Where art meets heart: Maki made his fans feel at home during his “Maki-Concert” leg in the metro. Here are the highlights from his sold-out Day 2 show.

Maki’s debut solo concert was a three-hour-long, heart-thumping love letter!

“Maki-Concert sa New Frontier Theater” turned the two sellout nights into Maki’s own wonderland of music and stories with emotions intertwined.

We attended Day 2 of his concert, where we saw the best of Maki’s artistry and charisma, leaving a statement about why he flies high in today’s OPM scene. 

Read on to see all the things we love about his first solo concert:

The homey stage design

Embracing artistic storytelling through stagecraft, a meticulously designed house-themed stage with Maki’s personal branding welcomed the audience.

Taking it from the soft, nostalgic colors crashing into vibrant, electric visuals courtesy of next-level LED graphics, the backdrop was a real masterpiece that elevated the local concert scene to another creative milestone.

 While it was a feast for the eyes, it carried an emotional punch. “I want to make you feel what you make me feel. I always feel at home with you,” Maki shared, tugging at everyone’s heartstrings. Truly, the set design felt like home—warm, inviting, and magical.

 This stage concept wasn’t just a reflection of his gratitude but also a manifestation of his dreams: “Gusto ko po ang set ay bahay kasi I’m manifesting na magkaroon ng bahay.”

Reimagined hits, red-hot energy

The night kicked off with a fiery mash-up of Maki’s singles, “Namumula” and “Sigurado?” and instantly, the energy soared in the theater as it turned into a sea of red, with Zushis (his fans) waving their lights and cheering their hearts out.

Maki brought a fresh twist to his songs, proving his versatility as an artist. Live performances of “Halaga” and “Kurba” were effortlessly smooth, making everyone feel like they were hanging out in his living room. And when he sang “Siguro…?” with raw emotion, it was like he opened up his soul for all to see.

His storytelling: A window to his heart

“Maki is heart,” a line he remarked, and nothing could be truer. Between performances, Maki bared his soul, sharing the struggles and triumphs that shaped his music. From being bullied as a kid to his Glee Club days and rejections that turned into milestones, his stories added layers to every song.

Fans were especially moved by his narratives behind tracks from his Tanong EP such as “Saan?,” “Bakit?,” and “Kailan?” With every hugot line, the audience found pieces of their own stories reflected in his. Maki proved that music isn’t just about notes—it’s about connection.

Fan interactions

Maki’s down-to-earth personality shone through his playful banter with the audience. Whether it was his quirky jokes or his adorable inner monologues, his interactions were pure gold. One cute moment was when he fist-bumped a little kid whom he asked if he wanted to be a singer, only to get a cheeky “No.”

Maki also initiated a longest happy birthday greeting-inspired game with a fan that sparked laughs from the entire crowd. His ability to be so down-to-earth despite his rising fame is what makes him the classic Maki fans adore.

Renditions that gave goosebumps

His cover of “Huwag Na Huwag Mong Sasabihin” by Kitchie Nadal had fans swooning, while his take on Taylor Swift’s “Cruel Summer” brought the house down. A trip down memory lane came with “Out of My League” by LANY, a song tied to a milestone in his career.

A particularly touching highlight was when Maki dedicated a Rey Valera track, “Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko,” to his parents, sharing his dreams for his family and his promise to always do his best.

Nhiko Sabiniano, Maki, and Angela Ken 

Star-studded guest appearances

The stage became a playground of collaborations—Maki didn’t hog the spotlight, he shared it with an incredible lineup of artists. He did a bossa nova duet with Sitti on “Para Sa Akin” and an emotional performance of “Burnout” with Ebe Dancel.

Angela Ken lit up the stage with her song, “Kulimlim” while Maki, Angela, and Nhiko Sabiniano collaborated on “Sikulo.” Nameless Kids also brought their signature vibe with “Gabi.”

During his hit track, “Dilaw,” Maki took Vice Ganda to the stage, delivering a dose of humor that had the entire theater in stitches.

Maki and Vice Ganda

Maki and Sitti

Maki and Ebe Dancel

Surprise announcements and unreleased gems

Just when fans thought the night couldn’t get any better, Maki dropped bombshell announcements. He debuted two unreleased songs: “Bughaw” (which was released yesterday) and “Itim na Ulap,” inspired by his black cat.

The crowd erupted in cheers when Maki capped it off with an announcement of his concert tour with stops in Cebu, Baguio, and Cagayan de Oro. It’s safe to say that Zushis all over the Philippines are counting down the days.

Photos from @newfrontiertheater