Lifehouse Smoke and Mirrors Manila Tour Concert Review

 

Sometimes life is about feeling empty and having a broken heart and the hope that at any time, there might be some big upswing, a friend that you can count on for the rest of your life. That’s what Lifehouse gives their fans to help carry them through the times that lack and celebrate the times of life.

Saturday night, alternative-rock band from United States, headlined their last Smoke and Mirrors concert tour in Manila at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Somewhere around 10,000 – 12,000 fans gave the four-some band the usual dose of love and high-pitch appreciation.

Needless to say, the band lead by Jason Wade came onto the music scene during my college days so hearing the songs live is a night to remember, as I’m sure it was for a lot fans. But before Lifehouse took the stage, we’re treated with Never The Strangers as the opening act. They warmed up the crowd with their hits like Moving Closer. The front act actually matched up well with the headliner for this tour.

But when Jason and his band took the stage, there’s no questioning who concert goers were there to see. Deafening screams and great amount of energy was obviously wowed the band. They started off the show with Hello There (cheap trick cover) Wade paused for seconds and looked at the crowd before performing All In and Here Tomorrow Gone Today.  The band did not miss our old favorites like Spin, Broken, Take Me Away and You and Me, fans were treated what exactly they wanted to. The crowd went wild when Jason Wade touched the floor and grabbed the hands of lucky concert goers while singing Nerve Damage, a very rare moment in a concert nowadays.

In the middle of the show, Jason Wade paused and was taking request for an acoustic set. The fans nearly always screams out Sick Cycle Carousel and Everything as their top choice, He listened and granted Storm, Everything, Blind, Breathing, Sick Cycle Carousel and From Where You Are

The highlight of the night was when they played Hanging By A Moment, it’s clearly the signature song/performance  of Lifehouse and I can say that this is one the classic alternative rock songs that we can play over and over again. Everyone at the Big Dome was singing it so loud to the point that we couldn’t hear Jason’s voice.

The night ended up with Halfway Gone and a very emotional version of Everything. Lifehouse touched 17 of their best songs, all hits that we’ll never forget. They engaged with the audience to remarkably level, giving a very intimate feel in such a big venue. The sound was good enough for an alternative rock concert. I even went to Upper Box B section and the sound level was good as well, proving that Lifehouse, Dayly Entertainment and That’s Entertainment cares enough to provide great production values. The only downside was the lack of video screens, but I’m sure no one left disappointed. What matters to all Lifehouse fans is that somehow a four-some band from other part of the world can captivate exactly what a lot of pinoy fans do with their lives and how they feel about it.

More photos at Lifehouse Live in Manila Photos

Lifehouse Live in Manila Concert Rating:

Sound – 9.5
Venue – 10
Setup – 9

Overall Production Values  – 9.5/10

Lifehouse live in Manila 2012 was presented by Dayly Entertainment and That’s Ntertainment Productions

Dont miss their next event  Snow Patrol live in Manila on August 9, 2012

Written by: Cen Sulit
Photos by: Glenn Michael Tan