Saosin still has it:A packed, roraring night at Skydome

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May 14, 2026 | 12:00am

There’s nothing quite like the sight — and sound — of thousands of Filipino fans singing every word back to the band onstage. At the packed SM Skydome last May 7, the crowd often seemed louder than the music itself, their voices rising above the pounding drums, razor-sharp guitar riffs, and emotionally charged vocals that have long defined Saosin’s sound. The result was an electrifying night of modern rock at its most visceral and unforgettable.

Since 2010, Pulp Live World has consistently brought the celebrated Orange County outfit back to the Philippines, cementing the country as one of the band’s strongest fan bases in Asia. Composed of vocalist Cove Reber, guitarists Beau Burchell and Phil Sgrosso, bassist Chris Sorenson and drummer Alex Rodriguez, Saosin emerged as one of the defining acts of the MySpace era and a major force in the emo/screamo movement — though the band’s sound has always stretched far beyond genre labels. Songs such as You’re Not Alone, It’s Far Better To Learn and Seven Years remain enduring anthems for longtime fans, making their Manila and Cebu stops for the Celebrating 20 Years of Self-Titled Southeast Asian Tour 2026 feel especially significant.

The band’s first-ever show in Cebu, held at Sky Hall Seaside on May 4, proved just how deep that connection runs. Opening with I Can Tell and Translating The Name, Saosin wasted no time igniting the crowd, who sang and screamed along throughout the set. The performances were anchored by tracks from the band’s beloved 2006 self-titled album, with fans embracing every moment. By the afternoon of the Manila show, both VIP A and General Admission tickets at Skydome had already sold out — a testament not only to the band’s staying power, but also to the timeless pull of emotionally charged rock music.

“There’s an unexplainable energy here in Manila, and I wish you all could feel what we’re feeling onstage,” Burchell told the crowd, moments before another deafening wave of cheers erupted across the venue. As the final stop of their Southeast Asian run, the Manila show carried an extra level of intensity, with the band delivering a relentless, high-energy set from beginning to end. Rodriguez’s explosive drumming stood out throughout the night, while the group’s chemistry and stamina kept the momentum soaring with barely a pause between songs.

More than just a concert, it became a shared release between band and audience — the kind of live music experience that leaves fans walking out exhilarated, hoarse, and already longing for the next one. For those inside Skydome that night, the “Saosin experience” was less about nostalgia and more about proof that some bands — and some songs — never lose their impact.

Incidentally, the night before, Pulp Live World also mounted a show by emo mainstays Hawthorne Heights, whose iconic anthem Ohio Is For Lovers remains a crowd favorite among fans worldwide.

Shows like these, mounted by Pulp Live World, in cooperation with Skesh Entertainment, go beyond sheer spectacle. They serve as a reminder of the power of live music to unite generations of fans through songs that continue to resonate long after the final encore.

Cheers to a successful concert and the strong bond of the band as well as with the crowd.