Wave to Earth Wows Manila with 2-Day Sold-Out Spectacle for ‘The First Era Concert’ Tour

South Korean indie rock band Wave to Earth just concluded their “The First Era Concert” tour with a bang, delivering two jam-packed weekday shows in Manila at the New Frontier Theater in Cubao last March 11 and 13, 2024.

Led by vocalist and guitarist Daniel Kim, alongside bassist John Cha and drummer Shin Donggyu, Wave to Earth has cultivated their fanbase in the Philippines, drawing crowds eager to experience their unique music live. This marked their first solo performance in the country, following their appearance at the ON Festival OFF: Manila in November 2023. True enough, there was overwhelming demand for tickets, prompting a second day after the initial date sold out immediately upon release.

During the second day of the concert, the venue was still packed to the brim, predominantly with Gen Z audience members eagerly anticipating the band’s hit songs. With over six million monthly listeners on Spotify, Wave to Earth has made waves across the globe, garnering immense popularity through social media platforms like TikTok. The group took the stage at 8 p.m., accompanied by session members Jo Jung-geun on keyboard and Jeon-min on saxophone. The electrifying energy of the evening was through the roof as the band launched into their set immediately with their viral hit ‘Bad’.

The band captivated their audience throughout the night with crowd favorites such as ‘Peach Eyes,’ ‘Sunny Days,’ ‘Nouvelle Vague,’ ‘Sunburn,’ and ‘So Real.’ Vocalist Daniel Kim expressed the band’s affection for Manila, stating, “We love Manila,” followed by John Cha’s sentiment, “It’s an honor to kind of finish the SEA [Southeast Asia] tour in the Philippines. You guys have the purest eyes in the world.” Then, they played more of their songs, including ‘Daisy,’ ‘Evening Glow,’ ‘Ride,’ ‘Pink,’ ‘Bonfire,’ ‘Love,’ and ‘Homesick’, seamlessly transitioning between indie pop to rock to jazz, captivating the crowd with their lo-fi sound.

They also involved their Filipino fans in special moments for their members, including Jeon-min’s birthday and Daniel’s upcoming birthday. If there’s a highlight for Day 2, it’s the sense of everyone being one family at a reunion, enjoying each other’s playful company. There were instrument swaps, solos, and plenty of chanting from the crowd, making it a refreshing experience for those who have attended many Korean shows in recent years.

As the concert reached its climax, the fans eagerly chanted the lyrics of ‘Surf’ – the inspiration behind their official fandom name, Plankton. Following this with unforgettable performances of ‘Pueblo’, ‘Calla’, their most streamed song ‘Seasons’, and finally ‘Light’.

For newcomers, Wave to Earth displayed an immense passion for music, their fans, and an all-out energy on stage. The band made sure PH Plankton will never forget this unforgettable first concert. As they bid farewell, Daniel expressed their promise to return, acknowledging the profound love and support received from Filipino fans.

“I promise we will come back. Thank you for having us. Thank you for the last show,” said Daniel Kim. “I just want to say that, you know, no matter if Wave to Earth travels the world, doing concerts, we will never forget the Philippines,” said John Cha.

As fans filed out of the New Frontier Theater, there was a sense of joy and fulfillment in the air, a testament to the power of music to unite and uplift. One thing is certain after those two nights: Wave to Earth’s melodies will continue to resonate in the hearts of fans, creating waves of inspiration wherever they go.