Dannyka Manangan

Japanese rock band My First Story rocks Manila in high-energy concert

Article (news)

Nikka Avegail Sabio

Push Team

<p>It was a night of electrifying energy and unforgettable music as Japanese rock band My First Story successfully held their much-anticipated first-ever Manila show last Thursday, July 24, at the Sky Dome in SM North EDSA, Quezon City.</p><p> Presented by local concert promoter PULP Live World, the band — composed of vocalist Hiroki Moriuchi (Hiro), guitarist Teruki Nishizawa (Teru), bassist Nobuaki Katō (Nob), and drummer Shōhei Sasaki (Kid&#x27;z) — delivered a powerful and emotional set filled with both their classic hits and latest anthems.</p><p> The concert opened with an explosive performance of “WINNER” and “Mirage” from their 2018 album<em> S·S·S</em>, immediately setting the tone for the rest of the night.</p><p> “Are you ready, Philippines? Keep (your energy) going!” Hiro exclaimed, igniting the crowd’s excitement.</p><div> </div><div><strong></strong></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:551px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1753948043988MFS-9.jpg" style="width:600px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Image Credit: PULP Live World and Naoto Iwabuchi</span></span></span></div><div><strong></strong></div><p>Switching things up, the band brought a lively dance party atmosphere with fan favorites like “Tokyo Midnight” and “Boyfriend.”</p><p>“Hello, Manila! We are My First Story. Let’s get this night special. Let’s do this!” Hiro shouted, amping up the crowd even more.</p><p>The band showcased their musical versatility and rock festival charisma with energetic renditions of “PARADOX,” “Halzion,” and “mine,” engaging the audience in a high-octane singalong.</p><p>“It’s a beautiful night/ I love you guys!” Hiro expressed, delighted by the fans&#x27; energetic response to their performance.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:551px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1753948149056MFS-17.jpg" style="width:600px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Image Credit: PULP Live World and Naoto Iwabuchi</span></span></span></div><p>They also captivated the audience with emotionally charged, anime-inspired tracks like “Love Affair,” “BREAK IT DOWN,” and “Confession,” during which the venue glowed with phone lights in a sea of illumination.</p><div> </div><div><strong></strong></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-6" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DKC_uvrzjqf/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A6%2C%22os%22%3A1543862.3000000007%2C%22ls%22%3A1103773.3000000007%2C%22le%22%3A1104118.4000000004%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="746" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-6" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><strong></strong></div><div><br/></div><p><strong> </strong>Meeting their Filipino fans for the first time, drummer Kid’z connected with the crowd using Filipino phrases.</p><p> “Hello, everyone! How are you? Masaya akong makita kayo! Kami po ang My First Story. Ako po si Kid’z,” he said as he encouraged his bandmates to introduce themselves using the phrase “ako po si (I am).”</p><p> He continued, “Mahal ko (namin) ang Pilipinas. Thank you. I love you.”</p><p> Fans joyfully teased the band with chants of “pogi” and “gwapo,” (both means handsome, good-looking) which the band gamely embraced. They also learned the local phrases “sumigaw kayo” (scream!) and “tara na” (let’s go!).</p><p> In return, Kid’z taught fans how to say “I love you” in Japanese — “Aishitemasu” and “Daisuki.”</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:600px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1753948247937MFS-7.jpg" style="width:600px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Image Credit: PULP Live World and Naoto Iwabuchi</span></span></span></div><p>“Filipinos are fast learners. Ang galing ninyo,” he praised.</p><p>The concert’s intensity surged with high-impact performances of rock staples like “King &amp; Ashley,” “Zero Gravity,” and “MONSTER.” Hiro even jumped off the stage to sing closer to fans during “ACCIDENT” and “Monokuro Effector.”</p><div><br/></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-4" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DKC_uvrzjqf/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A4%2C%22os%22%3A1530058.7000000011%2C%22ls%22%3A1103773.3000000007%2C%22le%22%3A1104118.4000000004%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="746" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-4" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><strong></strong></div><p>One of the night’s most unforgettable moments came when the band played “Mugen,” the opening theme for <em>Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Season 4.</em> The crowd erupted in excitement. They followed it up with the cathartic “I’m a mess” and the party anthem “ALONE.”</p><p> To end the night on a high note, My First Story closed their Manila debut with the iconic “Fukagyaku Replace,” leaving fans ecstatic and deeply fulfilled.</p><p> “This is a beautiful night. Thank you so much!” Hiro said in his parting words.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:551px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1753948321176MFS-18.jpg" style="width:600px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Image Credit: PULP Live World and Naoto Iwabuchi</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>Before arriving in Manila, My First Story had already performed in South Korea, Bangkok, and Singapore. Their tour continues in Jakarta, Shanghai, and Taipei, before returning to Japan for stops in Aichi, Kyoto, Miyagi, Hiroshima, Fukuoka, Tokyo, and Osaka.</p><div> </div>

<p><b>Japanese rock band My First Story successfully stages their first concert in the country.</b></p>

Japanese rock band My First Story successfully stages their first concert in the country.