with River Maya
SM Mall of Asia, Manila, Philippines
Wednesday, May 8, 2013 8:00 p.m.
"No one can wear Stephen Tyler Pants like Steven Tyler," quoted Carol Pobre from an anonymous source as Aerosmith was about to take the stage at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Too true, since the t-shirt and jeans-wearing local act River Maya - despite competent playing and brave effort - could not hold a candle to the stunningly stylish timeless rockers ( I refuse to say 'aging' because that's journalistic cliche).
Indeed, the ever personable and humorous vocalist Stephen Tyler and immensely talented guitarist Joe Perry sported matching white fringes in their hair, a nod to their seniority.
However each song performed during the hour-and-a-half set this sweltering Manila night was a classic. Regardless of whether or not they performed it in 1976, 1986, or tomorrow, the band's music bears no mark of vintage. It's just plan hard rock.
Opening with the pulsating Love in an Elevator, they went into some older songs from before I started listening to them in the early 1990s, but more often than not, I was singing along, surprised at how many Aerosmith songs I knew that well.
Very graciously, Tyler interacted with the audience, loving them up, reaching out, teasing, engaging, and thanking. Now this was a true showman. Throughout the evening he threw bits of his costume to the crowd starting with an outrageous blue sparkling Aboriginal feathered headdress, his shades, and other tidbits we couldn't see from our vantage point.
'Janie's got a Gun,' Tyler's tribute to abused women, received roars of approval. 'Walk this Way' had everyone dancing. As hit after hit rolled out, the audience screamed and sang along. None of it was old and all of it was well done.
Drummer Joey Kramer got his chance to shine with an incredible solo set, provoking the crowd which kept screaming for more. Tyler joined him at the end, both of them pounding like mad men at the same time on the same drum kit.
The inimitable Joe Perry later had a seriously face-melting session with a blues number. It would have been glorious if it weren't for the abysmal acoustics of the Arena that muddied the sound.
A highlight of the set was when Tyler sat at a stunning white baby grand piano to play 'Dream On.' On cue, Perry mounted side steps to melt faces with his searing guitar solo.
A grand finale of white sparkles finished the show and fans left happy and singing their favourite tunes, heading to the back of MOA for drinks and various versions of Halo Halo, the traditional Philippine dessert.
Aerosmith performs in Singapore in two weeks' time - according to the tour merchandise supervisor we met on our way home! Too bad I'll be back in Canada by then!
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