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#FangirlGigs: NIKI's 'Nicole' sold-out Manila show was a night of heartbreak and party in one

By Melanie Uson Published Sep 15, 2023 11:52 am

The “Nicole” Manila concert made the Filipino Moonchildren cry, dance, and sing to all the heartbreaking lyrics—and we wouldn't have it any other way. 

NIKI, whose real name is Nicole Zefanya, first visited the Philippines in December 2022 during the “Head In The Clouds” festival along with other 88rising artists such as Rich Brian, Jackson Wang, Warren Hue, and the country’s very own Ylona Garcia. 

After selling out her first solo concert in Manila in minutes, NIKI's Filipino fans continued to show their support on the day of the show—from the blue and white light sticks to the y2k and High School in Jakarta-inspired concert fits, and their roof-level energy from start to finish as they sang and danced the night with NIKI’s hit songs.  

Despite starting past eight, the arena was already buzzing with excitement especially when the lights turned blue and NIKI came on the stage. She opened the show with a bang by singing Before and Keeping Tabs as fans belted out every heartbreaking and relatable lyric and danced along.

Being the performer that she is, NIKI amused the crowd not just with her vocals, but also with her grooves especially when she set the stage on fire with the song Selene. 

During the short break, the 24-year-old Indonesian singer greeted Filipino Moonchildren with “Mabuhay!” 

Melanie Uson / PhilSTAR L!fe

“You guys, it’s so good to be back in Manila, playing my first-ever headline arena show ever in my career. And you guys sold it out in like, minutes,” she said. “Thank you so, so much, this would be nothing without you.” 

“And most importantly, I just want you guys to know that tonight is urs.” 

She went on to perform her hits urs, Autumn, and Backburner—where the crowd made sure to scream the lyrics, “You'd think I'd be a fast learner, but guess I won't ever mind crisping up on your backburner.” 

The only moment the arena went quiet was when NIKI was singing Anaheim. It almost seemed like the crowd was letting the lyrics and her vocals give comfort and at the same time, pain. 

NIKI made sure to make her Filipino Moonchildren special, granting their request to perform Take a Chance with Me, which was not included in her setlist. “You guys better sing,” she quipped. 

NIKI also got a little personal in introducing her song, The Apartment We Won't Share. 

“This next song, I wrote about, you know, kind of being really sad that you’re the, how do I say this?” she said. “Being sad that the ‘what is’ is less cool than the ‘what if.’” 

“You know, you imagine a future with somebody. A certain future and you don’t live it out,” she continued. “So sometimes, you get sad, and you hole up in your room and you write a song about it. And I did that.” 

Melanie Uson / PhilSTAR L!fe

She went on to perform her songs Around, Lose, Facebook Friends, a crowd favorite La La Lost You, and Split. 

The arena then got filled with a white ocean, while the crowd sang along to Oceans & Engines, which she said was her “saddest song on the set.” 

The mood then shifted back to “party mode” as NIKI performed High School in Jakarta, donning a bedazzled school uniform along with her live band. 

Not letting go of the hyped-up crowd, she performed the rock version of her hit song Lowkey, ended strong with Every Summertime, and bid goodbye by saying, “Mahal Kita.” 

Hearing NIKI in speakers and headphones is comforting at its best, but nothing beats the joy of seeing her perform live—from doing lots of dancing to singing her songs that hit home, all while singing our hearts out with thousands of other Moonchildren who waited for this moment to come.

TAGS: concert NIKI Fangirl Gigs Nicole World Tour

About the author

Melanie Uson

Melanie Uson is a content producer and a fur mom. When she’s not drowning in deadlines, she is most likely watching sitcoms, crocheting, or thrift-flipping clothes.