By April Ann De Guzman for INQPOP!
Delayed schedules and stalled flights proved to be a non-factor as the indomitable fans flocked to the Samsung Hall of SM Aura, Taguig last November 28, 2015 for the annual Bazooka Rocks Festival (BRF), the Philippines first ever indoor music festival. Now on its fifth year, BRF has leveled up its “intimacy” between the bands and the fans and offered plenty of fan activities such as Guitar Hero challenge with a chosen band member, hotdog-eating challenge and private dinner in addition to meet and greet/signing passes, photo booth and selfie fests as a Pulp Royalty perk.
The party kicked off as the homegrown bands Absolute Play, Sirens, Faintlight and Fastpitch took the stage and brought the house down with all their might. Even though most of the attendees are probably more excited on seeing and meeting the international acts in the lineup, attending music festivals also open the possibility of finding your new favourite bands and getting to discover new music and these bands are not to be missed. I particularly enjoyed Sirens’ set and was very delighted to have met them afterwards as they are all very chill and mostly fun to talk with. These local bands are the future of our music industry and it is but appropriate to support them as well and so are the fans, whose choices are also what’s going to mold the music scene’s future as Gabby Alipe, vocalist of local co-headlining band Urbandub has stated during their set later that evening.
First among the international bands to hit the stage is French band and a first-timer in Manila, Chunk! No, Captain Chunk. They have performed hits after hits (“Haters Gonna Hate”, a cover of “All Star”, etc.), with frontman Bert Poncet even charming his way to the crowd by saying Filipino phrases like “Inuman na!” and “Salamat po!”.
Nick Santino (former frontman of the now defunct band A Rocket to the Moon) and his new band Beach Weather were also set to perform but due to flight problems were unfortunately not able to attend the festival. They have recorded as special video performing Rebel Sun off their EP called What A Drag and promised to make up for the lost time in the future.
Next is This Century, whose looming disbandment has made the crowd very emotional as they sing along with the latest from the album Soul Sucker to the oldies like Run and Hide, Beach Blonde, My Weakness and Everywhere, Everything. This is said to be their farewell gig in Manila.
Taking the stage next is the pride of the queen city of the South, Urbandub. This is also one of their last few gigs left as they are also set to disband by the end of the year to focus on their families and other endeavors.
This year’s headlining band, Never Shout Never topped the night with a couple of hits (California, Magic, Black Cat, I Love You More Than You Will and Time Travel), an Imagine (The Beatles) cover (my favourite!!!) and Chris Drew showing off his skills playing one instrument to another (electric guitars, ukulele and harmonica).
It was truly a night of fun, nostalgia and celebration of good old rock music. The night may have already ended but memories have been made and they truly are to be treasured forever.
Bazooka Rocks 4: Royal Rumble is presented by Pulp Live World.