On September 16 SXManila, in collaboration with National Parks Development Committee, Labs, Kita Sabado and Banana Rising Recording Studio, presented the inaugural Rockamania at The Rizal Park Open Air Auditorium.
Rockamania was headlined by its main act Kjwan, followed by supporting bands Jason X, Alikabok 2.0, Gin Rum ’N Truth, Black Wolf Gypsies, and Beia Stone; and was hosted by Rizal Park host staples Djan Dwaine Canary and Paul Martin Ross.
Cowboy Grill’s own Jason X introduced the attending crowd to the day’s first musical set with their heavy tones, screams and guitar riffs. Alikabok 2.0, led by Pinas FM’s DJ Bongskie, held the stage and engaged the crowd with lighthearted sounds and antics alluding to current references in popular culture. They performed four well-received songs, which made the crowd unwittingly sway to the band’s melodies.
The grunge-hearted and freedom-bent Gin Rum ’N Truth came and took the stage next and performed four songs ranging from album originals and a cover of Lionel Richie’s “Hello”. The band wowed the spectating crowd with powerful acts and enticing guitar solos. The Black Wolf Gypsies took the stage and the crowd in their hands and allured them with a whirlwind of onstage antics. They performed three songs, all of which fully entertained the audience watching.
Meanwhile, Beia Stone elated the crowd with four songs of pop-rock harmony, and the people were noticeably more engaged as more people entered the Rizal Park Open Air Auditorium. Kjwan concluded a night of music, so as they made the crowd groove and jive with their music. The Rizal Park Open-Air Auditorium became electric the moment Kjwan took the stage and, immediately, the crowd took out their phones to snap pictures of the band members.
Rockamania delivered in bringing the sounds of underground Filipino rock to the mass by upholding a medium and a platform as to where Filipino rock artists auspiciously entertained the crowd. The second leg of Rockamania will be on November 18 at the Rizal Park Open Air Auditorium and will be headlined by the iconic Razorback.