On its fourth wave, Bazooka Rocks kicked off the final month of the year. Its theme, The Royal Rumble, could be felt throughout the venue: there were colorful banderitas, nacho stations adorned with sombrero platters, and Mexican wrestler inflatable dolls. Let’s not forget the Mariachi playing in the background!

Normally, royalty status is not something everyone can available of. This year, it was a special treat for all those who purchased a ticket. Everyone was treated like royalty at this year’s Bazooka Rocks. Concertgoers had access to the various booths and a few lucky fans were able to participate in guitar hero challenges and private dinners with their favorite musicians. That’s some major fan-musician interaction you can’t get anywhere else!

It was a very intimate show at the Samsung Hall at SM Aura. And of course, who can forget the meet and greet booths open to everyone? All fans had to do was fall in line. It was that simple.

The line-up hosted local bands like Absolute Play, Sirens, Faintlight, Faspitch and Urbandub. A feast for music fans to delight in as they awaited the international acts to come on stage.

Paris-quintet Chunk! No, Captain Chunk! opened the foreign line-up. They were greeted with loads of enthusiasm: numerous circle pits formed throughout their set and even a wall of death during their last song!

Beach Weather should have gone before Chunk! No, Captain Chunk!, but due to unfortunate circumstances, they were unable to make it to Manila. Fans were shocked when Beach Weather suddenly popped on screen and did a surprise video performance for the crowd.

Next up was This Century. Since they were playing their last Philippine show as a band, they decided—on the spot—to add more songs to their set. Fans chanted “don’t break up” numerous time throughout their performance. It was definitely a bittersweet performance.

After Urbandub’s set, as well as the guitar hero challenges and private dinners with some of the bands, it was time for Never Shout Never! Fans were thrilled to have them back on stage after their last visit in Manila.

We’re curious to know what the next year’s theme and set of bands will bring. As the archway posters around the venue said—see you next year!

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Written by Isabel Matias
Photos by Isabel Matias and Carla Barretto