All Time Low has always been one of my favorite bands since their debut album, The Party Scene. Their last show in Manila brought them to an all time high at Bazooka Rocks, prompting a headliner show of their own for 2015. Just when fans thought things couldn’t get any better, the concert was announced to be in conjunction with another genre favorite, The Maine.

The much anticipated Future Hearts Tour from the Baltimore pop punkers finally happened on August 12th with a sold out show at the MOA Arena.

Some may be wondering what the initial hold-up was before the show began. Sources tell us that due to the surge forward in the VIP section’s eagerness to get a good spot by the barricade, security measures had to be initiated to minimize threats to concert-goers’ safety. As per the security team, they were simply doing their job of keeping the concert-goers safe.

The anticipation of them coming on was long but definitely worth the wait. When The Maine came out, all of the instruments, lighting, and vocals were satisfyingly on point.

In their relatively short 10-song set, The Maine gave a high-voltage performance that ended with frontman John O’Callaghan climbing onto the huge monitor speakers. The band expressed their gratitude to be back in Manila. They also reminded fans to take care of each other at all times.

Moments after their set, Zack, Rian, Jack, and Alex immediately redeemed themselves by starting off their set with Satellite, a track off their latest album Future Hearts, followed by The Irony of Choking on A Lifesaver. Guitarist Jack Barakat was quick to joke that the delay was caused by him enjoying a bit too much alone time.

It was The Maine’s fifth time in Manila and All Time Low’s third. Both gave off great energy onstage. Their songs and commands by the lead singers, John and Alex led the crowd to sing, dance, jump, and sway along with ease.

Of course, it’s not an All Time Low concert without flying bras from the Hustlers in attendance. Keeping with tradition, the band gathered the lacy gifts and hung them on their mic stands.

All Time Low got Manila on their feet with upbeat tunes like Lost in Stereo, Stella, Damned If I Do Ya (Damned If I Don’t) and Weightless, all-time favorite hits that could always bring the heat up before slowing the set down.

Mid-set songs brought a slower, mellow mood to the set. This included one of my favorites, Therapy which Alex performed alone with acoustic guitar. Alex followed it up with Missing You, a track from their new album. I was expecting to hear Remembering Sunday, but it was also good to know that they made way for their new songs like Tidal Waves. During this slower portion of the set, the crowd lit up their mobile phones while singing, lighting up the MOA Arena with a sea of flashlights.

Much to the audience’s delight, the band pulled fans up onstage to jam with them for the song Time Bomb. The end of the set drove the crowd wild with Jasey Rae and (surprisingly,) covers of Green Day’s American Idiot and Journey’s Don’t Stop Believing. Dear Maria, Count Me In plunged Manila into a frenzy that left the crowd far from ready to say goodbye.

As far as stage design goes, the no-frills setup was a welcome sight. The initially all-black backdrop gave way to All Time Low’s giant curtain with multiple spotlights that set the stage aglow. It didn’t take away from the music that was enough to bring us to a different world. The stage presence that The Maine and All Time Low gave off was incredible and it was clear that the everyone got lost in the music. To top off an already stellar night, Dear Maria ended with Pulp Live World’s signature move, a huge confetti blizzard.

It’s at times like this that we appreciate Pulp Live World’s inclination to give their Royalty more bang for their buck. Despite ticket prices being attainable, privileges included soundcheck access, goodie bags, front row seats, and meet and greet passes.

All Time Low generally has a reputation for putting on amazing shows, and they definitely lived up to it. After seeing them thrice in Manila, the Future Hearts Tour at the MOA Arena will go down in our book as their best Manila visit yet!

More Photos at All Time Low + The Maine Live in Manila Photo Gallery

Special Thanks to Pulp Live World

Written by Cen Bernardo
Photos by Carla Barretto

The Maine Live in Manila Setlist
Miles Away
Run
Growing Up
Inside of You
Misery
Same Suit
Like We Did
English Girls
American Candy

All Time Low Live in Manila Setlist
Satellite
The Irony of Choking on a Lifesaver
Lost In Stereo
Stella
Damned If I Do Ya (Damned If I Don't)
Runaways
Weightless
Tidal Waves
Therapy
Missing You
The Reckless and The Brave
A Love Like War
Backseat Serenade
Time Bomb
Something's Gotta Give
Kids In The Dark
Jasey Rae
American Idiot (Greenday)
Dear Maria, Count Me In