Everyone has a list of artists they must, like absolutely must, see live and for me, DPR was at the top of mine. And after an incredible two hours of sonic and visual overload, I knew exactly why I had put them there all those years ago. 

The Korean music collective made their way to Manila for the very first time last week (30 November) as part of their highly anticipated Regime Tour. Featuring performances from DPR Cream, DPR Live, and DPR IAN, as well as a short appearance from DPR Cline, the concert was teased to be unlike anything the DPR team has ever had before—and boy, were they right. 

Presented by Karpos Multimedia at The Filinvest Tent in Alabang, DPR presented a show straight out of our dreams, the kind that still had you a little dazed as you made your way home. There were giant astronauts, angel wings, snowfall, roses, and so much more packed onto a simple stage. 

A COLOURFUL DREAM

Just as the excitement was peaking, the venue was painted in blue lights and filled with the sounds of ‘billboard uwu’ to welcome Cream on stage. The producer, despite only being on stage for less than 10 minutes, kicked off the show on an absolute high. The anticipation grew as Cream played the right beats and melodies, setting the right energy for the party that was about to ensue. 

Soonthenafter, Live emerged on stage like a superstar, running up to epic sounds of ‘LEGACY’ and the eager screams of fans. It’s always so exciting finally see the artist you’ve been waiting for materialise right in front of you, but the aura that Live brought was so much more intense and all-encompassing. 

The rapper brought a party, complete with inflatable floaties, a giant astronaut (that waved goodbye, how cute), and pink wigs. The energy never faltered, even when he slowed things down with ‘TO WHOEVER’ and ‘KISS ME’. Throughout his performance, Live created an atmosphere that allowed people to dance and get lost in his performance. It was liberating to witness and be a part of. 

Live’s stage presence was insane in the best way possible, even as he simply stood to rap out his verses, it was hard to keep your eyes off him. He performed his crowd favourites ‘Hula Hoop’, ‘Jasmine’, ‘Text Me’, ‘Summer Tights’, and ‘Martini Blue’, often breaking in between to interact with the crowd and share more about himself—like how his first crush was actually a Filipina.

Live closed out his set by bringing on Cline to perform the ever-powerful ‘Set It Off’, which got everyone jumping and brought up the energy to heights like never before. 

Ian closed out the latter half of the show by bringing his conceptual and revealing album series, MITO, to life. I’ve seen a couple of parts and clips of his set since the tour kicked off earlier this year, but I tried my best to keep that element of surprise and wonderment intact knowing that Ian never does anything without it being an entire spectacle.

Ian began his set in darkness, with quick flashes of light illuminating the venue just long enough for you to make out his mythical silhouette on stage before it was pitch black once again. The crescendo of ‘MITO’ signalled powerful beams of light as Ian rose up with a pair of enormous angel wings (a fact I proceeded to tell everyone I encountered from that point on in delightful disbelief). It was at that moment I knew that no amount of videos or pictures could prepare you for what he had in store. 

From there on, it was a theatrical and dramatic showcase of heart and artistry as he performed off of ‘Dope Lovers’, ‘Miss Understood’, ‘1 Shot’, ‘Avalon’, ‘Winterfell’, and more, breaking each song with inspiring spiels to chase after your dreams and face your fears.

A highlight, as if the entire set isn’t worth mentioning in exquisite detail, was definitely ‘Calico’ which featured a bass solo from the multi-talented man himself and—a personal favourite—that giant hand grabbing Ian into the abyss. 

THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS

If you had told me that I would be stunned by a white sheet floating and waving in the air at a DPR concert, I would have never believed you… I mean, at a DPR concert? But it’s true. 

The level of production that went into the Regime Tour is incredible. From simple yet impactful details like a white sheet ever so gracefully waving through the air as Live performed ‘KISS ME’ to massive props that leave you in awe like that huge hand that grabbed Ian right after ‘Ribbon’, there was so much care and thought that went into every aspect of the show. Much like live theatre, the team decided to forego videos and digital backdrops, adding a physical element to the show that made it so much more enchanting.

It’s no secret that the members of DPR know how to tell a story. You see it in the music they make and the videos they produce, but it’s an entirely different thing to see it come together before for your very eyes.

Every aspect of the show was executed to a T (thank you DPR REM!). There were so many details that could have gone unnoticed but not in the hands of a crew as artistic and precise as DPR. As a result, it was as if every performance turned into a multi-sensory experience. 

DPR WE GANG GANG

Of course, no DPR concert is complete without a performance of Live’s ‘To Myself’ with the entire crew. It was oddly enough a cathartic experience. I’ve seen videos of this specific segment of the show from previous stops of their tour and I was so excited to be part of it and now that it was here, it felt so surreal. 

Even as I write this, I still feel like it doesn’t encapsulate the magic of the Regime Tour. Til this moment, almost a week after the concert, it’s still hard to reel back from such an otherworldly show. There was a lot to take in but there was one thing very clear, no one is doing it like DPR. 

DPR in Manila Setlist:

• billboard uwu - DPR Cream
• Problems - DPR Cream
• LEGACY - DPR Live
• NEON - DPR Live
• S.O.S - DPR Live
• TO WHOEVER - DPR Live
• thirst - DPR Live
• Cheese & Wine - DPR Live
• Laputa - DPR Live
• Venus - DPR Live
• KISS ME - DPR Live
• Jasmine - DPR Live
• Jam & Butterfly - DPR Live
• Yellow Cab - DPR Live
• Summer Tights - DPR Live
• Text Me - DPR Live
• Hula Hoops - DPR Live
• Martini Blue - DPR Live ft. DPR Cline
• MITO - DPR IAN
• So Beautiful - DPR IAN
• Mood - DPR IAN
• Dope Lovers - DPR IAN
• Miss Understood - DPR IAN
• Avalon - DPR IAN
• Calico - DPR IAN
• Sometimes I'm - DPR IAN
• 1 Shot - DPR IAN
• Scaredy Cat - DPR IAN
• Ribbon - DPR IAN
• Mr. Insanity - DPR IAN
• Winterfell - DPR IAN
• Nerves - DPR IAN
• No Blueberries - DPR IAN ft. DPR Live
• Ballroom Extravangaza - DPR IAN
• To Myself - DPR Live