We missed Dau by a split hesitation whether to take it or not. He knew he read it in the driving directions and location map in the Survival Guide but asked the sleepless lady on the passenger seat to verify with a nod, but received head-shaking instead and a know-it-all answer that SCTEX will somehow lead to Clark. Of course, she is wrong since there were no rice fields and a small bridge. We took the next one, Mabalacat, and finally found our way to Global Logistics City in Clark Pampanga without any hitches.
Arrived 430ish at the venue just in time to catch a little bit of Up Dharma Down, who closed their set with Tadhana. Found a sweet spot with the rest of his crew and pitched our humble camp. The cool weather was just perfect, like everything about this music fest was aligned with the stars, a light breeze and the sun setting slowly.
Red Jumpsuit Apparatus opened with Face Down and I wanted to run away to the middle of the moving crowd and just get lost –“get pushed around, fall to the ground.” “Well, I tell you my friend one day this world is gonna end…” I squeezed in and jumped in between mats like a little mousy to make my way to the front-mid part but the big man trailed behind and before we could make our way to the crowd, the song ended. Retreated back to camp.
Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Kendrick Lamar and Empire of the Sun got the massive crowd’s energy going all the way until the stage was set for Red Hot Chili Peppers. RHCP unlocked their set list with Can’t Stop.
“The world I love
The tears I drop
To be part of
The wave can’t stop
Ever wonder if it’s all for you
The world I love
The trains I hop
To be part of
The wave can’t stop
Come and tell me when it’s time to”
Red Hot’s set list included Soul to Squeeze, Look Around, Snow, Right on Time, Maggie, Under the Bridge, Higher Ground, Californication, By the Way, among others. The 7107 International Music Festival that happened over the weekend headlined legendary International band Red Hot Chili Peppers, us very-young-once grew up listening to, and I was only too happy and thrilled to catch them.
The Angelinos rock band had an awesome stage visual display. Kiedes and Flea despite their age looked so hot they can actually solve the solar energy crisis.
When the tickets were sent over, I hesitated to go since I was initially afraid that it’s going to be a “see and be seen” event. And that’s just going to ruin the mood and what love for music represents. Most concerts are like that nowadays and artists become a bit frustrated that they can’t draw energy from the crowd. You know how they try to feed from the audience responding to their music? Yea, stop fixing your hair every 5 minutes, the music is talking to you. 
I’m pleased to note that most that went seem to be there for the right intentions. You rock and sway to the beat, mouth the lyrics, and vanish into the music and the artistry it brings. Once in a while I open my eyes and see a few whose head can’t stop turning, being a big distraction, looking around the crowd trying to spot and be spotted, but there’s simply no opening to be disappointed since it’s easily awash by very strong good vibes around –folks immersed in the musicality, some appreciating and enjoying the power of guitar riffs with you… And the world is again in its right place.
Music thus brings people together under one love.
Local bands also showcased their talent alongside international artists and 7101 music fest was a good vehicle for possible collaborations with international acts, thrusting our local music to a global audience who came to catch the other performances.
Huge throngs of people came to the event but the sheer vastness of the place supposedly at 100 hectares allows you to have enough space to move around. The vigor and verve were just wild. Safety and security were in place, even a large enough area for food merchants with tables and chairs and merchandising booths.
Thanks Ivan Del Valle for some of the photos!
As RHCP would say, music is the great communicator. It penetrates ever so sharply and deeply into our soul. Smash. Breathe. Express. Live.
Still stricken with Red Hot fever and hangover, the 7107 International Music Festival success has made history and is clearly one to be well-remembered. “Spectacular now”, yes, the hangover buzz certainly is hard to flush out but it paved the way for a “spectacular future” setting music festivals in the Philippines to be at a world-class stage and arena.
While I’m filled with excitement for another one staged in the country again, I look forward to Singapore’s 1 World Music Fest. And yea, not miss MTV World Stage in Malaysia whenever they invite over. Channel launches, please do not coincide.
Huge props to the organizers! It was one fantastic outdoor music event!
It was quite the celebration of music! Nothing short of amazing. \m/
The post 7107 International Music Festival, Spectacular Now appeared first on Between Bites - Bites of Food, Travel and Lifestyle.