There are moments in life that you just want to treasure forever and one of them is (G)I-DLE's first-ever concert in Manila last weekend. 

On 11 September, the K-pop girl group—which comprise Soyeon, Miyeon, Minnie, Yuqi and Shuhua—took over Quezon City's New Frontier Theatre as they put together an unforgettable night defined by endless dancing, the loudest fan chants (or rather, sing-alongs) we've ever heard, and a stage presence that you couldn't help but in awe of.

[📸] 20220911
@ #GIDLE_WORLDTOUR_JUSTMEIDLE IN MANILA

마닐라 네버랜드 덕분에 행복한 추억을 하나 더 만들고 돌아가요 😘 오늘 우리의 케미스트리는 백 점! 아니 천 점🔥 앞으로도 아이들 곁에 있어 주세요❤️💜#여자아이들 #GIDLE #JUSTMEIDLE pic.twitter.com/6a1iSSLiA4

— (G)I-DLE·(여자)아이들 (@G_I_DLE) September 11, 2022

A Manila concert was long overdue for (G)I-DLE and Filipino NEVERLANDs, and that pent-up excitement and energy was evident throughout the whole night, as the 'MY BAG' hitmakers performed their greatest hits with such power and precision. Whether it was their sultry tracks like 'Senorita' that had everyone in a trance, their rock anthems like 'LIAR' that turned up the energy, or their emotional ballads like 'HWAA' that showcased their undeniable vocal prowess, the group definitely made their first concert in Manila one worth remembering. 

The concert, which had a setlist that we truly have to commend, was divided into sections that highlighted the many talents of the (G)I-DLE. In an attempt to try and even relay the unmeasurable energy and fun that the members gifted the crowd with that night, here's what went down at JUST ME ( )I-DLE in Manila section by section from the eyes of the Bandwagon team. 

BASK IN THEIR GLORY

‘Oh My God’, ‘Villain Dies’, ‘LATATA’, ‘Blow Your Mind’, ‘Senorita’, ‘DUMDi DUMDi’, ‘Luv U’

Kara: Leading up to the show, fans were already singing to the tracks off I NEVER DIE playing through the speakers, as if (G)I-DLE were already on stage.

I was actually surprised to see the number of guys in the audience. A lot of them were (annoyingly) tall, covered in tattoos, and looked way too psyched to be there. In fact, (G)I-DLE opening with ‘Oh My God’ and turning the entire New Frontier Theater red was rather fitting, making me feel like The Undertaker was going to appear any second. But don’t let these guys’ appearances fool you—they weren’t just there because their girlfriends dragged them to the show. They totally knew the words to (G)I-DLE’s songs and sang passionately as the stars of the evening took everyone’s breath away with their doll-face expressions and fiery sensuality.

Franchesca: If there was anything I knew about (G)I-DLE it was that they are dramatic, in the grandest way possible, and their opening proved exactly that. The lights turned red, smoke filled the stage, and Gregorian chants and the sounds of bells filled the air—all signalling the group’s mesmerising entrance with ‘Oh My God’. The excitement that had already been brewing in the minutes before the concert overflowed and the energy was nothing like I ever experienced, it was actually insane! 

The rest of the opening section of the show carried on that high, as (G)I-DLE performed with such passion and fire—you just couldn’t take your eyes off of them. I particularly loved their performance of ‘LATATA’ and ‘DUMDi DUMDi’. It contrasted perfectly with their humour-filled and playful ments where they interacted with the crowd like we were all just best friends catching up.

ELEGANT BALLERINAS

‘HANN (ALW)’, ‘HANN (Alone)’, ‘MOON’, ‘Already’, ‘HWAA’

Kara: From dangerously sexy black fits to looks fashioned in white and red, (G)I-DLE went around in graceful circles. It certainly revealed a different side to them without alienating their audience who rage for the badass temptresses that they are.

Franchesca: As someone who has only really seen the glory of (G)I-DLE during their I NEVER DIE era, this section of the show—which was elegant, mystical, and entrancing, was insanely refreshing. It was a side of the members I had yet to experience. It was nice to see them outside of the punchy, badass, choreography-forward songs I was so familiar with and instead have their vocals take centre stage. 

