Three times the charm, BEP wows the crowd anew at 'Where Is The Love? This Is The Love' concert

MANILA, Philippines – Prior to taking a “much needed” hiatus, Black Eyed Peas made sure they left with a resounding bang, rocking Manila to the core with their epic one-night-only concert at SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds on Oct. 25.

As if showing how much Filipinos would eventually miss their group, thousands and thousands of party-goers, techno-music lovers, frustrated dancers and singer-wannabes from different races collectively known as “peabodies” (the BEP fans) crowded the venue, endured the sweltering night-time Manila heat and partied the night away at the “Where Is The Love? This Is The Love” concert.

But before the main event, pan-Asian girl group Blush set the mood with their soothing jazz-like voices that was in complete harmony with their diva charms.

But come the night’s headliners, no amount of expectation and imagination could come close to what the three-time Grammy award-winning group gave their audience. While a thousand words could be said to describe the concert, to say that it was underwhelming and scrimped in budget would be a terrible crime against the peabodies. But, to say that it was flashy and flamboyant would still be an understatement. Because more than living up to their reputation of presenting electrifying and booty-shaking music, BEP employed outstanding effects and theatricality as their show’s stage illuminated with strobe lights, laser lights and their massive, floor-to-ceiling LED screen as backdrop.

Not only was the stage obviously well-tailored for the event, the outfits worn by Fergie, Taboo, will.i.am and pride to the Filipinos, apl.de.ap, played a significant part in adding to the club-like vibe. Their outfits were a burst of psychedelic brilliance as they were either embedded with twinkling LED lights like Fergie’s pink “galaxy dress” that glowed into the night or like Will and Apl’s distinct suits, which were sewn with small, rectangular mirrors that reflect the light that washed over them onstage.

Notwithstanding the effects, the costume and the stage, we all know that what truly brought the BEP to the top of the charts was their ear blasting, techno and hip-hop music. And apparently that night, everyone packed their dancing shoes as they swayed and bounced to the tune of their party hits such as “Meet Me Halfway,” “Don't Stop The Party,” “Pump It,” “Imma Be” and “Don't Phunk With My Heart,” among others.

Sure, the energy brought by the aforementioned songs was at an optimum level, but personally, the most brilliant moments were the ones that were characterized by the group’s teeming energy. For instance, there was “Rock Your Body”—the song that ushered in the first burst of energy from BEP, which then electrified the audience when their anticipation and excitement for the night’s event was finally unleashed. In terms of the technical aspect, the first act set the space-like psychedelic mood of the show as robot-costumed backup dancers and a slew of visual effects, like a laser castle, popped out on the screen.

Next were the longer performances of “Boom Boom Pow” and “The Time of My Life (Dirty Bit),” which let the audience groove and enjoy longer. And then there was the closing song, “I Gotta Feeling,” which punctuated the night’s ending, in more ways than one. The song and its encore performance encapsulated the “feeling” evoked by the entire show: the night was indeed a good night.

In terms of solo performances, it was wll.i.am’s Live DJ Set that truly owned the night. Imagine him donning a space-age costume and mixing songs like Usher’s “OMG,” Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing” and Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” while his DJ station rose several feet into the air by hydraulics. It was disco mixing that was one for the books.

Fergie also had her own moment when she belted “Big Girl’s Don’t Cry” while Apl channeled his inner Pinoy with an emotional performance of “The Apl Song,” which he dedicated to his brothers who passed away. Taboo for his part may have not had his solo act, but he certainly made his presence felt in “Where is The love?”

Even though the two and a half hour concert were dotted with gaps in between songs that seemed to leave the audience hanging in dead air, the group made up for that minute flaw with their consistent energy and showmanship. And that’s why, even though it’s their third visit the country, the group still and always will be phenomenally welcomed by Pinoys.