Lola Amour delivers a hell of a concert at Cebu album launch
CEBU, Philippines — When I think about Lola Amour’s success, I look back at their September 2023 concert at The Terraces of Ayala Center Cebu where thousands came to see the seven-member band from Muntinlupa City.
In some of the mall concerts I attended, there would be instances when the crowd would only sing a few songs because these were trending. This specific show, wherein the band was touring different malls nationwide to promote their already-successful hit single “Raining in Manila”, was different because there wasn’t a moment when the crowd was quiet.
Of course, everyone was at their loudest when Lola Amour ended its set with their hit single. But there were lots in the audience singing their other tracks so loudly that their volume would sometimes overpower the band’s lead vocalist Pio Dumayas.
It shouldn’t be a surprise then that the band was able to sell out tickets for their April 27 concert, way before they kicked off their latest tour promoting their self-titled studio album that started April 13 in Makati.
Their Saturday concert here was my second time seeing Lola Amour live and I noticed two key differences from the first one. First is the venue. Taking place at Draft Punk on Mango Avenue, it’s smaller than their previous outdoor area of Ayala Center Cebu. Specifically, it took place at the restaurant bar’s open space area near the parking of Mango Square Mall.
Second is the absence of its bassist Raymond King who left the band following their Makati concert. This was felt by many fans throughout the show. One fan, who was brought up on stage for a pre-concert game challenge, said that he became a fan of the band through King. King’s departure may be sad for many including myself, but it doesn’t change my statement that Lola Amour can deliver one hell of a show.
While Draft Punk is usually where smaller local artists perform, having Lola Amour there despite their rising success made the gig feel more intimate. Fans appreciated seeing the band live knowing they got their money’s worth with a good view, whether in the VIP area, or a little further back at the regular section.
Throughout their nearly one-hour-and-30-minute show, Lola Amour performed songs that were included in their debut album, released on music platforms last April 8.
One of the standouts is the track “Umiinit”, the second in their setlist and the opening track of their album. It’s the perfect song to describe the hot weather season at the moment. Even if the fans and the performers were sweating, the upbeat funk energy of the song allows them to be pumped up for the rest of the show.
They also performed their older hits such as “Pwede Ba” and “Fallen”, the latter of which the band wished they could include in their album but is now treated as a standalone single and remains a crowd favorite.
Another highlight is the more mellow parts of the show where they sang “Lost for Words” and “Part II: Bliss”. The band dedicated this segment to their friend who battled depression in 2018. This was probably one of the few times the crowd was quiet to allow these songs to sink in.
Of course, it’s not a Lola Amour show without them wrapping up with “Raining in Manila” which is when the crowd was its loudest.
After seeing Lola Amour twice, I realized that one crucial element to the band’s success and why they are effective stage performers is their relatability to the crowd and how they connect with their fans. The members are not shy to share that they have been influenced by the music of their favorite artists when they were creating their own. There’s a chance that many of Lola Amour’s fans may have listened to the same artists – giving that personal touch whenever you hear their songs.
Another reason for their relatability is that you don’t see members of Lola Amour as superstars performing onstage. You see them as your friends singing about stuff you most likely went through or are going through.
If you have friends who are musicians themselves, you might be able to relate to that feeling of wanting to root for them for giving it their all in their shows.
It’s particularly why the Cebuano artists Mandaue Nights and The Sundown are the perfect opening acts for this show. Not only do they represent the best of what the Cebu indie pop scene has to offer, they also have that same level of relatability with the crowd.
As a pop culture observer, Lola Amour’s history since 2013 when they started as two different bands in high school is fascinating. The band was already successful even before “Raining in Manila” was played on radio stations across the country and in everyone’s streaming playlists.
It’s not easy for an OPM band to have a hit, let alone two, or five. To hold a sold-out concert in Cebu where many are usually picky on how much they will be willing to spend is a testament to Lola Amour’s appeal.
If you are a fan, seeing them live may only strengthen your love for the band even more. If you are not a fan, there is a chance you might be converted or at least appreciate them and their songs. Regardless, a Lola Amour gig is not one to miss the next time they are in Cebu. — (FREEMAN)
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