CEBU, Philippines — If you’re as iconic as Danish band Michael Learns To Rock, there’s no need to beat around the bush trying to impress fans who already adore you.
When popular soft rock group Michael Learns To Rock was in town last Friday night, December 7, for a much-anticipated concert, Cebuano supporters of all ages came through to jam with band members Jascha Richter, Mikkel Lentz and Kare Wanscher, filling the Pacific Grand Ballroom of Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino to the brim.
The band, whose songs have become favorites and theme songs for many Filipinos, put up a straightforward show, churning out beloved hits like “Complicated Heart,” “Sleeping Child,” “Take Me To Your Heart,” “I’m Gonna Be Around,” among others. Dashing in a bit of their cheeky personalities, their frontman told the Cebuano crowd that the reason they haven’t been back to Cebu in so long is because they’ve been heartbroken, a cue to their popular track “Breaking My Heart.”
Michael Learns To Rock also performed newer music, including “Still,” which was released this year. Fans sang along to “Sweetest Surprise,” “Out of the Blue,” “Something Right,” “Something You Should Know,” “Blue Night,” “The Actor,” “25 Minutes” and more with lyric videos flashed onscreen.
With their timeless music, the Cebu crowd had the band’s back, singing along to the songs in unison, their voices easily filling the venue, both parties reciprocating love and energy. The band in turn expressed their gratefulness, thanking the indulging crowd in between songs.
Towards the peak of the concert, it seemed the show was about to be cut short due to a technical problem with the keyboard. But fans were unwavering – politely refusing to leave, staying glued to their seats throughout beats of uncertain silence. While others turned to go, most attendees stayed firm in their seats, sure that the boys still had more tracks in their repertoire. After chanting for more songs, fans got what they asked for when the trio emerged from the sidelines to get the show back on track.
Closing with tracks “Paint My Love” and “That’s Why,” Michael Learns To Rock once more proved that old is gold, and good music is good music.
Brought by Ovation Productions, the Michael Learns To Rock tour in the Philippines also visited Davao and Laguna prior to their Cebu show. They then performed at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Manila last Dec. 9.