Review: Hillsong United Live In Manila 2008 in Araneta Coliseum Review.

Hillsong United Live In Manila 2008 in Araneta Coliseum Review.

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Whatever you call it, of course this morning May 27,2008 - my 160 gig ipod is blasting "With Hearts as One" live album into my ears at top volume as I work in this essentially quiet Makati Office along Ayala Avenue!

At first I noticed that the crowd of 20,000 (the Araneta was full, see?) was a bit subdued compared to the first time United has here in November 2006. Hmm. That is curious. Joel Houston simply opened the night by reading (?!) from the Bible a verse that I hope I remembered but now I don't! Readers --help me out by leaving comments on what he said to start it off.

They started off with "Time Has Come"--as many may have forgotten - using the same light effects as 2006. No, the band did't bring the light effects things -they belong to Soundcheck (the outfit that also did Steven Curtis Chapman, Switchfoot, Gary V, yadda..)

They proceeded into what would be an identical series of songs from the "With Hearts as One" album. 4 songs of intense energy you'd think "Why doesn't the world think that this isn't cool?". If only Araneta had no walls --media men and security guards and all those bystanders will find it completely strange that 20,000 brothers and sisters in Christ -different Christian and Catholic groups --all UNITED in worship. Next next year, Joel Houston, Jad Gillies--we'll do it outside at the FORT --for all to see. Hopefully-the fort crowd would have grown to Cubao densities--then just by worshipping publicly--we can make an impact to TELL THE WORLD, TELL THE WORLD!

Now back to the worship event. Since the people were circling the stage, there were 4 screens that show the video images of the event -as well as all the lyrics of the songs -for the 1% who have not memorized all the songs (knock your socks off longtime Steve Taylor fans). I found myself standing like 80% of the time. The patron people--well they were standing the WHOLE TIME. Same goes to the General Admission peeps.

I only sat for a few times - maybe after the 2nd slow song. As expected, the middle portion of the event are the slow power praise songs. In the middle Joel told the story about a Planetseeker songwriter who was diagnosed with cancer - 6 months to live. Well, if you've watched the TV series House before- you know that doctors make these predictions on life expectancy all the time despite the fact that if you asked them to bet money on it--or their life-or their car-they wouldn't.

Anyway, Mike (was his name?) wrote a song on Healing after the diagnosis (err. curse? from the MD?) -and now he's 2 years into the healing stage ( so much for 6mos, heh?).

The song was ok -of course it's main impact was it was played powerfully by the 4 guitars (1 acoustic, 1 bass, 1 rhythm and 1 lead) & one drum kit! The jam portion of all the United songs are really appropriate for any worship song.

During the instrumental portion, Joel invited everyone to pray for those in need of healing and I did pray for a lot of people -myself included (I'm healthy though) -so healing would come their way. My inlaws-my parents, my sisters pimples :-)

At a certain point, the band went into a lights out-leave the stage part. I heard people saying "MORE..." faintly --and thinking to yself-it's a much more mature crowd this group. They're really here to worship and not idol-adore the United band. Then a rumble from the right, then the left--hmm -feet stomping-people sure are organized here. Soon the band returned - I mean Joel returned for a short talk and another series of strong but not fast songs. Set list please! It's hard to remember if I don't have the list. I was busy worshipping and didn't take time to list the songs - w/c is a good thing, I think. The focus was Jesus - and I think a lot of people came away with that thought.

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They sang mostly songs from the latest double cd.

The Hillsong United Live In Manila 2008 Setlist (rough draft, help me finish it!)

Time Has Come
Take It all
What the world will never take
My Future Decided
All I Need is You (he lead us here, saying out of the mike to let us sing mostly)
Mighty to save
Hosanna (Michelle Farrar? lead this powerfully-and left this song as my LSS (last song syndrome) for the night)
Shout Unto God
The Stand
Break Free
Look To You
Salvation is Here (another explosive jumping time)
More than life
None But Jesus
From the Inside out
Came to my rescue
Savior King (Jad sings here)
Tell The world

Encore:

One Way (we'll tell the world how CRAZY the Philippines is in worshipping- Joel Houston)
Solution
(leave comments to correct the set list!)

Again, I was able to predict the first song as I did in Reuben Morgan's Worship Event. By the way, I promoted that -and co-produced (pinoy version) it, too!

So to relive it -you just have to but the CD "With Hearts as One".

Joel at the end of the evening, go to say his piece to subtly introduce the next United project in June --"We're All In THis Together" a DVD of live footage and projects worldwide. He didn't say it was a DVD-he just mentioned the High School Musical song - eh- nope the expression has been in use way before that.

I saw 2 tshirts wore by a lot of people -aside from the black 1 Heart Revolution Shirts (P 600) and the white heart (P 600?) shirts. One was black made by Bobot-that simply said HILLSONG UNITED in messy white (a united trademark, the messiness of fonts) -and another one --also in black-that said ONE WAY-->JESUS. Reminded me of the Larry Norman (RIP) song. I also got a P 80(!!!) 1 Heart sticker for my Macbook-so if you see me in a coffee shop, I expect you approach me and TALK TO ME ABOUT IT.

Also for sale from Praise --the "With Hearts as One" double Cd and the United "In a valley By the Sea" EP (P 300).

After the concert, I talked to Tina who was backstage, exhausted. Tuesday and Maan, she said was preparing food for the Soundcheck people --while the band was -as I imagine- in the dressing room-replacing their simply drenched shirts. A line of "privileged" ones have started forming near the back stage entrance -but access to them was blocked by yellow clad security men-more efficient this time I think compared to what happened to Switchfoot last time -too many people got access to the backstage. The band's off to Petaling Jaya tomorrow --and Tina's phone is not answering today-so maybe they're now off to the airport. Pictures, I'm sure will be aplenty.

On the floor near where Rica Peralejo and Donita Rose sa, cried and worshipped (the camera kept showing them), I found a sticker that said "Hillsong United-Meet and Greet". It was stuck there-so I couldn't pry it off-compressed by the many feet of worshipping celebrities and their friends. I remember seeing Rica (and Alex Compton, not together...) also at the Switchfoot gig last year. Tina later said that Meet and Greet and autograph signing was done earlier - so I expect those United fellows to be either hungry or wanting to have coffee BY THEMSELVES (aussies are like that). We'll know for sure later.

Thoughts:

I just hope though that when we Christians and Catholics gather like this --we could do something together after the event.

"The time has come to stand for all we believe in. So I for one, I will life my praise to you...."

Then as the song SOlution says "We'll be your hands and feet". Maybe we can build a house - together for GK or somthing. We just hope we can be United also.

Excess:

Hey, Hillsong United Fans--share your stories online! Don't have a blog? Gush in the comment lines of this blog. And for this week-only-if you want to meet up in Makati (for lunch only) to JUST TALK ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE of being led into worship by United-let's meet up! Call me at 849-5047 -this week only!

Leave a comment to your United Post so I can include your blog in my link list from this blog! Yes, free!

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