We were almost close to missing Demi's concert. The series of unfortunate events began to roll out on the day we were scheduled to fly to Manila which happened to be on the same day of the concert with at least 4 hours interval. Having checked in two hours earlier I didn't encounter any problem on my end except my companion, Sabrina didn't arrive till the check-in counter closed. Waiting at the boarding lounge, morose and anxious about having to fly alone I fretted for my companion missing her flight and having to book another ticket. Alas she came after much convincing from the ground crew to let her through.
We arrived in Manila at 6 pm because our flight was an hour delayed. With that we happily proceeded to the taxi stand thinking we could just hail a cab and breeze our way through traffic. NOT. The taxi lane had a long and winding wait and we only had 1 hour till showtime. Needless to say we got on a cab and I asked the driver to floor it. We made it to the Arena just in time her opening act began. Lesson learned never fly on the same day you're expected to attend an event.
The arena was filled with frenzied teenagers clamoring and eager for the pop star (count me in!). She belted out tracks from her latest eponymous album and crooned acoustic renditions of throwback hits such as Get Back (the first Demi song I liked circa high school days), Don't Forget/Catch Me. Showing of her vocal prowess she went above and beyond her notes sustaining the crowd's energy evident in the audience's intensified shrieks.
Demi always brought with her a striking stage presence and a beguiling warmth that made her instantly likable to the audience. Showing candid moments, in between tracks she pointed out to a 5-year old girl in the crowd who was wearing her merchandise shirt gushing to her "Sorry I get easily distracted". She wasn't big on theatrics her production didn't have over the top pyrotechnics, stunts or added frills proving gimmickry as unnecessary. Demi's set composed only of 2 back-up singers, a 4-man band and featuring her powerful voice, no more no less. With Demi's infectious energy and amazing vocals it was everything I hoped for and more.
Like most of her concerts Demi asked us to turn our flashlights on and hold our phones up as she introduced her R&B ballad My Love is Like a Star.
Demi segued to each track clocking in at 9:40 pm speeding through the whole 75 minutes. That would have been the shortest concert I have attended, from what I heard from avid concert goers concerts usually stretch on for 2 hours but I guess that's just how Demi's set list goes. Nevertheless taking all the fuss to see Demi Lovato in concert in order to finally cross my bucket list is a great fulfillment itself. In one of her ad lib Demi said she never expected this side of the world to enjoy her music, I too never expected to be at the same venue watching her perform.
To this day whenever I listen to her songs I still could not believe seeing and listening to her live. She sounds amazing as she is on record. And so I thank you Demi for giving me an experience of a lifetime.
Photo credits to Sab
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