The Bootleg Beatles Live: Beatlemania Hits Manila at Full Blast
Ask anyone around if they know a Beatles song When in Manila and surely they will know at least a couple. That’s how big the Beatles are with songs from way back in the 60s that remain relevant to today’s generation. Sadly, young fans like me will never experience what it’s like to see them live…
…but thankfully, there is an alternative: The Bootleg Beatles. This highly-acclaimed tribute band was formed in 1980 and currently consists of Adam Hastings (John), Andre Barreau (George), Hugo Degenhardt (Ringo), and Steve White (Paul). The band aims to give Beatles fans an accurate imitation of what a Beatles live performance could have been like, for old and new fans alike.
The Bootleg Beatles
On the 19th of January 2014, The Bootleg Beatles paid a visit to the Philippines and played three shows: one in Davao and two in Manila. Within the two hours of their show, they performed and dressed up according to the different eras of the Beatles.
With their grey suits, the Bootleg Beatles performed hits the early hits, like Can’t Buy Me Love, A Hard Day’s Night, Help!, and Penny Lane.
Steve White as Paul, singing Yesterday.
From grey suits they changed to their colorful mock soldier uniforms as they played songs from the Sgt. Pepper era like Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, With a Little Help from My Friends, and the funky Come Together.
Their final costume stages had them dress up as the Beatles did in the late stages of the group (most noticeably John’s long hair, round glasses and white attire), and sang songs like Here Comes the Sun, Let It Be, and the electrifying Hey Jude.
Peace signs were being waved as the band sang All You Need is Love.
Andre Barreau having fun as George Harrison.
It was a truly magical night as these lads rocked the roof off Solaire with an impressively accurate imitation of the group we all know and love. When in Manila, the 60s may be over, but the legacy of the Beatles lives on. The Bootleg Beatles may not be the real thing but they sure as hell look and sound like the real thing!
