After a successful start to his Asia tour in Singapore, Japanese musician Fujii Kaze brought his unique musical style to Manila, thrilling the crowd with his electrifying presence.
On December 10, 2024, he captivated audiences with his debut performance in the Philippines at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, as part of his Best of Fujii Kaze: 2020-2024 Asia Tour.
Promoted by Ovation Productions and AEG Presents Asia, the Manila show drew coverage from PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal).
Here’s everything you missed from Fujii Kaze’s debut concert in Manila.
HIGHLIGHTS OF FUJII KAZE’S MANILA CONCERT
The concert opened with an acapella intro of “YASASHISA,” as Fujii Kaze, cloaked in a massive hood, took the stage to thunderous applause.
His graceful performance immediately set the mood for the night, captivating the audience from the very first note.
Next, he transitioned into “Nan-Nan,” impressing fans with his piano skills and ending the song with an energetic dance.
Before performing, he addressed the audience warmly, saying, “Manila, you can stand up if you want!”
His invitation was met with eager participation from the crowd that was clearly thrilled by his performance.
Fujii Kaze then performed “Mo-Eh-Wa” and “Kiri Ga Naikara,” continuing to energize the arena with his presence.
During “Hedemo Ne-Yo,” Fujii Kaze slowly removed his jacket, sending fans into a frenzy.
He followed this with a heartfelt performance of “Grace,” during which he incorporated the song’s iconic hand choreography, prompting the crowd to join in.
In the middle of the song, he encouraged the audience with an inspiring message: “Say goodbye, say goodbye to all of your unhealthy ego, pride, or attachments!”
Fujii Kaze’s next song, “Seishun Sick,” was met with enthusiastic cheers.
After the performance, he greeted his fans in Tagalog, saying, “Kumusta? Kumusta kayo?”
The crowd responded with loud cheers, and Fujii Kaze smiled sweetly, asking, “Gwapo? Gwapa?”
When the audience shouted “Yes!” in reply, he said, “Talaga? Talaga! Please be happy, Manila. Everything starts with your mind, your heart, your feelings.
“Please be happy and be content. Contentment is the key to happiness.
“So please be feeling good and please think only good and speak only good and do only good. You only be good.
“We’re gonna be good, we’re gonna be alright.”
The uplifting speech led into “Feelin’ Go(o)d,” which was followed by the lively tune “Hana” that had fans dancing along.
Fujii Kaze then invited the audience to mimic flower-like hand poses, saying, “Don’t be embarrassed to be cute. Wow! You look like a garden. My beautiful garden, Manila!”
The crowd turned into a sea of green lights as they lit up their phones, creating a magical moment during his next performance, “Garden.”
A SHOWCASE OF VERSATILITY
During “Workin’ Hard,” Fujii Kaze surprised the audience by playing the saxophone, showcasing his multi-instrumental talent.
He then performed “Mo-Eh-Yo” with a keytar, dancing joyfully to the beat.
The concert continued with performances of “Kirari,” “Dam,” and “Tabiji.”
Fujii Kaze transitioned into “Michi Teyu Ku (Overflowing)” with a heartfelt piano introduction, saying, “Mahal ko kayo. Talaga. Manila, please love yourself. I’m sure you do.
“You don’t have to seek love outside of you, you’ve got a lot of love inside of you. It’s more than enough. You are loved and you are not alone. You are loved, overflowing.”
One of the night’s highlights was Fujii Kaze’s impromptu piano intro of Whitney Houston’s “I Have Nothing.”
The crowd sang along beautifully, prompting him to compliment them: “You’re such a good singer, Manila, Filipino. Sing for me!”
He then followed with his viral hit, “Shinunoga E-wa.”
For his final performance, Fujii Kaze added a Filipino twist, playing “Manila” by Hotdog as the intro to “Matsuri.”
As he bowed to the cheering crowd, he expressed his amazement, saying, “Oh my God. You guys are the loudest, Manila! Manila!”
He roamed around the stage, listening to different sections of the arena scream louder in support.
A MEMORABLE ENCORE
When the crowd chanted “Isa pa!” Fujii Kaze joked, “What a greedy b*tch,” drawing laughter from fans.
He then returned to the piano for his encore, performing “SAYONARA Baby.”
The crowd sang with him, their voices filling the arena until the very end.
Before exiting, he left the audience with heartfelt wishes, saying, “Manila, happy Christmas and happy new year everybody. I love you so much! I love you po! Thank you po!”
Fujii Kaze’s debut concert in Manila was more than just a musical performance—it was a celebration of connection, joy, and the universal power of music.
As the night ended, fans left with a shared memory of an artist who not only delivered an extraordinary performance, but also touched their hearts with his warmth.
