As the debate on who deserves credit for putting P-pop on the map rages, Felip, known as Ken from the popular Filipino boy band, SB19, was busy showcasing songs from his nine-track solo album, 7sins.
The concert, held at The Space at One Ayala in Makati on July 27, 2024, marked the public launch of the album, which was released earlier that month.
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Anticipation from fans was palpable, with many patiently waiting in queue hours before the announced 7 p.m. performance.
Excitement soared inside the venue as the countdown began, with the minutes flashing on the screens to tease fans.
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At 7:10 p.m., the lights dimmed, and all eyes turned to the stage as sounds of thunder and a dramatic monologue reverberated through the hall, occasionally drowned out by screams from excited fans.
FELIP IN OVERDRIVE
The show kicked off with "Foes," the opening track from the album, followed by the provocative "Envy."
Felip ran through the tracks from the album one after another, channeling the energy heard from the record into his live performance.
The effort invested in the show was evident, with the evening's theme—ranging from stage design to lighting—perfectly capturing the album's vibe: dark, brooding, raw, and bursting with energy.
The only downside perhaps was the spiels displayed boldly for the audience at the front to see, depriving the show at times of that feeling of spontaneity and surprise.
But Felip was on fire, to say the least, running and jumping on stage and singing his heart out to give the live renditions justice.
His performance of "Lust" with Filipino-Belgian singer-songwriter Cyra Gwynth thrilled the audience, offering many their first opportunity to see Cyra perform live in person.
After the duet, Cyra took the stage solo and dished out her song, "Cut the BS."
Also serving as a special guest that night was the hip-hop group PLAYERTWO for the song "Gluttony."
PLAYERTWO gave the fans a taste of their music by performing "Shower Music."
Felip's energy was giving in the hard-rocking songs "Sloth," "Wrath," "Pride," and the fan-favorite "Rocksta."
The slower numbers "Greed" and the haunting "Ache"—delivered with choir-like backing vocals and coordinated slow dance movements for theatrics—highlighted Felip's versatility.
"Mictest" brought the evening to a thrilling, electrifying climax.
PAVING HIS OWN PATH
In summary, the concert not only highlighted the songs from 7sins but also showcased Felip's artistry and depth as a singer, songwriter, and performer.
While SB19's shadow will always loom large, Felip's ability to seamlessly transition into his own distinct style is what sets him apart.
His solo work blends rock, hip-hop, electronic, and R&B, characterized by a raw, edgy vibe that is a refreshing departure from the sound of SB19.
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So, while debates continue over which P-pop act deserves the crown, Felip lets his music speak for itself, demonstrating that he won't be defined by the genre and movement he helped ignite.