Sometimes you find great music. Other times, it feels as though the music finds you.
When I first saw the hit anime movie Your Name in 2016, it was love at first sight. Having already seen many Ghibli and Makoto Shinkai films, this one blew my mind and warmed my heart. Watching it right after work, I was still in my office chair, half-crying during the ending when Mitsuha and Taki finally met again on the stairs of Suga Shrine. It truly felt like I had stumbled upon a gem.
A major part of the movie’s success was its soundtrack, but I was so captivated by the storytelling that I barely noticed the music. I’m not usually one to focus on soundtracks. If I like the music, great; if not, that’s okay too.
It was in 2018 that I deeply fell in love with RADWIMPS. It was a hectic day at work when one of my new colleagues played Sparkle over the speakers. Wait, why is that song familiar?… and then it hit me—it was from the movie’s soundtrack! Just like that, a new friendship blossomed, rooted in our shared love for anime. Otaku ftw, HAHA!
Around that same time, I was gearing up for a climb up one of Panay’s toughest mountains, Baloy-daku. As part of my training, I committed to walking the nearly 11km from work to home. At that time, there were a lot of road works—overpass construction, road widening, and underpass projects—making what was usually a 45-minute commute stretch to almost two hours. Walking seemed like the perfect solution. And what better way to entertain myself during those walks than by blasting the Kimi No Nawa soundtrack through my earbuds?
In 2019, Makoto Shinkai released another masterpiece, Weathering with You, and once again, RADWIMPS was behind the stunning soundtrack. Grand Escape quickly became my anthem, reminiscent of those good old days.
But as it often goes with songs that get stuck on repeat, my obsession with RADWIMPS eventually faded. With the release of Taylor Swift’s Lover album, Ed Sheeran’s collaborations, and ONE OK ROCK’s Eye of the Storm, my playlist evolved and diversified.
Then the Pandemic Happened
As someone who has always found refuge outdoors, being stuck indoors really threw me up a loop. Where could I find peace amid the chaos? How could I calm my racing thoughts? How could I just breathe?
Transitioning to working online meant I was glued to my computer from, believe it or not, five in the morning until ten at night. Yes, it was as intense as it sounds. That’s what led to the back pain I eventually had to deal with. Thankfully, this prompted me to start taking morning walks, which evolved into running marathons once lockdowns and travel restrictions were lifted.
It was in these tumultuous times that I met RADWIMPS once again—on YouTube. I’m not sure what I was initially searching for that day, but I stumbled upon the orchestral version of the Kimi No Nawa soundtrack. The music had always been a treat during my walks and while watching the movie, but hearing it performed live was a whole new experience. It sounded so incredibly good that I got goosebumps from just watching it.
From that video, I found myself searching for more live performances until I came across their show at FES18. While their song Banzai Senshou lifted my spirits, Seikai moved me to tears. Who would have thought that songs in a language I barely understand could resonate so deeply?
Like many others, I was bored and started to learn more about the band members, something I don’t usually do since I’m not big on the whole fangirl thing. I generally like music for the music. But I couldn’t help noticing how handsome Yojiro looked playing the piano. My heart just couldn’t resist, especially when they released Is There Anything Love Can Do? and Iron Feather. Marupok ka, ghurl?
Then I stumbled upon a Facebook group for fans—and that’s when my serious fangirling days began. In that group, I learned all about the band members, including their hilarious antics, controversial moments, and other insider info. We were so invested in the band that we even decided to start saving for a trip to Japan—not for sightseeing but specifically to see them perform live since the chances of them coming to the Philippines seemed pretty slim. There was even a moment during an Instagram Live when Yojiro asked where Manila was—ah, to live in an unknown country. HAHA.
RADWIMPS “The Way You Yawn, And the Outcry of Peace” WORLD TOUR 2024
It was fun while it lasted. The Facebook page stayed up and our group chat remained active, but post-pandemic, things just weren’t as lively. We eventually all moved on with our lives, catching up only occasionally in random chats.
Then, out of the blue, came the thrilling announcement from PULP: RADWIMPS was bringing their “The Way You Yawn, And The Outcry of Peace” WORLD TOUR to the Philippines. It felt like a dream about to come true.
