Just after his opening stage for his first solo concert “When the Rain Stopped Following Me” in Manila, Korean-American singer-songwriter Eaj could not help but be amused of the Filipino crowd’s “top-tier” energy, saying he is thankful he kicked off his Asia tour in the Philippines. 

“Manila, I do wanna say, we are so grateful to have started here. This energy, this energy is top tier in the world, man,” Eaj told his fans at the SM North, Skydome, who showed their enthusiasm through jumping, singing along, and loud cheers. 

The 31-year-old artist, who has performed in the country four times including the music festival “Head in the Clouds" in 2022, said he wanted to come back to the country sooner. 

“I knew the energy was gonna be good, but you guys are making me wanna just do the set twice,” he addressed the crowd, further making them scream louder and jump even higher. 

“I know it sounds like I’m just saying this, but if this sweat does not tell you something already, I hope this is proof enough for you,” Eaj said, as he removed his cap and shook his head as if to show his sweaty hair. 

“Thank you so much, Manila, for being so hospitable,” he added.

VERSATILITY

Eaj displayed versatility in his music, showing a contrast between his mellow songs and his more upbeat ones—one moment he’s touching the crowd’s hearts with profound lyrics and soft tunes, then hyping them up with his commanding stage presence and high notes the next.

The singer’s free and passionate movements on stage was contagious as he performed his more energetic songs like “Friendly Fire,” “Mad,” “Right Where You Left Me,” and his newest single “Burn,” further raising the already intense energy in the concert dome. 

He also pleased fans with some of his more relaxed songs like “Pacman,” and “Castle in the Sky.” 

The solo artist did not only boast on perfect runs, riffs, and adlibs, he also belted high notes after high notes in his songs like “LA Stars” and “Visions.” 

FAN SERVICE

In the truest Eaj fashion, the singer proved yet again that he values making fans feel loved as much as he values showing great performances. 

He delighted fans with a self-introduction in Filipino, making them laugh as he referred to himself as "Tito Jae" and "Kuya Jae," letting fans decide which suit him the best. 

Just like what he did during HITC in Manila that pleased concert-goers, Eaj went down the stage multiple times to party and get intimate with fans, occasionally making stops just to hug them and take photos or videos with them. 

As if these were not yet enough, Eaj went to the merchandise booth after the concert where he personally helped sell his remaining merch. 

He signed the remaining posters as fans lined up, where he, again, took his time to talk to them and take photos with them one by one. 

BIRTHDAY WISH

Before the concert ended, Eaj's microphone was turned off. Little did he know that there was an advanced birthday surprise prepared for him while he was busy signaling to the staff to turn the volume of his microphone back up.

When fans suddenly sang a "Happy Birthday" song, Eaj, whose birthday is on the 15th, turned back, where he saw the cake and the banner prepared for him. 

When he was asked to make a wish, he only had one answer: to see everyone in Manila again.