It was a major treat seeing the Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter Richard Marx played his own material, primarily on guitar and piano, at his Saturday night show at the Kia Theatre, Araneta Centre in Cubao, Quezon City.
In a show that lasted an hour and 15 minutes, the gifted Chicago native who has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide, performed and delivered his catalogue of hits as he joked between songs or shared some stories in a relaxed mood.
The hopeless romantic and well-acclaimed producer was flawless all night. But it was obvious that it was his biggest songs that most pleased and wowed the crowd.
Extremely Satisfied
He began with three of those hits, opening with a soothing version “Endless Summer Nights,” then moved right into his next song “Take This Heart” and “Satisfied”. That was also the first song on which he requested the crowd to join and sing-along with him — even on a high note, as he slyly smiled.
One of the highlights of the show was when Marx played and sang along to a video of his three kids supplying supplementary drums, guitar/vocals and keyboard for the song “Save Me” to the crowd’s amusement.
The legendary crooner also told a story about an NYSNC fan who approached to tell him that her Mom was a big fan of his.
Other standouts in Saturday’s set include his performance of Josh Groban’s “To Where You Are” (written by Marx), “Dance With My Father” (a song that he co-wrote with the late Luther Vandross), and “This I Promise You” (his tune written for NSYNC), of course.
And sure, the charming crooner saved some of the best for last, including “Hold On to the Nights,” “Don’t Mean Nothing” and finally ending with “Right Here Waiting”, where he got a standing ovation. Marx came back to perform two encore songs as the crowd sang, clapped and whooped.
Presented by Midas Promotions, here is the full setlist of Richard Marx The Solo Tour in the Philippines.
1. “Endless Summer Nights”
2. “Take This Heart”
3. “Satisfied”
4. “Keep Coming Back”
5. “Hazard”
6. “Chains Around My Heart”
7. “Until I Find You Again”
8. “To Where You Are”
9. “Dance With My Father”
10. “This I Promise You”
11. “Save Me”
12. “Angelia”
13. “Should’ve Known Better”
14. “Hold On To The Nights”
15. “Now and Forever”
16. “Don’t Mean Nothing”
17. “Right Here Waiting”
Photos by Jude Ng