It was honestly magical, especially during ‘MOON’ where a giant moon coloured the stage their signature shade of red and they took on the role of elegant ballerinas maximising the entire stage.

"LET'S MAKE FRIENDS"

 ‘LION’, ‘LIAR’

Kara: One thing I really like about (G)I-DLE is that they make you feel loved. They’re not the kind of act that only wants to bask in glory, pack away, and leave. As they take a breather, they check in on the crowd, see how they’re doing and pull some funny antics that make you feel like you’re friends with them. They hold a special kind of bond with their NEVERLANDs, and it’s something fans should treasure.

Franchesca: Prior to the start of this section, (G)I-DLE took the stage to not only make sure that everyone was having a good time but to ensure you always made some friends in the process, inviting fans to greet their fellow NEVERLANDs. It perfectly introduced the two songs that came next, which were so hyped that you couldn’t help but invite strangers to dance with you. 

I couldn’t even begin to explain to you the adrenaline I felt when Yuqi screamed, “Manila, call me a filthy liar!” It was a performance I didn’t expect I would enjoy as much as I did but ‘LIAR’ takes a completely new life when performed live, mainly thanks to the members who were having the time of their lives on stage. It was such a great time, fans were dancing and jumping along with no care in the world while (G)I-DLE continued to channel the incredible excitement in every aspect of their performance. 

ROCK N' ROLL, LET'S GO

‘Never Stop Me’, ‘Uh Oh’, ‘MY BAG’, ‘POP/STARS’, ‘TOMBOY’

Kara: This was the part of the show I was truly waiting for. My love for (G)I-DLE reached monumental heights when they dropped I NEVER DIE earlier this year. 

But I gotta be honest—I wouldn’t have known about (G)I-DLE without League of Legends and K/DA. ‘POP/STARS’ was my entry point into the world of (G)I-DLE and actually catching it live felt like discovering K/DA for the first time all while dancing the choreography in my head.

I am obsessed with Yuqi’s low range vocals (“Rum-rum-rum rumble, uh da crumble, yeah!!!!”) especially on ‘MY BAG’. Also, I wish I could kick as high and she can.

Franchesca: Usually the end of the concert is always bittersweet, and while this one certainly was, it felt more fun than ever. The setlist and flow of this section was just so immaculately put together, with the energy rising and rising after every song. Even in the moments where (G)I-DLE took time to breathe and check in with the crowd, the energy never faltered. Until the very end of this physically demanding section, they gave so much power to each and every performance—never missing a note, may I add. That’s how you put on a closing stage people will remember. 

The song that I was the most excited for was ‘MY BAG’—just ask Kara, I was dancing to it the whole day before we even got to the venue—and it turned out to be everything I wanted and more. I had seen so many videos of them performing the song at festivals and music shows, but nothing could have prepared me for the real thing. The crowd sang the entire song—the entire song, not just the insanely catchy chorus—and everyone around us danced along (some friends even started a mini-mosh pit with one another), it was so much fun. 

A MEANINGFUL GOODBYE

‘i’M THE TREND’, ‘Polaroid’

Kara: We realized a little too late that we were standing directly beneath the confetti cannons. There was a lot of confetti everywhere. And I mean EVERYWHERE. But of course, it was the best time to launch it, as (G)I-DLE closed off the evening with a more laid-back feel compared to the rest of their set. It was perfect too, considering how 90% of the show felt like an immense workout, even for the crowd. At this point, everyone was already sweaty (and a little smelly), so ending the show with 'Polaroid' was just the right cool down before heading out back into the real world.

Franchesca: The encore is usually reserved for a group’s high-energy party anthems but (G)I-DLE decided to go in almost the opposite direction, ending with their heart-warming track 'Polaroid'  that Yuqi produced herself. The performance served as a reminder that even when there are days that aren’t as happy, it’ll still be okay. Throughout the song, the members went to every corner of the stage and waved to as many people as they could as confetti showered the entire venue. 

You could tell that (G)I-DLE were grateful as they watched everyone sing and wave their lights along with them. It felt like one of those vividly happy moments that you look back to no matter how many years have gone by.