermaya, Trip, and Atomic Bomb. However, there were a few surprises as the setlist also included a special solo performance of “You’ll Be Safe Here” by Rico Blanco and Bamboo’s version of “Nerbyoso”, a track that was released after he left the band.

“You’ve got our music close to your hearts, keeping you company in your journey through life. Thank you,” Rico Blanco said as he dedicated the song “Panahon Na Naman” to the fans.

Nostalgia was at an all-time high as the crowd unanimously sang along to signature Maya tracks such as “Ulan” and “Elesi”. When the much-awaited “214” was played, fireworks burst into the sky, a moment that seemed to be cut out straight from a romantic movie. This was followed by the goosebump-inducing “Himala”. To cap it off, “Kisapmata” marked the ending as confetti and another batch of fireworks danced around the air softly.

Rivermaya: The Reunion was a dream come true for fans of all ages – a miraculous moment that seemingly went by in the blink of an eye. Being part of it truly felt surreal. It was like watching legends come to life only for one evening. I went there, thinking I would be filled with a sense of longing for the past. Yes, it was nostalgic, but beyond that, I left with a renewed appreciation for the present and a newfound admiration for Rivermaya’s music. As proven by the concert, their influence extends beyond their years together as a band, regardless of the many lineup changes. Their music will definitely continue to live on and on across generations.

Special thanks to Live Nation Philippines

by Sandra Mae Laureano