Alexander O’Connor, best known as Rex Orange County, performed at the Mall of Asia Arena in a concert Aug. 20 alongside opening acts Over October and Maki. The British singer/songwriter and producer performed hits such as “Best Friend,” “Pluto Projector,” “Sunflower,” and his latest single “Indecision (feat. Daniel Caesar).”
Hours before the concert, O’Connor released the single with Daniel Caesar, with whom he had previously collaborated on “Rearrange My World” and “There’s a Field (That’s Only Yours).” Aside from this, he co-wrote and co-produced a few tracks from Caesar’s album, “Son of Spergy.”
“Indecision” highlights O’Connor’s poignant and sincere storytelling, complemented by Caesar’s melodic, soulful vocals. The song explores the feeling of being stuck in limbo, uncertain about a relationship. It also came with a music video featuring both artists strolling through a field in Montana, shot on 35mm film.
On the day of the concert, pop-alternative rock band Over October kicked off the show with “Dahan,” “123,” “Kaakit-akit,” and “If You Change Your Mind.” Following this, they serenaded the audience with their latest single, “Manatili,” and closed the set with their hit, “Ikot.”
Alternative city-pop singer Maki then took the stage with “Kahel na langit,” “Kailan?,” and “Habangbuhay pansamantala.” He also looked back on the time when he covered Rex Orange County songs and gratefully shared how surreal it was to finally perform on the same stage as the artist. Afterward, he sang “Dilaw,” ending the performance with “Saan?,” tweaking lyrics to fit the Rex Orange County show.
Finally, Rex Orange County took the stage and commenced the show with hard-hitting, upbeat tracks “Television,” “Amazing,” and “The Shade,” earning roaring cheers from the audience. Following the opening sing-along moments, he shifted to steadier beats with “Never Enough,” “One in a Million,” and “Face to Face.”
O’Connor engaged with attendees from every corner of the arena, creating an immersive experience that heightened the excitement. Even in an arena filled with thousands of fans, he maintained a sense of closeness with his Filipino fans. He also switched between guitar and keyboard during the set, complementing the shifting moods and showcasing his versatility as a performer.
To make the evening more special, O’Connor delivered a reflective and atmospheric performance of “Indecision.” Right after, he filled the arena with a warm, nostalgic ambience as he performed “Pluto Projector,” and fans followed suit, raising their orange lights. He continued solo with the more introspective and stripped-back songs “Belly,” “Untitled,” and fan-favorite “Corduroy Dreams.”
As the band returned to the stage, O’Connor serenaded the crowd with “Rearrange My World.” Surprisingly, he performed an unreleased song entitled “Boyfriend,” another romantic piece that highlights the clarinet. The singer followed with “Always,” demonstrating his polished vocals while playing the keyboard.
Elevating the energy in the arena, he performed his feel-good single “Take A Drive” live for the first time. Shortly after, the crowd instantly cheered as they heard the first beats of “Loving Is Easy.” The song had fans across the arena, including those in the seated sections, on their feet, singing and dancing along.
Nearing the end of the show, O’Connor showed appreciation to his bandmates, who delivered stellar performances on trumpet, saxophone, flute, drums, guitar, and bass. He expressed his delight at performing with his band again, more than a year after their last concert. Afterward, he commended the audience for their enthusiastic energy from start to finish.
To further boost the momentum, he followed up with the crowd favorites “Sunflower” and “Best Friend,” as attendees sang along to every lyric and jumped to the iconic tracks. Not long after the artist left the stage, the crowd called for an encore.
O’Connor returned and further expressed his appreciation to his Filipino fans, promising to return to the country. Afterward, he presented a more vulnerable side with “Happiness,” ending the night with “4 Seasons.”
The concert was Rex Orange County’s exclusive Asia show, presented by Lalalafest and Wilbros Live just a day before Lalalafest’s Manila edition. Aside from the arena show, O’Connor connected with select fans through a relaxed backstage performance called “Live with Leo,” named after his Filipino fan. Rex Orange County has held a series of intimate gigs across the UK, bringing the concept to Southeast Asia and offering select Filipino fans a more personal experience with the artist.
