MANILA, Philippines – Bruno Major returned to the Philippines for his 2024 Asia tour, staging not just one but two shows, held on September 7 and 11.
The British hitmaker had originally planned to perform just a one-night show, but when tickets to the first day sold out almost as soon as they went on sale, it became pretty clear that he needed to stage a second concert.
Day 2 on Wednesday, September 11, marked the very last show Bruno staged for his Asia tour, so it didn’t really come as much of a surprise when he serenaded audiences with a little bit more than what was already on the setlist.
For one, he performed “Tapestry” on this day only, sharing to the crowd that a few hours before Day 2 began, a fan messaged him on Instagram asking him to play the song.
While Bruno is best known for his mellow jazz and R&B sound, he switched things up a little with his cover of The Temptations’ “Shakey Ground,” where he infused even more energy into the already upbeat ’70s track.
Bruno performed a mix of songs from his three studio albums: A Song For Every Moon (2017), To Let A Good Thing Die (2020), and Columbo (2023) — aptly kicking off his concert with “The Show Must Go On” and “Like Someone In Love.”
British singer-songwriter Bruno Major opens Day 2 of his Manila show at the PICC Plenary Hall in Pasay City with “The Show Must Go On.” #BrunoMajorInManila @karposmm @karposlive | via @junoileanavr pic.twitter.com/xDVFCvM9qd
— Rappler (@rapplerdotcom) September 11, 2024
In between songs, Bruno talked about the outpouring of love he receives every time he comes to the Philippines, saying that he felt “indebted” to Filipinos. He previously staged shows in Manila in 2018 and 2023, so perhaps it’s his loyal Filipino fanbase that has him coming back to the country so often.
The audience on Day 2 even switched on their flashlights during Bruno’s performance of his hit song, “Nothing,” willingly skipping out on taking videos for a while to just live in the moment with the singer.
Fans turn their flashlights on as Bruno Major takes the stage to sing one of tonight’s most highly requested tracks: “Nothing.” #BrunoMajorInManila @karposmm @karposlive | via @junoileanavr pic.twitter.com/R9JPh9BU9V
— Rappler (@rapplerdotcom) September 11, 2024
Bruno also sang old and new favorites like “Regent’s Park,” “Columbo,” “Home,” and “The Most Beautiful Thing,” giving audiences a front-row seat to the romantic atmosphere he’s become so good at conjuring up in his music through the years.
More than anything, however, it was a treat to witness Bruno’s sheer artistry as he would constantly switch between an electric guitar, an acoustic guitar, and a piano throughout his entire set.
The British artist momentarily sets his guitar aside to play the piano as he sings “A Strange Kind of Beautiful,” one of the tracks off his 2023 album “Columbo.” #BrunoMajorInManila @karposmm @karposlive | via @junoileanavr pic.twitter.com/Jb8KnXfVCv
— Rappler (@rapplerdotcom) September 11, 2024
As the confetti popped and Bruno and his band took their final bow upon performing “The End,” everybody in the Plenary Hall knew it wasn’t actually the last song yet. It seemed that even Bruno himself knew that he’d have to return onstage just a few seconds after bidding the audience farewell.
The 36-year-old musician performed his actual last song, the well-loved “Easily,” which was arguably the perfect way to wrap up his Asia tour. – Rappler.com