Celebrating 16 years of music with Filipino fans

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the maine, the maine the sweet sixteen tour in manila

The Maine performs a long set featuring songs from each of their nine studio albums, showing the audience the band’s evolution through the years all in one night

MANILA, Philippines – If there’s one thing that The Maine has mastered apart from creating great music, it’s knowing how to put on a great show. 

The Maine has been coming to the Philippines since 2012 to stage shows for their Filipino listeners. While the songs on The Maine’s discography grow in number and the setlists for each concert are switched up with each passing year, there are a few things that have never really changed.

From the time they were formed in 2007, the members of The Maine have always committed themselves to show their fans – from the first thousand to the first million – that they see and hear them, and that they wouldn’t be where they are now without their unwavering support. 

In a 2017 piece, The Maine reflected on the rocky journey they embarked on as a band, and how their fans remained by their side through it all.  

“Through all of those twists and turns, however, our fans kept showing up. They kept buying albums, kept interacting online, kept growing the 8123 family, and most importantly, they kept listening. This helped us discover who we truly are as a band,” the essay read. 

Today, this statement still rings true for the band and its loyal base of listeners. Aptly, the “Into Your Arms” hitmakers brought their The Sweet Sixteen Tour to Manila for a two-day celebration of 16 years of The Maine’s music — made even more memorable by their Filipino fans. 

16 years of The Maine

Rappler attended the first day of the Manila leg on Friday, September 27, where The Maine performed a long set featuring songs from each of their nine studio albums. With this, audiences were able to witness the band’s evolution through the years all in one night.

BACK IN MANILA. Cold sparks go off during Day 1 of The Maine’s ‘The Sweet Sixteen Tour’ in Manila. Photo by Juno Reyes/Rappler

Members John, Jared, Garrett, Kennedy, and Pat took fans back in time with old favorites like “Right Girl,” “Everything I Ask For,” and “Forever Halloween,” among others — evoking a wave of nostalgia in everyone there. 

The Maine also balanced their classic hits with tracks that showcased their new sound, which you can’t really box into just one genre. There was “Sticky” from their 2021 album XOXO: From Love & Anxiety In Real Time, the 2022 single “Loved You A Little,” and “Touch,” their latest track that was just released in July this year. 

The band also dedicated their performance of “Like We Did (Windows Down)” to the fans present on Friday. “This song is dedicated to only you,” The Maine’s vocalist John said. 

More than anything, however, it was made clear that The Maine wasn’t just there to breeze through their entire setlist and call it a night. They wanted everyone to have a good time, and they made it a point to ensure that everyone did just that. 

There for a good time

For one, in between songs, the band asked the audience to let loose and dance and sing as much as they could. 

“Even if you don’t know the words, you better sing as loud as everybody else,” John told the audience at one point.

The Maine’s front man even sang several tracks while in the pit with the audience, making it apparent that fun was a mutual feeling among everyone there.  

They also constantly asked fans to put their phones away for a moment so they could experience the concert in all its glory. 

“You do whatever you want, but I would encourage everybody to put their cell phones away so we can experience this right now in the room by ourselves, okay? You don’t have to do it, it’s up to you,” John said. 

While it’s always tempting to film every second of whatever show we’re attending so we have something to look back on later, it was still amazing to see most of the audience actually switch their screens off for a moment to enjoy the night. 

And that enjoyment showed in the crowd’s energy. During the show, The Maine’s bassist Garrett held up a noise detector to measure how loud the fans’ cheers were. Filipino fans easily beat the highest record of 116 previously held by Singapore – registering a score of 122. 

Genuine connections

The Maine’s effort to connect with their fans has always remained the same through the years. John quickly signed merch in between songs, and after their performance, the band’s drummer Pat gave away several of his drumsticks to the crowd. 

But one of the most memorable moments from the concert was when the band spotted a fan with tattoos of The Maine and had him go up onstage to sing “Girls Do What They Want” with them. Even though it was just one lucky fan who was given the opportunity to share the stage with The Maine, the rest of the fans present were supportive as ever — continually chanting his name up until he went back down to his spot in the crowd. 


The Maine in Manila: Celebrating 16 years of music with Filipino fans

As the end of the concert neared, The Maine also thanked everyone who was there — regardless of whether they had been going to their Manila shows for years or it was their first time catching them live that night. 

“All because you showed up for the last decade,” John exclaimed. 

CHEERS TO 16 YEARS! Confetti goes off as The Maine performs its last song for Day 1 of its ‘The Sweet Sixteen Tour’ in Manila. Photo by Juno Reyes/Rappler

And as The Maine celebrates 16 years of music and counting, it’s safe to say that they’ll always be assured of a loyal fan base in their Filipino listeners. – Rappler.com

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