Ben&Ben stages jam-packed Homecoming concert
Ben&Ben plus guests Clara Benin, KZ Tandingan, Juan Karlos Labajo, and Zild serenaded an estimated 65,000 concert goers.
Ben&Ben’s Homecoming Concert finally pushed through last December 18, 2022.
The concert was originally planned to be the band’s send-off concert before they headed off to do shows in Canada and the US as part of Ben&Ben Live On Tour 2022. Due to terrible weather conditions then, the concert had to be moved from its original date of September to December.
Despite the heavy traffic and intermittent rain, thousands of fans still flocked to the open air venue at the SMDC Festival Grounds. Head count was estimated at around 65,000 on the day.
The show was opened by indie singer-songwriter Clara Benin. She sang her own songs “Parallel Universe”, “Be My Thrill”, and “Araw’t Gabi”.
Lights turned down as the crowd was treated to an AVP of the band’s photos, including some from their recent trip abroad. Ben&Ben then started their set with the song “Langyang Pag-Ibig”.
”Maraming salamat sa mga Liwanag namin na pumunta ngayon para sa inyo ang gabi na ito,” said Paolo Benjamin to the audience.
Ben&Ben played crowd favorites from their first album, Limasawa Street. They also played music from their album Pebble House, which was nominated in 21 categories for the the Awit Awards 2022. Of these, they won five awards, including Album of the Year.
Aside from Paolo and Miguel, band members Andrew De Pano and Toni Muñoz also took center stage as they sang their solos. As an extra treat, the band also performed their yet unreleased song, “Comets”.
”This song is about sa mga taong dumaan sa buhay natin pero hindi sila nagiistay, and this song is called ‘Comets,’” shared Miguel.
Midway through the show, some of lucky fans got some Ben&Ben merch as gifts from the band. The rest of the Liwanags also had the chance to purchase official Ben&Ben merchandise on site, including concert shirts, posters, tote bags, stickers, and even coffee beans.
For the band’s second set, they were joined by none other than Asia’s Soul Supreme, KZ Tandingan, in singing “Sabel”.
On her Facebook page, KZ gushed over the chance to perform the powerful song.
“I had so much fun performing SABEL for the first time sa harap ng lahat ng Liwanag,” posted KZ. “Thank you @benandbenmusic for having me and for giving me the honor to be part of such a powerful song. Congratulations sa napakagandang concert! Mabuhay kayo!”
Next up was “Lunod”, a song offered for mental health advocates. This time, the band was joined by artists Juan Karlos Labajo and Zild.
In his social media post, Juan Karlos was full of OPM pride.
“It’s an amazing feeling to perform in front of this amazing crowd with these amazing musicians. This is why we do music,” he declared. “Congratulations Ben&Ben for such a wonderful show. PROUD TO BE OPM!”
It was a huge party all around, especially when streamers started swaying in the wind and huge balloons were passed around by the crowd. Everyone was on a high singing along to Ben&Ben’s songs.
The band also gave in to requests for an encore, and finally ended the homecoming concert with their well-known hit song, “Araw-Araw”. Colorful fireworks filled the evening sky, a fitting sign of gratitude and a grand send-off as the Liwanags headed home.
