In the Mix united concertgoers of different genres and age groups for an unforgettable night. They indulged in six performances from late afternoon until early the next day.

Scotland natives Twin Pines opened the show and started the party. Though they have yet to release their debut album, these Scottish musicians have already gone across the globe—to Manila—to play a show. Goes to show how much they’ve accomplished since beginning the band.

Elle King performed next and wowed the crowd with her unique sound. And boy, can she sing! From belting out the high notes to singing in a more rugged tone, her music is something that needs to be experienced live. What contributes to the uniqueness of her sound is that her guitars have a blues or country rock vibe, which she matches her distinct vocal tone.

“Welcome to In the Mix!” said host Rico Robles as he subsequently proceeded to pump up the crowd while they waited for the next performer. He facilitated trivia games and activities that gave concertgoers a chance to win prizes and a coveted meet and greet pass. During these moments, he highlighted the latest concert accessory of the crowd: an LED bracelet that would light up in sync to the music. Talk about the coolest concert innovation!

When Third Eye Blind appeared on stage, they pulled the crowd back to the 90’s.
Lead singer Stephan Jenkins’ get-up was reminiscent of this era. He even paired his look with sun glasses, which gave him that rock n’ roll vibe. “We came half way around the world for this moment right here, right now,” he said. And that’s what live shows are all about really: being in the moment. “We came to get down.”

Third Eye Blind sent waves of nostalgia when they played their hits Jumper. Semi-Charmed Life and Never Let You Go—obvious crowd favourites. “We don’t have backing tracks,” Stephan commented. “This is a rock band!” They stuck with nothing but their instruments to showcase their talent.Third Eye Blind has been a band for a long time now, but their age doesn’t show with the energy they have on stage.

Even before Panic! At The Disco took the stage, the arena was already echoing with excitement. The stage was dark. An a capella version Black Eyed Pea’s Pump It blared through the speakers, igniting more screams from the crowd. The stage exploded in color as the band opened with Don’t Threaten Me With a Good Time. A whoosh of confetti flew to the crowd during the first song—like a premonition that Panic! At The Disco’s set was nothing short of epic: from their amazing Bohemian Rhapsody cover that showcased the talent they have as a band and Brendon’s superb vocal abilities, a shirtless Brendon doing a backflip, and their Victorious anthem also ending with a confetti blizzard.

James Bay entered the stage with his signature look—a black fedora hat—and went straight for the runaway portion of the stage hyping up the crowd with his guitar showmanship. It was his first time in Manila and celebrated this by wearing a jacket with the design of the Philippine flag. James transformed the arena’s buzzing high energy into that of his own style. The crowd was mesmerised with his guitar skills and ability to take them into a mellower yet still electrified state. He translated the emotions of his songs into his live performance and when he covered Proud Mary, he launched into a guitar solo that left everyone in awe.

By the time The 1975 graced the stage, the crowd was ready to go bonkers. Without a doubt, this was the band everyone had been waiting for. They received the loudest screams and the crowd’s energy peaked—the climax of the concert. If there’s something about The 1975, it’s that they give one heck of a live performance that leaves the crowd wanting more.

As the name of the concert suggests, the artists in the line-up were diverse in sound and genre, but each brought their spectacular flare in the mix. That night, concertgoers united for one thing: the music. That night, Manila was victorious.

Overall, the festival was an amazing experience for everyone. For one night only, six acts performed from the heart and put smiles on the audience members’ faces. The concert made the wishes of fans come true because they saw some of their favorite artists in one show.

More Photos at In The Mix Concert Photo Gallery

Special Thanks to MMI Live and Ovation Productions

Written by Isabel Matias
Photos by Carla Barretto