Stray Kids’ PH concert: ‘Manila, you’ve filled us with so much energy and happiness’

Mar 14, 2023 07:11 AM

After nearly four years, K-pop boy band Stray Kids returned to the concert scene in Manila with a two-day show that mesmerized about 18,000 fans.

Stray Kids made up for their long absence with their “Maniac” second world tour held on March 11 and 12 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

K-pop group Stray Kids' "Maniac" concert in Manila on March 11 (Jonathan Hicap)

Stray Kids in Manila (Twitter)

It was in April 2019 when they held their “Unveil Tour ‘I Am…’” concert in Manila but the pandemic scuttled their plan to hold another tour in the country in 2020.

The “Maniac” tour showcased a grand stage design and a live band to accompany Stray Kids.

Pinoy fans filled the arena with their loud cheers, prompting Bang Chan to say, “You guys are very, very energetic today.”

Stray Kids were in the country last January for a fan meeting.

“And to have our tour here, it’s been a very, very long time … last time we came to Manila,” added Bang Chan.

Stray Kids opened their Manila concert with “Maniac” and “Venom,” two tracks in the March 2022 “Oddinary” album, followed by “Red Lights,” originally sung by Bang Chan and Hyun Jin for the 2021 “NOEASY” album.

The concert also showcased Stray Kids performing “Easy,” “All In,” “District 9,” “”Back Door,” “Charmer,” “Lonely St.,” “Side Effects,” “Thunderous,” “Domino,” “God’s Menu,” “Cheese,” “Yayaya” and “Rock.”

We promise to stay together ALWAYS. Because we are your Neverending Stay and you are our Neverending Stray Kids.

Watch the full #MANIACinMANILA2023 VCR here: https://t.co/84N2x3Xktv #SKZinMNL2023 #SKZinManila2023 pic.twitter.com/xMSOa2NBHt
— All For SKZ PH (@allforskzph) March 13, 2023

“We still have so much to show. We’re only just getting started,” said Felix.

Bang Chan, Lee Know, Seungmin and I.N then performed the slow song “Waiting for Us.”

“‘Waiting for Us’ is a song that is about really missing . . . especially at this moment because we had a thing called Covid-19. I mean because we really missed you guys. We really put that message into the song that we made together,” said Bang Chan.

Bang Chan sang “Ikaw” by Yeng Constantino on the second day of the concert.

Stray Kids in Manila (Twitter)

Next were Changbin, Hyunjin, Han and Felix who sang “Muddy Water.” Stray Kids also performed “Case 143,” “Hellevator,” “Top” and “Victory Song.”

“This passing time, I was really happy to have spent with you guys. Thank you so much for your wonderful cheers, dancing with us and also your flashlights a while ago. I don’t know when we can meet again next time. Please don’t be sad. We will be the greatest artist of the world and the universe when we come back here. Babalikan namin kayo (We will come back to you),” said Lee Know.

According to I.N, “I am really happy that we were able to come back here with our concert in the Philippines.”

He revealed that during the fan meeting in Manila last January, they almost didn’t perform live at the event.

“But actually we argued with the team that we have to do live for our Stays,” he said.

I.N said, “I hope that the stages that we had today were much better than the stages we had before. I’ll make sure that we will come back. Maraming salamat (Thank you).”

Chan's reaction vid ❤️✨️ https://t.co/BCXgmjtTI6 pic.twitter.com/N97UhpqShm
— 𝕡𝕠𝕝𝕒 | Ligaya't pagibig ko'y si Chan 🐺✨️ (@Pyoola_) March 13, 2023

“I feel like today was truly the chance to meet Stays who have not been to our concert or have not seen us in such a long time. I feel like today’s a very good day. I feel like just being here, the last time that we came here was very beautiful and I can see why people are so very loving and very cheerful,” said Felix.

Bang Chan said, “I had such a great time today. I’m just really relieved that we could be able to meet each other again. Because it’s been such a long time since we met each other. Thank you so much for coming to our concert.”

“The energy that I am feeling from you guys is on a different level. We’ll see you guys soon,” he added.

Hyunjin said, “Walang uuwi (No one’s going to go home). Thank you so much for making a great memory for us, Stays. For this ‘Maniac’ tour, we have been actually going on tour for a very long, for almost a year. Among the ‘Maniac’ tours that I had, I guess today will be unforgettable. So I really want to come back again. Sobrang mamimiss ko kayo (I will miss you so much).”

“I came back here in the Philippines with a lot of expectations. And you guys never changed. You gave us another great memory again today. I think today will be unforgettable. Thank you so much for coming and I feel so happy that I could do my best today,” said Seungmin, who, before coming to the Philippines, showed symptoms of enteritis and went to the hospital for treatment, according to JYP Entertainment, Stray Kids’ agency.

Changbin said, “I’m really happy that I could feel your cheers like wonderful cheers once again. It’s an amazing feeling that you can never feel unless you stand here on the stage. Thank you so much and we will make sure to come back soon. Mahal ko kayo (I love you).”

Han, who, like Seungmin, had to go to a hospital for treatment before coming to Manila, apologized as he had to sit on a chair almost the entire concert and was unable to join Stray Kids during the performances.

“First of all, I know you guys hate to hear this word, ‘I’m sorry.’ I’m sorry that I made you guys worry about me. I know you guys were really worried about my condition issues. But guys I really feel okay. I’m feeling great,” he said.

Stray Kids wrapped up the concert with “Fam,” “Miroh,” “Star Lost” and “Haven.”

“Manila, you’ve filled us with so much energy and happiness. Thank you Manila STAY,” said Stray Kids in a Twitter post after the concert.

The Stray Kids’ “Maniac” second world tour in Manila was presented by Pulp Live World.

Stray Kids in Manila (Pulp)