As expected, Norwegian Per Sorensen treated fans to a night of catchy music and deep–from–the–heart singing, featuring songs from the famed New Wave group Fra Lippo Lippi. The guy obviously knew it wasn’t easy making it to the venue because he kept thanking the audience who made it despite the rain. It’s imperative to admire Fra Lippo’s music even more after the show.

Fra Lippo Lippi’s singer and chief melody–writer knew how to tickle—and most of the time, melt— the hearts of Filipino fans as he brought on stage a strong repertoire that rarely provided unfamiliar songs. With a mixed of Filipinos and foreigners as back–up band, Per sang applause–earning tracks, kicking off with two big hits from the Fra Lippo catalogue: "The Distance Between Us" and "Stitches And Burns." He began cheering up the crowd by exclaiming, "Mabuhay Manila! Are you ready?"

By saying that "Philippines is like coming home," he launched himself into singing "Coming Home" where his voice alone and keyboard–playing sent shivers and made the venue a lot more emotionally charged. On the keyboard Per held the emotions of his followers in a kingdom called the Big Dome where he was, obviously, the king that night.

His next four numbers after that were the night’s peak as Per sang "Later," his solo charming hit, followed by Fra Lippo Lippi’s signature track (according to other countries), "Shouldn’t Have To Be Like That," the near-sublime "Light And Shade" which he dedicated to the late Jeff Porcaro (of Toto), and the feel-good upbeat "Some People" wherein people stood up and swayed, expressing their elation over Per’s larger-than-life presence and heart-felt performance. So moving was his singing of "Light And Shade" it wasn’t a surprise to see a few from the audience shedding teardrops while the song was ongoing, especially that he seemed to be emphasizing via vocal punch the song’s most powerful line, "Die everyday to be free."

To prove that his arsenal is far–from–empty, Per then serenaded the audience with the lovely "Angel." Performance sincerity was felt throughout the show moreso when he went down a number of times to shake hands with the fans and be photographed. For this number, he asked a female fan to go up with him and be his angel.

The audience also experienced a first as Per performed live for the first time his unrecorded song called "It Could Be Nice." The piece, which he composed with his same collaborator in "Later," sounded like a haunting ballad with an impact that found itself between "Beauty And Madness" and "Coming Home." Well, it could be a hit, given its melancholic chorus that says "It could be nice, so nice it could be good to be loved by you."

Per’s 12th and 13th track that night were both unlikely unfamiliar to Filipino fans, but spectacular in a way as they are finely segued together, and fitted Per’s pre–encore exit. He was expected to return on stage and sing a couple more tracks. And he went back by teasing the crowd, "Gusto pa?"

Saving the best for last, the energetic Per Sorensen ran through three more significant songs off Fra Lippo Lippi’s heavy tank of hit tracks. The first of these last three was as timely as it can get, "Come Summer" – one of the group’s earlier hits. After which he went back to the keyboard and immediately played one of the ‘80s crowning ballads, "Beauty And Madness." Extra credit must be given to Per’s skill as a musician, he sounded as if he’s coming from an MP3 only with Araneta Coliseum–live–visuals! The surround sound set up of a major concert and the psychological difference of seeing and hearing the very voice behind that hit song send audience into a trance best understood by 80s music fans.

Of course, it was impossible for Per not to include "Everytime I See You" in his line–up. For him the most popular Fra Lippo Lippi song among Filipinos, he said goodbye with this song which he delivered by combining the original and its live take. It was a good wrap-up rendition, though it would have been better if he stuck to the way he performed during that popular live recording of the song.

The non–inclusion of "Love Is A Lonely Harbour" in the list may have made Fra Lippo Lippi’s core fans somewhat wonder. Yet, hats off to Per for sending home a crowd that’s nowhere near short-changed.