SB19’s 'Simula at Wakas' Was a Show for the Ages
Ppop kings SB19 kicked off their “Simula at Wakas: World Tour” at the 55,000-seat Philippine Arena last weekend. The juggernaut five-piece group continued to break records by selling out their Day 1 show on May 31 in just seven hours, prompting the group to open a second date (June 1).
Tens of thousands of fans—from hardcore A’Tins to casual listeners to celebrity fans—flocked to Bulacan despite the threat of rain and the scorching heat.
Such support from fans deserve the best, and SB19 delivered beyond expectations.
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“Simula at Wakas” is an ode to SB19’s legacy, with over two hours of various tracks from their nearly seven years of being a musical powerhouse. From their entrance with the powerful “What?” to the final epic “DAM,” SB19 showed exactly why they remain leaders of the Ppop movement and inspiration for other acts.
The show itself was a grand theatrical spectacle, staged against a breathtaking set with a tree that any longtime fan would recognize. Framed by video sequences that tell a haunting and fantasy-inspired tale of beginnings, downfalls, and rebirth—mirroring SB19’s journey so far—the entire show combined high-energy choreography and stunning visuals with an amazing live band and signature live vocals of each of the members.
And they did it all with no special guest performers. It was all about SB19.
What made this concert worth it, especially for fans who have long held their songs close to their heart, was the reinvention that the boys infused into the show. They molded new things out of the old, including a ballad rendition of the EDM classic “Moonlight.” Global hit “Gento, which became a viral hip-hop anthem, was imbued with layers of rock and roll. In fan-favorite “Bazinga,” the so-called “Vocal Line” switched parts with the so-called “Rap Line,” breaking industry divides of Vocalists versus Rappers and proving that all five members are actually triple-threat all-rounders.
More than the spectacle and sheer musical talent, what set the concert apart is the heart it was founded upon. The glue that held the concert was the undercurrent of sincerity covering an entire spectrum of emotions. Josh opened up about his father as they segued into “MAPA.” In the middle of a song, Ken drew for a young fan who has autism, with a message, “You are loved.” Justin and Stell brought heartwarming humor. And Pablo, staunch leader, laid out encouraging words throughout. It was the connection and relatability to A’Tin, the fandom, that elevated the concert into something powerful.
The concert was an ode not just to themselves, their family, and their fans, but to the Filipino people.
“Simula at Wakas” was historic not just for SB19 but also for Philippine music; it showed that we are capable of producing world-class talent that can sell out the world’s largest indoor stadium. Clearly the world is our stage, and SB19 is leading the way.
And lead they will, as the group proceeds to Taipei by the end of June followed by cross-continental shows for the rest of the year.
“The world is yours SB19,” declared a message carried by a plane that flew over the venue on Day 1. Truer words have never been spoken.
