“Homecoming Concert” wraps Ben&Ben record-breaking year
With their longest and most ambitious set yet, Ben&Ben wrapped up 2022 with their last act, Homecoming Concert last December 18 at SMDC Festival Grounds, Parañaque.
The record-breaking artists wanted their homecoming concert, formerly known as Send-Off to serve as their gratitude for the Liwanags who supported them right at the bat. And at the same time, for those who stayed through their hard-earned popularity. Thankfully, Ovation Productions invited us to witness this heartwarming moment between the nine-piece band and their fans.
Homecoming Concert wraps Ben&Ben record-breaking year
Photo | Jericka Daz / Edit | Carla Mendoza
Indie singer Clara Benin sang three of her songs, Parallel Universe, Be My Thrill, and Araw’ Gabi for the band’s front act. Her beautiful voice enveloped the large open space as the night goes deeper.
Photo | Jericka Daz / Edit | Carla Mendoza
Ben&Ben started the memorable night, with their hit song Langyang Pag-ibig which Liwanags reciprocated with the same intensity of cheers and screams. The set consists of 25 songs, including their other hit songs Araw-Araw, Paninindigan Kita, Ride Home, Leaves, and more.
Jam-packed Concert Venue
With 65,000 attendees capacity, SMDC Festival Grounds appears to be small for the Liwanags who flocked to the venue. Despite the bad weather and hours of waiting, fans came alone or with their families and friends.
But of course, some are blessed to have witnessed the band’s biggest concert yet with their someone special, who chose them every single day.
Although complaints regarding the poor organization, long lines, and food options arose, Liwanags showed how much they love the band. Loud cheers and screams are heard throughout the 3-hours concert, even from where the Paninindigan Kita seats are located.
Attendees enjoyed the night by singing along with every song. Everyone did their assignment and not even a single song was played without the fans singing along. And it was all worth it because Ben&Ben performed with their highest energy from the start, up to their last song.
Concept-wise? It’s perfect!
Home is what the nine-piece band wanted the Liwanags to feel while enjoying the show. And what do you expect? The “Paninindigan Kita” hitmakers did not disappoint even a tiny bit. Ben&Ben gave the fans a night to remember through a perfectly crafted set list that envelopes a roller coaster ride of emotions and messages.
What makes it even more noteworthy, each song has a meaning of its own. Each reflects different struggles, pain, issues, and topics that one might encounter while searching for a sense of home. With the help of the lights and props that they have prepared, the band delivered each song perfectly.
As a gift for the fans who strove through the rain and pain from standing for hours, Ben&Ben serenades the crowd with an unreleased song entitled, “Comets”.
“Minsan may mga tao sa buhay natin na dumadaan lang” said Miguel, while introducing the unreleased song to the adoring crowd
Guest performers KZ Tandingan, Zild, and Juan Karlos Labajo open the second set of the concert by performing the songs Sabel and Lunod respectively. With the presence of these talented artists, what more could a Liwanag have asked for? Performance? Check! Vocals? Check! Stage Presence? Check! Props and Lighting? Check!
Ben&Ben fan service was top-tier, the rain mist did not stop the attendees from shouting their cheers of appreciation and admiration while swaying to the multi-awarded artists’ music and singing to their heart’s content
Unexpected Surprises
“Meron kaming bagong way ng pagsasabi ng mahal kita. Mahal, Paninindigan Kita!”
Ben&Ben introduced their hit song “Paninindigan Kita” as a new way of saying I love you to a special someone. As a result, one of the audience took the opportunity to propose in the middle of the band’s performance. It was later mentioned by the twins that indeed, a proposal happened while they were performing the song of assurance and sincerity.
What makes this interesting and unforgettable, while Ben&Ben were performing their last song for the night, “Araw-Araw”, another proposal happened at the back of the cheering crowd. The second proposal was congratulated by colorful fireworks that marked the end of the homecoming concert.
Ben&Ben will be performing next year at the Clockenflap Music and Arts Festival which is set to happen in Hong Kong on March 3 to 5 next year. Classic bands such as Arctic Monkeys and Phoenix are also performing.
Abegail is a nocturnal writer who loves watching videos of dogs and cats as her stress reliever. While she loves telling people different kinds of stories, she was never a bookworm to the core. Abegail would rather watch a thousand videos of funny dogs and cats instead of finishing a book with only 300 pages that was in her care for years. Fueled by iced coffee and meals, Abegail is also a part-time k-pop stan and a full-time fur mom.