MANILA, Philippines – The venue for their show, Kia Theater was much smaller compared to the Mall of Asia Arena where they had their third visit in the Philippines. Either way, the show was amazing although the show at Kia was more “intimate” because the fans are closer to their idol.
The show kicked off with “Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy” (electric drill song), a high intensity song which became more high energy driven with the running Makita cordless drills over the strings of bassist Billy Sheehan and guitarist Paul Gilbert.
Mr. Big was able to maintain the high energy among the crowd with song after song felt like the band was hitting a home run. Yes, its like knocking the ball out of the park.
Watch the concert highlights here:
Mr. Big’s concert did not only focus on their new album but also gave fans to a trip down memory lane.
The band played “Green Tinted Sixties Mind,” “Addicted to that Rush,” “Colorado Bulldog,” “Undertow,” “Take Cover” and of course the two songs that inspired this writer to learn how to play the guitar—“Wild World,” a remake of a Cat Stevens song and “To Be With You.”
They gave the fans a breather from singing and jumping when they sang “Just Take My Heart” and “Promise her the Moon.” Drummer Pat Torpey who has Parkinsons sat behind the drum kit only for “Just Take My Heart.”
Of course the band played tunes from their latest album Defying Gravity—“Everybody needs a little trouble,” “1992,” Damn I’m In Love Again,” and “Forever and Back.”
Each member of the band was amazing. Eric Martin was a consummate frontman. He has not changed one bit well except for his short hair. He plays off the high intensity of the crowd. Billy Sheehan was mind blowing. He is a virtuoso who, before Mr. Big played alongside guitar god Steve Vai. He had a more than seven minute solo that left me awestruck. He is a killer bassist. On the other hand, shredder Paul Gilbert is equally out of this world and his own more than 8 minute guitar solo left me in awe. Matt Star, on the other hand melded so well with the Mr. Big sound and of course Pat Torpey, who despite suffering from a mild onset Parkinson’s Disease opted to stay with the band sitting at the kit for “Just Take My Heart” and remains onstage for most of the set playing tambourine and additional percussion and singing background vocals.
As part of their finale, Mr. Big rotated with Paul Gilbert on the drums, Billy Sheehan and Matt Star on guitars, Eric Martin on base and Pat Torpey on vocals singing Joy To The World (Jeremiah Was A Bullfrog). Part of the song goes “Joy to the world, all the boys and girls, joy to the world, joy to you and me” and they did gave immense joy that the fans are already excited when they announced that they will return.
Written exclusively by INQUIRER.net reporter Tetch Torres-Tupas for InqPOP!
