Fil-Am superstar ignites the Philippine Arena despite traffic chaos, delivering a high-energy show with phenomenal vocals
When around 40 thousand people gathered at the Philippine Arena to see the global superstar Bruno Mars, I knew to expect some things, including a potentially horrendous traffic situation. My previous experience attending Harry Styles’ Love On Tour concert in March made me almost miss the opening due to traffic.
So, for the first day of the Bruno Mars concert on Saturday, June 24, I made sure to leave much earlier. I left Quezon City at 3:30 p.m. for a 7:00 p.m. concert, thinking that was already early enough. Little did I know, I was in for a surprise.
It took me until 8:00 p.m. to reach the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan, and I finally managed to enter the venue at 8:30 p.m. Unfortunately, my companion was left behind looking for parking and missed the show entirely.
By the time I arrived at the concert venue, Bruno Mars was already in full swing, captivating the audience with his electrifying performance of “Runaway Baby,” his 12th song of the night (there were 18 songs in the setlist).
Although I had missed the opening number “24K Magic,” and the iconic songs “Billionaire,” “Versace on the Floor,” and the beloved “Marry You,” I could still feel the palpable energy that filled the arena. The crowd was on their feet, dancing and singing along to every beat.
I wasn’t alone in my frustrations and concerns. Like many others, I took to Twitter to check if the concert had already started and even tagged the concert promoter, Live Nation Philippines, hoping for a potential delay (baka lang naman).
According to a colleague who managed to enter the venue on time, the show started with Bruno Mars greeting the crowd, saying, “What’s up, okay ba kayo?” He expressed his love for the Philippines and aimed to keep the audience singing and dancing throughout the night.
While I missed some of the initial interactions, I did get to experience Bruno Mars engaging with the crowd. He asked, “Masaya ba kayo?” before launching into a medley of hits he had worked on, including “F**k You” by CeeLo Green, “Young, Wild & Free” by Wiz Khalifa, “Grenade” with an extra request for dramatic smoke, “Talking to the Moon,” “Nothin’ On You” by B.o.B., and the soulful “Leave the Door Open” by Silk Sonic.
Songs like “When I Was Your Man,” which Bruno Mars revealed as one of his most challenging to sing, “Locked Out of Heaven,” and “Just The Way You Are” were equally captivating, with Fil-Am singer exuding boundless energy as if he had just opened the show.
Bruno Mars’ stage presence was simply mesmerizing. His energy was infectious, radiating from every move he made. From his electrifying dance routines to his interactions with the crowd, he commanded the stage with confidence and charisma. It was clear that he was giving his all, pouring his heart and soul into every performance.
But it wasn’t just his stage presence that captivated the audience. Bruno Mars’ vocals were in top shape, delivering powerful and soulful renditions of his hit songs. As he effortlessly transitioned between high-energy dance tracks and heartfelt ballads, his voice soared through the arena, resonating with every member of the audience. His vocal control and range were truly impressive, showcasing his versatility as an artist.
Throughout the concert, Bruno Mars made sure to engage with the crowd, constantly interacting and connecting with his fans. He kept the energy levels high, urging the audience to sing along, dance, and participate in the experience. With his infectious smile and genuine enthusiasm, he created a sense of unity and joy within the arena.
The combination of Bruno Mars’ boundless energy and his impeccable vocal performance created an unforgettable concert experience. Despite the challenging journey to the venue, the seven songs I got to witness were more than enough to pacify my earlier annoyance caused by the travel time. Bruno Mars’ dedication to his craft and his ability to captivate a massive crowd reaffirmed why he is a global superstar.
Images courtesy of Live Nation Philippines