A1’s Manila Concert Was a Nostalgic Time Portal to the 2000s
It's the same old, but brand new them.
(SPOT.ph) Boy bands like A1 walked so that others may run. From swoon-worthy looks and moves to, of course, pop songs that hit, there's something about the '90s to early 2000s' boy bands that can't be replicated. Trust me. I had the chance to watch A1 at New Frontier Theater for one of the band’s weekend shows in Manila—and it was as if a time capsule had burst open.
This is the British-Norwegian boy group’s fifth time in Manila, having performed in 2001, 2012, 2016 (without Paul Marazzi), and 2018 in the past. Now they're in their 40s—three of them with kids—but they managed to come together to celebrate A1's 25th anniversary with a world tour.
A1’s Twenty Five Tour was nothing short of a nostalgic throwback to the best tunes of their time. Original members Paul Marazzi, Christian Ingebrigtsen, Mark Read, and Ben Adams gave Filipino fans a chance to relieve simpler times.
Adding to the experience was the fact that A1’s music videos were playing on the huge LED screen while they performed the songs. Seeing them so young on screen, then so mature on stage, was a heartwarming fusion of past and present. It became more than a visual accompaniment at that moment. The screens brought the '00s back to life, making it feel as if time had stood still for just a little while. It triggered a strong sense of nostalgia I didn’t even know I had for them.
What’s great about A1 is that they aren’t just banking on pure nostalgia to fuel the group's success. They had just released a new single “Call Me When You Land” in September—a testament to A1's ongoing musical journey from then until now.
The entire concert was also a tribute to other boy bands that have left a big mark on the music industry. A1 sang a medley of boyband classics like Backstreet Boys’ “I Want It That Way,” NSYNC's "This I Promise You," and A-ha’s “Take On Me.” Of course, it wouldn’t be complete without a contemporary entry like One Direction’s “Story Of My Life.” A1 even expressed enthusiasm about a possible collaboration with the Philippines’ very own SB19 and Ben&Ben while they were in Manila.
Also read: On Spotify, Millennials Listen to Nostalgia to Beat Pandemic Blues
A1 songs in the Manila concert that brought us back to the 2000s
Missed the concert? Don’t worry as A1 is almost sure to come back to the Philippines in the future. There's nothing stopping them from a sixth visit when it's the allure of Filipino fans we're talking about here.
In the meantime, listen to some of the most nostalgia-inducing songs from A1’s setlist in Manila to ease your FOMO.
"Same Old Brand New You"
"Summertime of Our Lives"
"Everytime"
"Ready or Not"
"Heaven by Your Side"
"Caught in the Middle"
"One Last Song"
"Walking in the Rain"
"Like a Rose"
"Take On Me"
Also read: Alanis Morissette's PH Concert Is a Love Letter to Our '90s Selves