UK pop punk band Neck Deep performed for the first time in Manila last night at the SM Skydome. The Philippines is the last country in the Southeast Asian leg of their 2016 world tour in support of their latest album, “Life’s Not Out To Get You,” released August of last year.
Neck Deep hails from Wrexham, a town in Wales known for its rock, indie, and alternative music scene. Comprised of vocalist Ben Barlow, guitarists Matt West and Sam Bowden, bassist Fil Thorpe-Evans, and drummer Dani Washington, the band opened their set hard with Citizens Of Earth, Losing Teeth, and Gold Steps. The crowd surged forward and it wasn’t long before the mosh pit started going.
Neck Deep didn’t let up and went straight to Crushing Grief, Over And Over, Serpents, and fan favorite December. The crowd responded with fervor, singing along and crowd surfing. The pit now resembled a scene out of The Walking Dead.
The band rested a bit, engaging in friendly banter with the audience. They gave away t-shirts to the crowd’s delight. All pumped up and fully recharged, the set continued with Lime St, Growing Pains, and What Did You Expect. The crowd coalesced into a sea of slamming bodies and flailing limbs.
Barlow requested everyone to pull out their phones for A Part Of Me. The fans obliged and sang along at the top of their lungs. Neck Deep ended their concert with Kali Ma and Can’t Kick Up The Roots. Their fans exited the Skydome amped and sweaty. Neck Deep showed their fans just how much fun a simple punk show can be.