And just as RADWIMPS’ songs once found their way to me, it seemed the universe conspired to make this happen. Thanks to the savings I’d tucked away during the pandemic for a potential Japan trip to see the band, I was able to secure a Platinum ticket. And as if that weren’t enough, I also got a queuing number that put me among the first 500 people to enter the concert venue. Lord, what have I done to deserve this? 😭😭😭
Pinch Me, RADWIMPS in Manila 2024 Still Feels Like a Dream
Like I did for the ONE OK ROCK and Ed Sheeran concerts, my initial plan was to make a day trip to Manila and head home right after the show. But remembering the exhausting day I had with Christine when we visited the Pinto Museum before standing at a concert from 4pm to 10pm, I knew I needed to save my energy this time. So, I decided to skip any side trips and focus solely my energy on the concert.
I arrived in Manila at 2pm and got to the SMART Araneta Coliseum by 4pm. After a quick meal, I joined the queue. By 6pm, we were inside the venue, and I couldn’t help but feel emotional. Back at the OOR concert, I was seated far back in the general admission section, but here I was just a few rows from the stage. “Kita ko na pores ni Tito,” I joked to my friends in the GC.
Unfortunately, my friends didn’t get the same great spot as I did, so like at previous concerts, I was on my own—or so I thought. While waiting two hours for the band to take the stage, I was ‘adopted’ by fellow RADWIMPS fans. They were incredibly kind, taking turns snapping photos, sharing their band faves, and keeping the energy high throughout the show. Gosh, Gen Zs and their energy. Gimme! Gimme!
The moment the band took the stage and kicked off with their first song, Lights Go Out, I completely lost it. Shit! Shit! This is the voice I’ve been listening to on YouTube! He’s real! Even though it was an upbeat song, tears were already welling up in my eyes.
The energy was electric, everyone jumping and screaming, until Yojiro sat down at the piano and began playing the intro to Is There Still Anything Love Can Do? The crowd instantly fell silent. Peste. Peste. Kanindot. It was pure eargasm.
When they followed up with Suzume, featuring Toaka, I stood there in silence, savoring everything all at once. Her voice was truly heavenly. Lord, nung namigay ng boses, nag-hike ba ako or nag-marathon?
I’ll admit, there are days when I question if this life is still worth living. But just like the epiphany during Ed Sheeran’s concert last March, I can’t help but thank God for keeping me sane and alive to watch RADWIMPS perform live to witness these moments. What a time indeed to be alive.
The concert lasted two hours with minimal interaction with the audience, as the band was laser-focused on delivering their music. And it was such a treat for all Filipino fans. Who would have thought they’d include the Philippines in the Asia leg of their tour? Like them, I was also surprised by the number of fans who showed up. It was a sold-out show, with tickets gone within just two hours of going on sale.
While the band’s 18-song set felt all too brief, especially since they didn’t play favorites like Grand Escape, Seikai, and Banzai Senshou, it was still the concert of a lifetime—an emotional audio-visual journey through time and space.
Right now, I’m deep in PCD mode. I’m not ready to move on, so I keep feeding my social media algorithm with TikTok clips, Facebook videos, and tweets from the event. I know this feeling will pass eventually, like most things in life. But the memory of seeing Yojiro up close, going wild with Takeda’s bass guitar antics, laughing with Kuwa, and headbanging with substitute drummers Mizuki Mori and Masafumi Eno will always stay with me. And Toaka—I hope she gets the musical recognition she truly deserves. Maybe a solo concert in the future?
I also hope to fulfill Yojiro’s wish for us: to stay healthy—physically, mentally, and emotionally—until they return for another concert. Until then, let’s keep living this grand escape of a lifetime.
RADWIMPS in Manila 2024 Setlist
- Lights Go Out
- NEVER EVER ENDER
- Darma Grand Prix
- September San
- Nanoka
- Is There Still Anything That Love Can Do?
- Suzume (featuring Toaka)
- DADA
- G-Koui
- Oshakashama
- Katawaredoki
- Sparkle
- Zenzenzense
- Yuushinron
- Iindesuka?
- Kimi To Hitsuji To Ao
- Nandemonaiya
- 05410-(n)
Dakilanglaagan 